Teaching a Project-Intensive Introduction to Software Engineering

Abstract : This report is meant as a guide to the teacher of the introductory course in software engineering. It contains a case study of a course based on a large project. Additional materials used in teaching the course and samples of student-produced documentation are also available. Other models of course organization are also discussed. A first course in software engineering is a daunting experience for both student AND teacher. The students must work in cooperation with one another on a project that uses almost all their computer science skills and illustrates the techniques taught in the class portion of the course. Since this is often the most interesting single course they take, students tend to throw themselves into it at the expense of other courses. Even when they do not want to live solely for the course, the new experience of having to cooperate with their peers instead of competing with them uses unforeseen amounts of energy in communication and compromise. The instructor is also involved more heavily in this course than in most others he or she will teach.