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Improving teaching and learning for software engineering
Author
Chen, Yan Qiu
Supervisor
Chen, Ai Yen
Abstract
This project report studies various issues related to the teaching and learning of software engineering as a final year undergraduate subject. The objectives are to provide the students with better teaching service and learning environment and the focus is to facilitate the students to learn and master skills and higher-order thinking ability. The issues discussed in the thesis include subject knowledge structure, student motivation, teaching and learning methods, and assessment techniques.
A questionnaire has been designed and a survey using the questionnaire has been conducted to collect student perception and expectation on these issues. Informal interviews as well as the Study Process Questionnaire have also been used as auxiliary instruments for collecting further information from the students.
The knowledge structure of the subject software engineering is analysed. Three levels of learning for acquiring knowledge, skills, and higher-order thinking ability and their importance in the software industry are discussed. A hierarchical structure classifying the knowledge content along the managerial and technical branches is proposed along with a temporal sequential structure for the technical aspects.
Motivating students is an important issue in education. A three level hierarchy of student academic needs is proposed, which is based on the classical Maslow hierarchy of human needs. The existing classification into surface, deep, and achieving learning motives and approaches is also discussed. A number of ways to motivate the students to learn and master higher level skills are discussed.
The existing teaching method is studied. The introduction of a tour to a local software house as well as a project is discussed which is expected to provide the students with stronger motivation and better opportunity to acquire and master skills and higher-order thinking ability through hands-on experience.
Assessment is an integral part in education. It serves multiple purposes including as a major motive for the students to learn. Various exam techniques are discussed and compared. An assessment scheme consisting of continual evaluation through the added project and a closed book written exam at the end of the semester is discussed for improving the effectiveness in measuring student learning of skills and higher level thinking ability.
Based on the study, the author suggests a teaching scheme and an assessment method to improve teaching and learning for the subject. The suggested three stage teaching scheme starts with an introductory tour to a local software house to motivate the students. It is followed by lectures and tutorials for teaching the fundamental concepts; techniques, and a project for the students to acquire skills and higher-order thinking ability through hands-on experience. The suggested assessment method includes a closed book written examination to evaluate student learning of basic knowledge and continual assessment through the project to measure student acquisition and mastery of higher level thinking skills.
The recommended teaching and assessment schemes are expected to provide stronger motivation as well as better opportunity for the students to learn and master skills and creative thinking ability that are crucial for success in the software industry. The suggested schemes, however, require more teaching and administrative resources.
A questionnaire has been designed and a survey using the questionnaire has been conducted to collect student perception and expectation on these issues. Informal interviews as well as the Study Process Questionnaire have also been used as auxiliary instruments for collecting further information from the students.
The knowledge structure of the subject software engineering is analysed. Three levels of learning for acquiring knowledge, skills, and higher-order thinking ability and their importance in the software industry are discussed. A hierarchical structure classifying the knowledge content along the managerial and technical branches is proposed along with a temporal sequential structure for the technical aspects.
Motivating students is an important issue in education. A three level hierarchy of student academic needs is proposed, which is based on the classical Maslow hierarchy of human needs. The existing classification into surface, deep, and achieving learning motives and approaches is also discussed. A number of ways to motivate the students to learn and master higher level skills are discussed.
The existing teaching method is studied. The introduction of a tour to a local software house as well as a project is discussed which is expected to provide the students with stronger motivation and better opportunity to acquire and master skills and higher-order thinking ability through hands-on experience.
Assessment is an integral part in education. It serves multiple purposes including as a major motive for the students to learn. Various exam techniques are discussed and compared. An assessment scheme consisting of continual evaluation through the added project and a closed book written exam at the end of the semester is discussed for improving the effectiveness in measuring student learning of skills and higher level thinking ability.
Based on the study, the author suggests a teaching scheme and an assessment method to improve teaching and learning for the subject. The suggested three stage teaching scheme starts with an introductory tour to a local software house to motivate the students. It is followed by lectures and tutorials for teaching the fundamental concepts; techniques, and a project for the students to acquire skills and higher-order thinking ability through hands-on experience. The suggested assessment method includes a closed book written examination to evaluate student learning of basic knowledge and continual assessment through the project to measure student acquisition and mastery of higher level thinking skills.
The recommended teaching and assessment schemes are expected to provide stronger motivation as well as better opportunity for the students to learn and master skills and creative thinking ability that are crucial for success in the software industry. The suggested schemes, however, require more teaching and administrative resources.
Date Issued
1998
Call Number
T65.3 Che
Date Submitted
1998