Addressing software engineering issues in student software projects across different curricula

1
Addressing software engineering issues in student
software projects across different curricula

• Dušanka Boškovic
• Computing and Informatics Bachelor Programme
• Faculty of Electrical Engineering Sarajevo,
  2007/08

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Background

• Experiences with student projects within the
  Master study courses at the Department Automatics
  and Electronics
• Computer Architecture and Organization
• Biomedical Signals and Systems
• Students software projects with objective to
• Gain knowledge by implementing a model of the
  system simple CPU
• Solve simplified real world problem.
• Communicate their knowledge on the subject by
  effectively implementing software model

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Assignment 1

• Computer Architecture and Organization
• Developing Relatively Simple CPU Simulator (John
  D. Carpinelli)
• 27 students, Department Automatics and
  Electronics (AE),1st semester master studies
• 9 teams of 2-4 students
• Duration 6-8 weeks

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Assignment 2

• Biomedical Signals and Systems
• ECG system
• 27 students AE department 9 students CS 2
  students PE
• 8 teams of 2-5 students
• Duration 6-8 weeks
• Each team provided with the general scalable ECG
  system architecture, but focused on the specific
  application or part of the system
• ECG monitor, ECG signal generator, HRV monitor
• ECG training station
• ECG Signals from the PhysioNet the MIT BIH ECG
  signals database

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Project Milestones

• Project Plan
• Regular Progress Reports and Interim -Prototype
  Project Implementation
• Project Report and Project Implementation
  Presentation

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Project Plan

• Requirements!!
• Functional specification with main architecture
  and design decisions
• Tasks to complete
• Schedule

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Progress Reports and Prototype Project
Implementation

• Progress Reports
• Mail, unformatted form, and consultations
• Prototype
• A substantial implementation effort
• Well-tested and stable for demonstration
• Have an attractive user interface

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Project Report and Project Implementation
Presentation

• The Project Report captures the outcome
• Illustrated with screen shots
• Presentation
• Assignment 1 (Processor Simulator) part of the
  oral exam
• Assignment 2 (ECG System) consultations prior to
  exam

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Project Grading

• Assignment 1 (Processor Simulator) 2 points
  Project Plan 2 points Presentation (out of 10
  points for homework)
• Assignment 2 (ECG System) consultations prior to
  exam 2 points Project Plan 6 points
  Presentation (out of 10 points for homework)

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Challenges

• Topics covered are new for the students
• Students (Dept. Automatics and Electronics) not
  experienced in SE or other similar course
• Emphasizing soft skills team work,
  communication, presentation, independent research
• Assignment 2 independent student work,
  consultations only
• Additionally
• Emphasizing elementary SE skills

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Opportunities

• Topics relevant to real programming
• Students experience with programming courses in
  the freshmen year (C, .Net)
• High percentage of students choosing elective
  courses at the CS Department
• Assignment 1 lab sessions (contact hours)
  foreseen for the regular progress reports and
  consultations

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Experiences

• Shift of focus to the problem solution not
  implementation process, butimplementation
  process proved to be the key for success
• Requirements negotiation and solution trade offs
• Assembler directives vs. editable memory
• ECG screen continues display vs. static with
  scrolling
• Benefits of efforts invested in functional
  specification

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Experiences

• Students involvement and initiative
• ECG signal generation using
• Threads,
• Visual controls,
• ECG recording device only circuit schematics
• Participation in team work affected knowledge
  obtained proved with the written and oral exam
  results

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Conclusion

• Addressing SE issues in student software project
  assignments (not in SE courses) is feasible and
  should be imperative?
• Additional effort time for teaching staff
• Students experience the importance of the
  development process
• Requirements gathering (negotiating!!)
• Solution trade offs (real engineering)
• Planning, and etc.

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Conclusion

• Motivating and addressing soft skills,
• Having students with mixed educational background
  beneficial
• Students like challenges and achieving results