ISOM Faculty Recognized for Excellence

Anand Jeyaraj Assistant Professor of Information Systems and Operations Dr. Jeyaraj received an excellence in teaching award from SOCHE for his innovative use of technology in the classroom

Assistant Professor Jeyaraj holds a Ph.D. in Business Administration with an emphasis in information systems from the University of Missouri, St. Louis.  He also holds a Master’s degree in Management Information Systems from the University of Missouri, St. Louis and a Master’s degree in Computer Science from Bishop Heber College, India.  He has been an instructor for 15 years teaching classes in computer science and information systems in both India and the United States.  He has also worked as a programmer, analyst, and developer for several years. His primary research interests are in the area of information systems with overlaps in organization behavior, influence tactics, and social networks. He has conducted research in a number of organizations on the adoption, diffusion, and assimilation of information systems.  His research has been published in leading journals such as Management Science, Communications of the ACM, and Journal of Information Technology.  He has also presented his research at various conferences including the Americas Conference on Information Systems, Diffusion Interest Group in Information Technology, and the Annual Conference of the Academy of Management.  He is an active member of the Association for Information Systems (AIS), the Academy of Management, and the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS). 

Dr. Shu Schiller’s article on teaching tools using second life technology appeared as the cover story in Technology First magazine. View the issue at http://www.daytonitalliance.org/technology.php
Shu Schiller, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Information Systems and Operations Management Dr. Schiller received recognition for her innovative use of second life technology to support teaching and learning.  Second Life is a 3D multi user interactive virtual environment on the Internet. The graphical rich environment is highly immersive and interactive and is almost as complex as the real world. Avatars engage in various real-life activities, such as attending classes and shopping at stores, as well as designing and building architect and experimenting inventions. Second Life was released as a commercial product by the Linden Lab in June 2003. Since then, Second Life has rapidly gained a total of 12.2 million residents by January 2008.

Second Life is holds promise for business to extend their reach into virtual space. Many virtual businesses such as fashion shops and holiday resorts are making real dollars in Second Life by providing digital products and services. Meanwhile, educators and researchers are among the first to examine the impacts of Second Life on education and to facilitate teaching and learning activities in Second Life. So far, more than 200 universities, museums, and research centers have a presence in Second Life.  Second Life was introduced for the first time at Wright State in Dr. Schiller’s MBA course: Information Technology & Business Transformation. The purpose of the Second Life project was to engage students in learning and discussions of doing virtual business and earning real money through interactive multi-user environment, a fast growing place beyond traditional electronic business. In winter 2008, the Second Life project became collaborative between multiple universities; each student from Wright State University had a virtual partner at Iowa State University and worked on team projects together in Second Life. Students have shown great interest in the project and have participated with enormous enthusiasm and excitement. Dr. Schiller, was also awarded the 2008 Award of Innovative Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Technology at Wright State University.  Her article was also the cover story in January 2008 issue of Technology First. 

Dr. Schiller holds a Ph.D. Degree in Business Administration with the concentration in management information systems from the Fox School of Business and Management at Temple University. She obtained her Master's Degree in Management Science and Bachelor's Degree in Engineering Science at Beijing Institute of Technology. Before she came to the U.S., she worked at the TopSun Network & Computer Technology Company in Beijing, as a system analyst, development programmer and project manager. Her research interests include Internet services, computer-mediated communication, virtual teams, and social and psychological impacts of information systems on individuals and groups. Her dissertation at the Irwin L. Gross eBusiness Institute at Temple University researched innovations in live chat customer service for online customers. Her early publications appeared in referred Chinese journals covering various topics on enterprise resource planning systems. Her latest publications have been included in proceedings of the Americas Conference on Information Systems and forthcoming in the Journal of Small Group Research.