Jocelyn Armarego

CASE Tools: Constructivism and its Application to Learning and Usability of Software Engineering Tools

Software Engineering is a new discipline aimed at the improvement of the production of large, quality software systems. Interest in CASE tools has grown because of the important role they play in supporting the software development process. Studies show these complex and sophisticated tools have a positive impact on quality and productivity but they have been slow to be adopted by industry; this is partially explained by the difficulty of learning to use the tool.

Review of the Information Security and Privacy Challenges in Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Environments

With increasing development and adoption of information and communication technology initiatives internationally, evolving trends such as bring your own device (BYOD) is rapidly changing operational methods of organizations in attempt to improve efficiency and productivity. However, for organizations to successfully benefit from BYOD, several dynamics relating to security and privacy in BYOD environments must be examined and understood. This article reviews information security and privacy, mobile computing, and current organizational practices that shed light on BYOD and the issues behind its adoption. The review will assist organizations and IT professionals to understand the increasing demands of BYOD, and its challenges.

Intelligent component selection

Component-based software engineering (CBSE) provides solutions to the development of complex and evolving systems. As these systems are created and maintained, the task of selecting components is repeated. The context-driven component evaluation (CdCE) project is developing strategies and techniques for automating a repeatable process for assessing software components. This paper describes our work using artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to classify components based on an ideal component specification. Using AI we are able to represent dependencies between attributes, overcoming some of the limitations of existing aggregation-based approaches to component selection

Beyond PBL: Preparing Graduates for Professional Practice

An analysis of practitioner studies concludes that a gap exists between industry expectations of IT graduates and formal education, in particular in non-technical skills and knowledge. This paper reports on the final cycle of an Action Research project to examine and implement alternative learning environments for Software Engineering. A model based on reflective practice, founded on the evaluation of previous cycles applying Cognitive Apprenticeship and Problem-based Learning, was developed and implemented. This study looked at the alignment between student approaches to learning and the environment developed, in particular student disposition towards deep or surface learning. Although evaluation shows the student cohort achieved significantly higher scores in their assessment that those of previous offerings, it was notable that students who reported themselves as adopting surface approaches were less comfortable with the environment. However, they still exhibited deep learning characteristics when observed in a subsequent course. While an understanding of student learning is fundamental in developing learning environments, alignment between discipline and learning is also critical in educating competent practitioners. Results of this study show that students placed in an environment that enables them to model professional practice, and reflect on that modelling, should be much better prepared for the workplace.

Educating 'Agents of Change'

This paper describes the journey undertaken by staff and students in an undergraduate SE program. It charts the progress to a learning environment that fosters reflective practice through a problem-based (cognitive) apprenticeship based on design studios. SE students benefit through the increased opportunity to learn to make appropriate use of knowledge gained through their studies. SE staff benefit from the double-hop approach: the espoused theory of teaching is aligned with the theory in practice as innovation is introduced, evaluated then reflected on to initiate further development in the learning environment. The wisdom of our approach will be tested by the success of our graduates in engaging with the profession in practice

The Teaching--Research--Industry--Learning Nexus in Information and Communications Technology

The teaching-research nexus concept has been extensively examined in the higher education literature, and the importance of industry linkages in information and communications technology (ICT) education has also been widely discussed. However, to date there has been little recognition of the full extent of relationships between aspects of teaching, learning, research, and industry, and of the synergy possible from exploiting these relationships. Koppi and Naghdy [2009] introduced the concept of the teaching-research-industry-learning (TRIL) nexus in ICT education and this article attempts to advance understanding of the concept by exploring the literature that underpins it. The article contributes to a clearer understanding of the nature of the relationships involved as they apply to ICT education, and makes comprehensive recommendations to support strengthening the TRIL nexus in ICT education.

Selecting components: a process for context-driven evaluation

We describe a process for selecting and evaluating candidates for component based software engineering. The process is aimed at developers sourcing components from third party vendors. Component metadata and a formalised specification of the ideal component, including context information, are used to drive the process. This specification is used to shortlist candidate components from commercial repositories and to generate the tests and adaptations for the candidate components. Metrics from each stage of the selection and evaluation process are then combined to compare and rank components for inclusion in the target application. This approach to component selection, using context information and formal methods, helps address issues with component sourcing, selection and testing of third party components.

Applying a reusable framework for software selection

With increasing use of component-based development (CBD), the process for selecting software from repositories is a critical concern for quality systems development. As support for developers blending in-house and third party software, the context-driven component evaluation (CdCE) process provides a three-phase approach to software selection: filtering to a short list, functional evaluation and ranking. The process was developed through iterative experimentation on real-world data. CdCE has tool support to generate classifier models, shortlists and test cases as artefacts that provide for a repeatable, transparent process that can be reused as the system evolves. Although developed for software component selection, the CdCE process framework can be easily modified for other selection tasks by substituting templates, tools, evaluation criteria and/or repositories. In this article the authors describe the CdCE process and its development, the CdCE framework as a reusable pattern for software selection and provide a case study where the process is applied.

Constructing engineering knowledge: development of an online learning environment

With the development of new undergraduate degree programmes within Murdoch Universitys School of Engineering, the decision was made to offer courses, as much as practical, online. This provides numerous challenges to be addressed including considerations of curriculum design and learning issues. Within the software engineering program, an infrastructure has been developed to address these issues and to enable students to exercise a measure of control over their learning experiences.

The reengineering of a software system for glaucoma analysis

Glaucoma is a destructive eye disease that causes blindness in individuals displaying little or no symptoms. There is no cure as yet though there are treatments that can arrest its effects or slow its development. The earlier the disease is detected, the more likely the treatment will be successful; however early detection of the disease can be difficult. This highlights the importance of ophthalmologists having access to tools that can assist in accurately diagnosing glaucoma and other retinal diseases as early as possible. The stereo optic disc analyser (SODA) software package is a tool intended to be used by ophthalmologists, to aid in the accurate detection of retinal diseases. SODA will use stereoscopy and three-dimensional image analysis to assist in accurately detecting changes in the retina, caused by diseases such as glaucoma. This paper will focus on the reengineering and redesign of the SODA software package to overcome the shortcomings inherent in its prototype implementation and develop a package that can be commercialised. Software Engineering principles and the software development lifecycle, along with principles of object-orientation and usability, have been used to establish a framework for SODA, improve its accuracy, enhance its usability and to redevelop the product into an implementation that can later be commercialised.