Title :
Group-based software engineering in an introductory computer science course
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Comput. Sci., Worcester Polytech. Inst., MA, USA
Abstract :
The author has explored the use of peer learning in a large, introductory data structures course within a computer science curriculum. The principal peer learning activities are group programming projects where each student group gains first-hand experience in working with others and putting into practice the basic concepts of software design and engineering. The paper describes the use of group programming projects in the course and provides the experience with them in three instances of the course over a four year period. Overall, they have found the introduction of group programming projects in this large introductory course to be beneficial to students in gaining first-hand experience with a large programming project, which both motivates the need for and provides initial experience with good software engineering principles
Keywords :
computer science education; data structures; educational courses; programming; software engineering; computer science curriculum; group programming projects; group-based software engineering; introductory computer science course; large introductory data structures course; large programming project; peer learning; software design; Computer science; Data structures; Design engineering; Laboratories; Large-scale systems; Programming profession; Project management; Software design; Software engineering; Software testing;
Conference_Titel :
Software Engineering: Education & Practice, 1998. Proceedings. 1998 International Conference
Conference_Location :
Dunedin
Print_ISBN :
0-8186-8828-9
DOI :
10.1109/SEEP.1998.707630