Issues in ERP-based distance education engineering curriculum pilot

This paper presents a pilot currently under way at the Carlos III University Polytechnic School to evaluate the feasibility and benefits of extending the current ERP-based integrated industrial engineering curriculum approach to web-based distance education. Major potential benefits to be tested in the pilot have been identified as: increased learner-content and learner-learner interaction; better curriculum integration; higher real-world content leading to improved applicability. Major stumbling blocks found include: technical issues in providing adequate and secure access to ERP from heterogeneous locations and platforms; remote support and training issues, given the "entry barrier" posed by the complexity of the ERP system; training case design and administration; adequate pedagogical design of the integration among subjects that belong to distinct scientific domains. The logistics course of the Electronic Commerce online master program will be used as a testbed.