Cognitive and social aspects of software engineering: a course framework

ABSTRACT

This article focuses on teaching and learning human aspects of Software Engineering (SE). Based on several classes that the author taught on the subject, the article describes a framework for a course that deals with cognitive and social aspects of SE. In these classes students worked in teams, and the lessons consisted of lectures, activities, class discussions, and student presentations. The activities which students worked on aimed to address two of the human aspects of SE: the cognitive aspect and the social aspect. Each of these aspects was discussed on the individual level and on the team level. The paper describes selected activities taken from these classes.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.3 COMPUTERS AND EDUCATION
      K.3.2 Computer and Information Science Education
          Subjects: Curriculum

General Terms:
Human Factors

Keywords:
cognitive aspect, course framework, social aspects, software engineering