A hands-on approach on software engineering education using fischertechnik hardware

Abstract

Object-orientation (OO) is a key concept of current software development approaches. Most of the students, who start their studies in the field of computer science, have no prior software engineering experience. A programming course implementation, which only involves virtual aspects of programming, can be an issue for beginners. The missing correlation of virtual objects in code and real objects in the physical world makes the learning process of object-oriented thinking more difficult. The fischertechnik Training Factory Industry 4.0 shall be used to support this learning step. The factory consists of six TXT-controllers (TXT) with ARM processors. Each of these controllers manage one specific part of the factory. An object-oriented application programming interface (API), which represents individual parts of this factory, shall be developed. There shall be a 1-to-1 relationship between each factory component and the respective programming element. By letting students use this interface, they can instantaneously see the consequences of their programs on the physical factory. With this learning arrangement we want students to increase their competencies in object-orientation.