Empowering Students and the Community through Software Development Service-Learning

1. Empowering Students and the Community through Software Development Service-Learning Dr. Joe Chao, Associate Professor Director of Agile Software Factory Department of Computer Science Bowling Green State University

2. Outline • The service-learning course • Service learning projects • The challenges and Agile approach • Student/community partner feedbacks • Agile Software Factory ©Joseph Chao, Ph.D. Department of Computer Science Bowling Green State University

3. The Service-Learning Course • CS464/564 - Software Development • Two sections of 46 students in Fall 2008 • Mostly senior and graduate students ©Joseph Chao, Ph.D. Department of Computer Science Bowling Green State University

4. Six real-world real-client projects • Behavioral Connections of Wood County • Victim Case Tracking System • Neighborhood Property, Inc. • Employee Database System • Wood County Cocoon Shelter • Service Reporting System • Office of Service-Learning at BGSU • Service-Learning Information System • Eastwood Middle School • Student Activity Matching System • Ohio High School Speech League • E-Voting System ©Joseph Chao, Ph.D. Department of Computer Science Bowling Green State University

5. Major challenges • Finding suitable projects • Agile Software Factory • Most students do not have prior knowledge in software development • Quickly provide enough information for the student to start project as early as possible • Must complete a quality software system in a sixteen-week semester • Agile methods – iterative and incremental ©Joseph Chao, Ph.D. Department of Computer Science Bowling Green State University

6. The Agile Approach • Five iterations - three weeks each • Iteration 0 for project preparation • Meetings customers, research on technologies, and preliminary project planning and estimation; • Iterations 1 through 4 • Sets of user stories (system requirements) to be completed, and delivered to the client for feedbacks at the end of each iteration • Students schedule their own time for project development. ©Joseph Chao, Ph.D. Department of Computer Science Bowling Green State University

7. Semester Schedule

8. Student Survey • In an end of semester survey of 46 students who worked on the service-learning projects • 39 believed their communication skills improved through working on the project • 41 felt their teamwork skills improved • All 46 agreed they acquired real-world skills that they can apply in their future careers ©Joseph Chao, Ph.D. Department of Computer Science Bowling Green State University

9. Student Testimonials • “I had never taken a service-learning course before so I did not know what to expect. I am pleased with what I learned from this course.” • “I was able to work on a project that matters in the real world.” • “Prior to this class, I was not sold on the idea of software development as a potential career. But after seeing all of the aspects of the process, I would love to go into development.” • “The knowledge of Agile software engineering methods has already proven impressive for me at interviews and when speaking with potential employers.”

10. Community Partner Testimonials • “The matching system is wonderful. It is very usable and user-friendly. I spend between 4 and 5 hours each year matching students in cabins by hand. This computer system will allow me to do the same task in less than an hour. This is what technology is supposed to be used for, to make life easier. The Bowling Green State University students did an outstanding job.” -- Donny Burkin, Eastwood Middle School ©Joseph Chao, Ph.D. Department of Computer Science Bowling Green State University

11. Agile Software Factoryhttp://agile.bgsu.edu • Founded in Fall of 2008 • To provide software services to community partners in need of software development and to offer hands-on, service-learning opportunities to students in the BGSU Computer Science program • Sponsored by Agile Alliance and BGSU ITS • First program in higher education to offer Agile service-learning for credits • Dedicated to the cause of service-learning, and promote research in Agile ©Joseph Chao, Ph.D. Department of Computer Science Bowling Green State University

12. Agile Software Factory Services • Project Services • New software development • Re-implementations or re-design • Maintenance service to projects produced by the Factory • Student learning opportunities • Agile service-learning courses • Part-time student employment • Independent projects

13. Conclusion • Service-learning has been a part of the BGSU Computer Science curriculum for many years • Studies have shown that students who participate in service-learning are better prepared for careers in their chosen fields • Agile Software Factory is committed to providing students with a quality service-learning experience • Students who participate in our service-learning programs are given the opportunity to develop real-world skills that prospective employers desire ©Joseph Chao, Ph.D. Department of Computer Science Bowling Green State University

14. Thanks for Coming !  ©Joseph Chao, Ph.D. Department of Computer Science Bowling Green State University