CASE Tools versus Pencil and Paper: A Student's Perspective on Modeling Software Design

In this paper we study students’ reflections on different ways of creating a model of a software design: either through using a CASE tool or via pencil and paper. In particular, we asked students how the different means of creating a design affected their learning of software design. Beyond the advantages and limitations of the two styles, our findings suggest that there is no strict line separating the two approaches. Both share a number of positive characteristics related to sketchy designs, collaboration, and exploration of design issues; and both could be improved with respect to portability and understandability.