TEACHING DSS: TRUDGING THROUGH DIRTY DATAON THE PATH TO MODEL BASED DECISION SUPPORT

We describe an integrated set of teaching modules that allow students to explore DSS topics ranging from data warehousing to model based decision support. The modules are used as part of a spreadsheet based modeling approach to teaching DSS. We describe one particular module in detail in which students are forced to deal with a “dirty dataset” as a prelude to analysis, modeling and decision support development. Practical decision support issues are discussed and suggestions given for integrating data and model based DSS concepts in the classroom.