Conference Session

SE Tools and Techniques

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

John C. Georgas, Northern Arizona University

Tagged Divisions

Software Engineering Constituent Committee

computer science foundations and programming skills, but also avariety of competencies having to do with design, the preparation of software-relateddocumentation, and soft skills relating to effective teamwork. In many traditionally structuredcomputer science programs, the acquisition of these software engineering skills is localized invery few points in the already dense computer science curriculum: most commonly in anintroductory software engineering course that precedes a final, senior year capstone course.This curricular structure presents educators with two significant challenges: First, it makes thestudy and application of software engineering skills overly focused within the context of isolated,discrete courses. While understandably driven

Conference Session

Accreditation and Assessment in SE Programs

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Janet E. Burge, Miami University; Paul V. Anderson, Miami University, Ohio; Michael Carter, North Carolina State University; Gerald C. Gannod, Miami University; Mladen A. Vouk, North Carolina State University

Tagged Divisions

Software Engineering Constituent Committee

. Many students choose CS/SE for their major because they enjoy thetechnical aspects of the work. There is a common perception that “soft skills” such aswriting, speaking, and teaming are not needed and less critical and are acquiredautomatically (in a mysterious and unspecified way). If the students and faculty do notperceive something as being valuable they are less likely to invest time and effort into doingit well.5 StrategiesIn the first year, our project focused on developing and piloting assignments in at least sixdifferent courses and at eight different institutions. In this section we describe some of thestrategies that we have developed to address the challenges identified above. Specifically,we have identified four key strategies