New perspectives on teaching and learning software systems development in large groups

This paper outlines perspectives on the teaching and learning of software systems development in large groups based on the designed, final year, software systems analysis (SSA) and software systems design (SSD) subjects within the undergraduate Software Engineering Program at the Faculty of Engineering, University of Technology Sydney (UTS). Topics described by this paper include shared experiences in implementing these subjects over the last two years and discusses their successes, as well as common problems both experienced and anticipated. While the SSA and SSD subjects are practice based, its content is the synthesis of all subjects taught in the Software Engineering Program and practiced in industrial internships. The object of these two subjects is to bridge the gap between the students' individualistic, often unplanned, unbudgeted and uncoordinated efforts, that dominate the traditional approach to teaching and learning software subjects; and the demands of planned, process driven, well coordinated and budgeted - modern, large team based development of complex software systems, demanded by industry. The subjects are evolutionary in nature, but the most critical aspect and challenge is to maintain a careful balance of academic and pedagogical interests with ever changing industry demands and practices.