Towards a case-based learning approach to support software architecture education

TL;DR

This paper presents a structured case-based learning approach for software architecture education, aiming to improve case selection, learning objectives, and instructional activities, thereby enhancing engagement and understanding.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive approach guiding case selection, learning objectives, and activity design, validated through application in real courses to improve software architecture teaching.

Findings

Enhanced case exploration for educational purposes

Motivated instructors and students in software architecture education

Improved alignment of cases with learning objectives

Abstract

Software architecture education remains challenging for instructors, students, and software industry professionals. Several initiatives have been proposed to mitigate the inherent challenges, including games, supporting tools, collaborative courses, and hands-on projects. Case-based learning has been introduced in software architecture, and its benefits are recognized. However, choosing the right cases that cover the stated learning objectives and developing learning activities to achieve high-order learning are also challenging. The main goal of this paper is to present a case-based learning approach that guides the development of learning objectives, the finding and selection of real-world software architecture cases, and the design of instructional activities. We applied our approach in software architecture related courses during the past few years. The results show that it can leverage the ways to adequately explore cases for educational purposes while also motivating instructors and students to the software architecture education.