Developing E-Learning Materials for Software Development Course

TL;DR

This paper describes the redesign of a second-year software development course using Blackboard to enhance student-centered learning, practical experience, and collaborative skills through integrated case studies and online tools.

Contribution

It introduces a novel curriculum integrating Blackboard tools and case studies to improve engagement and practical skills in software development education.

Findings

Enhanced student engagement and collaboration observed.

Improved practical understanding through case-based learning.

Positive classroom feedback on curriculum effectiveness.

Abstract

Software Development is a core second-year course currently offered to undergraduate students at Victoria University at its five local and international campuses. The project aims to redesign the existing course curriculum to support student-centred teaching and learning. It is intended to provide a learning context in which learners can reflect on new material, discuss their tentative understandings with others, actively search for new information, develop skills in communication and collaboration, and build conceptual connections to their existing knowledge base. The key feature of the cross-campus curriculum innovation is the use of Blackboard, short for Blackboard Learning System, to assist in course content organization and online delivery. A well-defined and integrated case study is used throughout the course to provide realistic practical experience of software development. It allows students to take control of their own learning while at the same time providing support to those students who have particular learning difficulties. In this paper, the developed curriculum and the learning outcome are described. The e-Learning material and various Blackboard tools used for teaching and learning activities are presented. Finally, conclusion is drawn from classroom experience.