On evaluating the use of Zachman framework in computer science and information systems classes

Enterprise Architecture (EA) is concerned with how an organization's assets are to be utilized to obtain a set of desired information technology outcomes. The Zachman Framework (ZF) has started the studies in EA. ZF provides an effective meta-model for large scale information systems by means of a set of architectures. ZF has essentially become an indispensable component of any Information Systems (IS) related field. While ZF has been pervasively used in the private and public sectors, to the best of our knowledge, it has found almost no place, other than only one limited application, in computing classrooms, as reported in the literature. In this paper, we report the first proposal to make use of the ZF in many Computer Science (CS) and IS courses. We describe how we have incorporated it in a database class at a 4-year institution and forensics and network intrusion classes at a community college. We present assessment results showing promising results for improved student learning based student self-reported responses. Pedagogically, our application is grounded in the Gagnes Conditions of Learning, the Instructional Design Theory, and a goal-oriented methodology.