AuthorsJ. Gonzalez-Huerta, J. S. Molléri, A. Šablis and E. Zabardast
TitleExperiential Learning Approach for Software Engineering Courses at Higher Education Level
AfilliationSoftware Engineering
Project(s)Department of IT Management
StatusSubmitted
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2021
JournalarXiv preprint arXiv:2012.14178
PublisherSpringer
Abstract

Background: Software project management activities help to introducing software process models in Software Engineering courses. However, these activities should be adequately aligned with the learning outcomes and support student's progression. 

Objective: Present and evaluate an approach to help students acquire theoretical and practical knowledge and experience real-world software projects' challenges. The approach combines a serious game and a design-implement task in which students develop a controlled-scale software system.

Methods: To evaluate our approach, we analyzed the students' perceptions collected through an online survey, their project plans, and their final reports using thematic analysis.

Results: Results suggest that the approach promotes knowledge acquisition, enables students' progression, reinforces theoretical concepts, and is properly aligned with the course's learning outcomes.

Conclusion: The approach seems to help introducing software process models in Software Engineering courses. Our experience can also be inspiring for educators willing to apply our approach in similar courses.

Citation Key27679