Montessori + SE + ICT = SEET: Using SE to Teach SE

A good first course in SE is becoming very important in the midst of the ICT revolution we find ourselves today. Yet this is one of the most problematic courses for the students. We describe 15 years of researching, designing and teaching a different undergraduate SE course, spanning number of higher education institutions and 1500 students in three departments: Computer Science, Industrial Engineering and Computer Engineering. The aim was to develop a better SE undergraduate course using novel educational constructivist theories, inspired by Montessori method, and a new SE paradigm – Organic Knowledge, used to make order in the much more chaotic and free learning environment. The course uses extensively ICT but strict engineering methods guaranty students’ constant advancement. The results, measured both qualitatively and quantitatively, were very encouraging.