Learning by Doing: Practical Courses in Lightweight Formal Methods using VDM++

We describe the design and delivery of two courses that aim to develop skills of use to students in their subsequent professional practice, whether or not they are directly applying formal methods. Both curricula take a ``lightweight'' approach, emphasising skills in model construction and analysis by test rather than formal verification. The accessibility of the formalism is enhanced by the use of well-established notations (VDM-SL and VDM++); its credibility is established by using examples drawn from industrial projects, and by using an industrial-strength tool set. Examples from the courses are presented and initial results based on student evaluation and examination performance are discussed.