Mark A. Ardis

Using peer review in teaching computing

For generations, the academic community has relied on peer review as a way of encouraging scholarship and enhancing the knowledge base. Peer review has been widely used in the classroom since at least the 1970s, with hundreds of papers on its use in diverse academic fields appearing in the literature (for a comprehensive survey, see [1]). Its use appears to be on the upswing, given the current interest in active learning and teamwork. In computer science, peer review seems to have very broad application. It can be used to evaluate the contributions of various members to a project team; it can be used for design documents and code reviews, in writing assignments, and in capstone project courses. The experience of the panelists is illustrative of the wide range of peer-review practices. This panel will serve to introduce the audience to some of these applications. Since many computer-science instructors have experimented with peer review, we are anxious to have them share their experiences during the open discussion period.

Software engineering baccalaureate programs in the United States: an overview

There are currently over 20 bachelor of science in software engineering degree programs in the United States. The first accredited software engineering programs in the US are likely in the 2002-03 cycle, and it is expected that the total number of such programs will continue to see steady growth for several years to come. The authors have provided a comparison of programs in order to determine what trends are emerging, which will benefit both current software engineering undergraduate programs, as well as those institutions which are thinking of creating new degrees of this type. The curriculum content of these programs are broken down by subject area and compared with curriculum models and accreditation criteria. The results of a survey of undergraduate software engineering programs worldwide that was conducted by the authors is used both to provide additional data about the U.S. programs and to compare them as a group to their counterparts in other countries.

Initial expereences in abet accreditation of software engineering programs

This panel session reflects on initial accreditation experiences of undergraduate soflware engineering programs in the USA, from the viewpoint of the programs and evaluators. It is designed primarily for attendees who already have some familiarity with the development and accreditation of undergruduate so/iiare engineering programs.

Diversity of interaction in a quality assurance course

All software engineering courses face a daunting task: how to recreate within the classroom the environment of software engineering as it is practiced. There are three major difficulties to overcome: providing the cultural environment of professional software engineering, providing opportunities for learning by observation and imitation, and providing opportunities for constructive feedback from teammates. Each of these difficulties can be addressed, but some creativity may be required to solve them within the traditional classroom setting

Erratum to: Diffusing Software Product and Process Innovations

Erratum to: M.A. Ardis and B.L. Marcolin (Eds.) Diffusing Software Product and Process Innovations DOI: 10.1007/978-0-387-35404-0