thepast four years.Active LearningEngineering educators regard experiential learning as the best way to train the next generation ofengineers [7]. It is reasonable to believe that the soft skills practiced in active learningclassrooms can improve the capabilities software engineering students and better prepare themfor their capstone projects [8]. Active learning is “embodied in a learning environment where theteachers and students are actively engaged with the content through discussions, problem-solving, critical thinking, debate and a host of other activities that promote interaction amonglearners, instructors and the material” [9]. Prince defines active learning as any classroomactivity that requires students to do something other than listen
tohave" soft skills. Most organizations now consider communication, both verbal and written, andteam working skills a requirement [8]. Recent college graduates can expect employment Software Engineering Division (SWED)interviews that will include probes on collaboration and communication skill sets that go beyondsmall classroom group efforts.Curriculum ChallengesWhile this demand is apparent, most academia still operates within the constraints of the functionalsilo of the classroom. Project design and development are often products of a formalized courseassignment. The constraints are time based (Semester) and often scoped to the members of theclass. Functional specifications gathering, operations management, logistics cross department(Marketing
. This paper describes the authors’approach to teaching two hybrid software project courses which make use of flipped classroommodels that rely on active learning and the use of authentic assessment practices (e.g., reflectivewriting and peer assessment).Active LearningEngineering educators regard experiential learning as the best way to train the next generation ofengineers [4]. It is reasonable to believe that the soft skills practiced in active learningclassrooms can improve the capabilities software engineering students and better prepare themfor their capstone projects [5]. Active learning is “embodied in a learning environment where theteachers and students are actively engaged with the content through discussions, problem-solving
programming courses and increased satisfaction and enjoyment whenprogramming [13].Though some instructors worry about equal distribution of work, research has found thatindividual performance on exams is similar when using pair or solo programming [13].Additionally, students might immediately push back against pair programming because theymust practice soft skills that might not be typically associated with programming [14]. However,if instructors continue to use pair programming in their courses, students will manage thetransition from solitary work to pair work, and they will benefit from it.Active Learning Shifting Textbooks and Asynchronous LearningStudents had very limited access to information when textbooks first became an educational tool,so