Making a Case for Change Management Theory to Support IS/IT Curriculum Innovation

The complex and dynamic nature of the IS discipline and field poses an ongoing challenge for IS educators in terms of both what and how they teach. Responses to the curriculum challenge are many and varied, resulting in a diversity of approaches through which IS academics and educators attempt to manage the tension between current industry demands and good academic practice, while taking cognizance of the future developmental needs of IS graduates during their careers. Many of the curriculum innovations or pedagogical choices require significant changes to the teaching and learning environment for both student and teacher, resulting in programs or courses that, despite careful planning, sound pedagogical decisions and good intentions, do not fully deliver the desired or expected results. This work-in-progress paper explores the idea of adapting business change management and organizational development principles and frameworks to guide the curriculum design and implementation process. An undergraduate selfdirected learning experience provides the context for reflection and an experimental thinking ground.