APPLYING SOFT SYSTEMS METHODOLOGY (SSM) FOR DESIGNING MALAY LANGUAGE LEARNING PORTAL

Abstract

In today’s fast moving world of technology, we often hear the word portal is used. But not many know the meaning of the word portal. The speculation between a website and a portal has motivated me to open up the differences and the real meaning of a portal and the reason why the term portal has to be used instead of the term website. A Campus Portal is an exciting recent phenomenon forming part of the new generation of online services for all stakeholders in institutions of higher education. Conceptually the general notion of a Portal should be to be distinguished from that of other Web-based applications and the traditional Intranet of the institution. The major objective of this research is to apply a software development methodology called Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) in developing a Malay Language Learning Portal. The SSM has some unique characteristics that can be applied in the development of a user friendly campus portal. While there are many accepted development methodologies for traditional and Web-based Information Systems, no clear body of knowledge on the development of Campus Portals has yet been recognized. Additionally, as this is a new area, the definitions, terms, concepts and important issues agreed to by academic researchers and practitioners, are still evolving. This research, therefore, needs to clarify and identify some important issues regarding the Malay Language Learning curve for the foreign students. This learning curve has to be something which is flexible for their usage and something which is effortless for them to access. A set of research questions were put forward to drive further investigation into design and implementation issues regarding the customization functions of Malay Language Campus Portal among foreign students. In the final phase of the research, the review of existing development methodologies is gone through. Finally, the most appropriate development methodology which is iii SSM was selected. The outcome from this research was the implementation of the Malay Language Learning Portal which I designed using the SSM methodology which has supported the requirements identified in this research as critical for the development the Malay Language Learning Portal.