Extreme programming requires extremely effective communication: Teaching effective communication skills to students in an IT degree

The ability to communicate effectively is an important skill for IT graduates, particularly in light of the increasing acceptance and success of Extreme Programming methods. This paper describes an effective communication module taught as part of a subject focused on Extreme Programming. An assessment of student’s perceptions of effective communication and their attitudes to the pedagogical techniques employed was undertaken. Students seem aware of the value of effective communication and felt that role-play activities, discussion, small-group activities and lectures contributed the most to their learning.