This paper describes the experiences of Victoria University in adopting and adapting web-based technology to enhance the teaching of SAP’s ABAP programming language. The involvement of SAP relates to Victoria University integrating Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems into their curricula and research programs through a strategic alliance with SAP. The SAP technical infrastructure facilitates the development of courses using Internet technology and has particular suitability to the teaching of pro- gramming. This paper describes the Web-based technologies used and how they have been adapted to improve both the teaching of programming and management of assessment.

Each technology is discussed and advantages identified with possible future research developments put forward. Keywords: Computer Programming, Enterprise Resource Planning Systems, SAP, ABAP, Internet, Web technologies. Introduction There have been a number of studies, which have attempted to identify Information Systems (IS) graduate skills and the resultant curriculum. The IS’97 Model Curriculum and the more recent revised curriculum IS2002 (Davis et al 1997) was a collaborative development between industry and academia. The model provided guidelines and resources to facilitate the development of quality undergraduate IS curriculum. An important component of both curricula is computer programming and the structures involved. Computer programming still remains an important part of most Information Systems courses. However the emphasis today is on teaching programming concepts and style and using programming languages to support this objective. Most IS courses include an introductory subject on basic programming concepts and basic problem solving. Educationalists believe that the language chosen should be based on its ability to convey enduring concepts and to demonstrate fundamental programming techniques (Johnson, 1995). Once students have grasped a basic understanding of programming concepts and techniques, such skills can be used as a basis to learning application development in its various guises from developing database applications using SQL to designing web applications using Java. The Information Systems discipline has a business focus where information systems requirements are matched to an organization’s objectives. It is important for students to realise the link between organizational objectives and application development, and IS curriculum should reflect this link. It is often difficult to extend a student’s basic knowledge of programming techniques into a business setting. Providing a business environment would allow students to apply and extend their algorithm….

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