Cd Keen

Modelling layered protocols in LOOPN

LOOPN is a language and simulator for specifying systems in terms of coloured timed Petri nets. It includes object-oriented features such as subtyping, inheritance and polymorphism which allow for the convenient modularisation of complex specifications. This paper briefly describes LOOPN and considers its application to the modelling of layered network protocols.<<ETX>>

An analysis of the design constructs required in process modelling

The concept of a process is a key design construct in the modelling of business, control and engineering systems. A wide range of techniques have been proposed for the modelling and representation of processes. This paper considers the characteristics of a representative sample of these techniques, in order to determine the essential modelling characteristics that a process modelling scheme should possess.

Integrating professional skills into the curriculum

The need for the teaching of professional skills to undergraduates in areas such as communications, team work, conflict resolution, and ethics has for some time been articulated by the information systems profession. These skills are particularly required by information systems graduates. Changes to the traditional systems development life cycle towards use of package software, prototyping, distributed computing, JAD etc have all placed a further demand on interpersonal skills as opposed to technical skills. While this need has been recognised by some universities, there have been a number of approaches to the incorporation of these skills into the teaching programme. This paper describes how professional skills teaching has been introduced within the University of Tasmanias undergraduate programme.

A client-focused, team-of-teams approach to software development projects

This paper describes an innovative and very successful final year project course that has been provided in the Department of Computer Science over the past four years. Students are formed into relatively large teams of 16 and tackle a challenging, realistic project during a single semester. Unlike many computer science project courses that emphasise the technical issues, to the detriment of the end-user, this course is focused on the people involved in the project and the client. The project team is highly structured and team members take on all of the roles that one is likely to encounter in projects in the workplace.

Treatment of metaphors in software engineering education

While much attention has been given to the forms of representation and methods used during systems analysis, relatively little research has been undertaken into the communication process between analyst and client. In particular, the role of metaphors in this communication has only recently been addressed. This paper examines evidence for the importance of metaphors in analyst-client communication, particularly during discussions on requirement definitions, and considers how the study of metaphors may be integrated into software engineering educational curricula.

Reflections on the Cross-cultural Delivery of an Information Systems Degree in China

This chapter critically reflects on the delivery of an Australian undergraduate degree in Information Systems at a university in Shanghai. It examines the issues that have arisen from that experience and the methodology that was adopted to introduce this program to a Chinese university. A framework for the analysis of international education has been adopted as a means through which to identify each of the issues that have arisen in the delivery and administration of this program. The findings reflect on the impact of the social and cultural contexts in which such international off-shore programs are delivered.