Contest Based Learning with Blending Software Engineering and Business Management: For Students´ High Motivation and High Practice Ability

We began implementing contest-based learning with a blend of software engineering and business management 10 years ago. At first, a project subject was assigned. However, several problems occurred: For example, the students became absorbed in programming rather than design and analysis activities. Therefore, the curriculum changed from project subjects to contest-based learning. Business management, marketing, and accounting subjects were added to the new curriculum, and students made information technology (IT) business plans using their knowledge of software engineering and business management. The IT business plans were submitted to various contests held by public newspaper companies and the federation of economic organizations in Japan. As a result, in the 10 years of the contest-based learning implementation, 20 teams have received awards in various IT business plan contests. We investigated 10 persons who had experience submitting business plans. We confirmed that contest-based learning had clearer goals, such as to win the contest prize, compared to project-based learning. Further, the abilities to solve problems and to investigate increased more in comparison with lecture-style and project-style education.