Study Guide

Learning outcomes

The student is able to
- choose the most suitable online store solution and components for a company's operating environment
- recognise the services used in online store solutions and their interfaces
- name the factors affecting the cost effectiveness of an online store

Implementation and methods of teaching

(Note: In autumn 2020, due to the coronavirus, there are changes in course arrangements, see here for details: https://moodle.lut.fi/user/index.php?id=1827)

Group works and presentations about Online Store Solutions (eShops, eCommerce, WebShops), practical implementations (POC-like) and demonstrations. Note that this course is about Online Store Solutions, it is _not_ an online course about store solutions in general. This course is based on contact lessons and a major portion of the subject matter concentrates on how to setup, install and develop online stores from various (common) solution providers.

Timing and attendance

(Note: In autumn 2020, due to the coronavirus, there are changes in course arrangements, see here for details: https://moodle.lut.fi/user/index.php?id=1827)

Attendance to the contact sessions is very highly recommended for those with little to no computing background. This is _not_ an online course and does _not_ have extensive self-study material. Due to the "technically light" approach (when compared to fully technical courses) those with advanced computer skills from other courses are often able to complete the technical exercises with fairly little guidance. Typically the completion time for an assignment is a week, sometimes a larger assignment is assigned for two weeks.

Learning material and recommended literature

Some material and resources will be provided in Reppu as a basis for research. Instructions for the POC work are provided but they are mainly constructed to support work in the contact sessions, not for self study.

Learning environment

The material provided is targeted for the LAMK lab machines (Windows). Students will be able to bring their own laptops and all of the "major three platforms", Windows, MacOS and Linux, are supported during the contact sessions.

Student time use and work load

In addition to the work done during the contact sessions, students often have further tasks to finalize based on the work done during the session. Aside from a few more extensive technical assignments the platform required to complete those tasks will have been built already during the contact session.

Contents

Exploration of existing and current online store solutions, solution suites and extensions. How, why and via what kinds of interfaces do online store solutions interact with the solutions surrounding them. How to procure a cost effective, customer service oriented online store solution. Online store solutions development (also at a technical level).

Additional information for students: previous knowledge etc.

The course has been designed to support both beginners and advanced users of computers. Previous programming experience is _not_ a requirement though some works will benefit from such experience. Those with little to no programming experience (or technical experience in general) are _highly_ encouraged to make sure they can attend to all of the contact sessions, where technical help is mainly provided!

Assessment criteria

Produced artifacts and demonstrations will be evaluated.

Assessment scale

1-5

Failed (0)

The student gains no view of the current "state of field" in the online store solution market segment. The student cannot understand how online store solutions affect the surrounding business and is therefore unable to understand what kinds of services and interfaces the solutions should provide. The student is unable to estimate the cost effectiveness of an online store solution.

Assessment criteria: level 1 (assessment scale 1–5)

The student learns about some online store solutions and learns how to utilize them. The student understands how the online store solution affects the business environment and has some idea of how it interfaces with surrounding solutions. The student has a basic idea of how the cost effectiveness of an online store solution can be estimated.

Assessment criteria: level 3 (assessment scale 1–5)

The student learns about several online solutions with different characteristics, learns how to utilize them and understands when to utilize them. The student has a good view of how the online store solution should provide services to surrounding solutions. The student can estimate the cost effectiveness of an online store solution.

Assessment criteria: level 5 (assessment scale 1–5)

The student can name and compare several online solutions with different characteristics, the student understands how they are placed in the market for online store solutions and knows when and how to utilize them. The student understands and can take into account the interactions and services the online store solution should be capable of and knows which interfaces to use to provide them. The student can measure and evaluate the cost effectiveness of an online store solution.