They developed and conducted a research project that assessed the user satisfaction and effectiveness of the Ball State Web site, intranets, wireless connections, and Web security in comparison with those at Indiana University-Bloomington and Ivy Tech Community College.

Based on their analysis, they made five recommendations with ideas for implementation for Ball State Web administrators to consider.

The faculty judges noted that the rigor and ambitiousness of this undergraduate project was more like what students generally do at the graduate level.

"I believe this immersive learning project will not only help Ball State improve its Web services, but also serve future students as a good example of immersive learning and research activities in a real-world environment."

-- Dr. Jensen J. Zhao, information systems and operations professor for the Miller College of Business

Jason M. Kaleta
Major: Information systems
Hometown: Columbus, IN
Role in Project: Gathered Web security information
Aspiration: Work in the information systems field

Jennifer Langford
Major: Information Systems
Hometown: Hamilton, IN
Role in Project: Created survey and analyzed results
Aspiration: Get a master's degree in computer information and sciences

Philip J. Lash
Major: Information Systems
and Operations Management
Hometown: Stroh, IN
Role in Project: Research coordinator and data analyst
Aspiration: Work in information systems and information technlogy fields