ITEM out of WG 3.7: Is there any life out there?

Abstract

At the IFIP WG 3.7's Working Conference two years ago, we presented a paper offering a classification of the Group's published works by research topics and methodologies. The scope was exclusively internal and some conclusions about the output and future challenges were suggested. We now focus our attention externally, exploring the overall activity in the field of information technology for educational management. On the one hand, we have concentrated on practical works, mainly represented by computer applications for commercial purposes and, on the other hand, we have analysed high level theoretical works. After our review process, we became aware of the preponderance of practical activity in the field, with little support from the theoretical perspective. However, we have found a similar orientation when comparing the research topics and methodologies applied by authors in research journals with those adopted by authors who have contributed to WG 3.7.