ERIC Number: EJ1058710
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2010
Pages: 27
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-1541-5015
EISSN: N/A
An Investigation of an Open-Source Software Development Environment in a Software Engineering Graduate Course
Ge, Xun; Huang, Kun; Dong, Yifei
Interdisciplinary Journal of Problem-based Learning, v4 n2 p94-120 Fall 2010
A semester-long ethnography study was carried out to investigate project-based learning in a graduate software engineering course through the implementation of an Open-Source Software Development (OSSD) learning environment, which featured authentic projects, learning community, cognitive apprenticeship, and technology affordances. The study revealed that while the OSSD learning environment motivated students to engage in real-world projects, tensions were found between the students' self-processes, such as their perceptions, expectations, beliefs, goals, and values, and the innovative learning environment. Most importantly, this study demonstrated key interplays between project authenticity and learner characteristics, which resulted in different identity representations and different perceptions among students, which in turn affected students' goal orientations, motivation to work on projects, commitment to team collaboration, attitudes toward expert coaching and feedback, and the use of collaborative technologies.
Descriptors: Investigations, Open Source Technology, Graduate Students, Computer Software, Engineering Education, Programming, Ethnography, Active Learning, Student Projects, Educational Environment, Aptitude Treatment Interaction, Student Attitudes, Beliefs, Prior Learning, Student Educational Objectives, Expectation, Observation, Interviews, Student Behavior, Interaction, Group Dynamics, Organizational Culture, Teamwork, Coaching (Performance), Feedback (Response), Database Management Systems, Educational Practices, Teaching Methods
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A