Benefits of using socially-relevant projects in computer science and engineering education

Abstract

In an attempt to bridge a local technology gap, potentially provide software to health care organizations serving the needs of handicapped clients in the Western NY area, and provide innovative and interesting projects for our capstone design classes, the Computer Science and Engineering department at the University at Buffalo (SUNY) began soliciting projects from local organizations in need. The projects have been integrated into required senior-level undergraduate courses. The practical benefits of project experience on student education, and the benefits of providing useful software to the target organizations, were anticipated, but the experiences have proven to be much more. Students have responded with intensity and philanthropy. The clients have participated in the classroom experience as both recipients and teachers. The program has rescued students at academic risk, and the school is enjoying an enhanced reputation in the community. This paper explores positive and cautionary issues regarding the effort.

Experimenting with Realism in Software Engineering Team Projects: An Experience Report

“…Unlike in our own course, in most cases, students in the same cohort worked on the same project [12,15,16,13]. However, the similarities with our own experiences are striking.…”

“…Garlan et al [12], Boehm et al [13], Hayes [14],Buckley et al [15] and Suri [16] all reported on their experiences running project courses with real world customers. Unlike in our own course, in most cases, students in the same cohort worked on the same project [12,15,16,13].…”

Including accessibility within and beyond undergraduate computing courses

“…Also, studies that have examined the use of projects to teach accessibility have found demonstrable benefits [3] [12] [14] [20]. Specifically, projects involving accessibility requirements or working with disabled users have been shown to significantly increase awareness of accessibility issues and designing to meet the needs of a diverse population.…”

A framework for enhancing the social good in computing education

“…There is a growing body of experience reports describing CSG-Ed experiences in upper division courses such as software engineering (e.g. [13,32,67]), the senior capstone project (e.g. [5,53,80]), service learning experiences (e.g.…”