Learning and information systems development-towards an integrated view of practice, research, and education

Some consequences of viewing information systems (IS) development from a learning perspective are explored. This is done by presenting a conceptual framework of human activities in the context of IS development. The framework is based on ideas of experiential learning and scientific research. It comprises four phases (creating models, applying models, creating implementations, and applying implementations), each having different focus along the dimensions of abstract-concrete, and reflective-active. The framework is used to illustrate an integrated view of practice, research, and education with the help of three brief examples. Some important issues regarding IS development raised by the framework is put forward, e.g., concerning the relation between models and direct experiences