Competitive and agile software engineering education

Abstract

We present lessons learned from two software engineering courses, centered on creating socially relevant software, with students working in competitive teams to make the best version of the planned software. Our successful model for a capstone course allows students to experience a realistic, team-based setting for creating software for a client. Successful techniques included: weekly, multilevel agile communications, performance rubrics, frequent milestones, and most importantly, students competing in teams against one another to make the best version of the target software. The competition to build socially relevant software is very motivating for students. Also, it has resulted in high quality software and deep learning outcomes for students.