MSc in Software Engineering (DeLC – 10 Years Later) Stanimir Stoyanov

Motivation 2000:restructuring of the education in the FMI – Bachelors degree (4) – Masters degree (1) 2001: MSc in SE started Problem – Provision of effective education and training in a growing number of students – Relatively small and inexperienced staff SE: Computer Science Education and Research Cooperation, Bansko'13 2

What kind of ITC support? Two ways: – Adapting a ready eLearning system Completely different situation than today – Development own environment Do we have enough strength? DeLC: Why own? – Combining research with teaching – Research goal: intelligent provision of educational services and teaching content – Approach: step-by-step achievement – Test application: MSc in Software Engineering SE: Computer Science Education and Research Cooperation, Bansko'13 3

2013 The number of students continues to grow – 2010/11:68+ – 2011/12: 80+ – 2012/13: 101+ – Preparatory courses: students The number of staff remains small, but experienced: 8 (+ externals) Unchanged duration: 1 year (better 1.5 or 2 years) SE: Computer Science Education and Research Cooperation, Bansko'13 4

Current Syllabus Basics (obligatory modules) Internet Programming Environments DB Integration Pattern & Frameworks Practicum Java Specialization (elective modules) Elective 1 Elective 2 Coursework 1 Practical development Elective 3 Coursework 2 Thesis SE: Computer Science Education and Research Cooperation, Bansko'13 5

MSc Goal Project-oriented education: – a large amount of individual work – hard requirements on the staff; combination from: good theoretical background practical skills and experience Individual skills – Basics & Specialization Team work – Specialization & Practical development SE: Computer Science Education and Research Cooperation, Bansko'13 6

eLearning Environment (DeLC) SE: Computer Science Education and Research Cooperation, Bansko'13 7 Self-paced CBT Blended Learning eLearning SCORM 2004 CC eLearning environment Learning modelsStandards

Why SCORM 2004 (1) Shareable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) – Collection of standards and specifications – Enable learning platforms to find, import and deliver learning content in a standardized way SCORM specifies how learning objects must be created – In order to ensure interoperability across different platforms and tools SE: Computer Science Education and Research Cooperation, Bansko'13 8

Why SCORM 2004 (2) More specifically, the purpose of SCORM is to create learning objects that are: – Reusable: content must be independent of learning context. – Interoperable: content will function in different hardware and software configurations. – Durable: content does not require modification after software systems upgrades or changes. – Accessible: content can be identified and located when needed. – Maintainable: content can be changed effortlessly, without redesign, reconfiguration or recoding. – Adaptable: able to satisfy different individual and organizational needs. SE: Computer Science Education and Research Cooperation, Bansko'13 9

Why CC (1) Standard supporting blended learning CC is proposed as an enhancement of SCORM offering: – More flexibility – Addressing needs not originally envisioned, namely Assessment (QTI) Web 2.0 standards Content authorization Collaborative forums Outcomes reporting Accessibility SE: Computer Science Education and Research Cooperation, Bansko'13 10

Why CC (2) Common cartridge is one of three standards seeking to support upcoming learning technology: – Common Cartridge (CC) – Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI) – Learning Information Services (LIS) CC emphasizes interaction with external applications and services – The LTI and LIS standards establish how to achieve this interaction – So IMS GLC presents all three standards together SE: Computer Science Education and Research Cooperation, Bansko'13 11

Backbone Architecture 2 Education Clusters – MyDeLC – IS MyDeLC (4 nodes) – Education portal Various eLearning services 3 standardized engines (SCORM 2004, Test, Event) 3 digital libraries (teaching material, questions and tests) – Agent Village (3 assistants) – eLSE – Integration node (University information system) SE: Computer Science Education and Research Cooperation, Bansko'13 12

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Education Portal Statistics (1) 1 st version: 2010 Users: 1146 User groups: 154 Roles: 176 Faculties: – 5 (University of Plovdiv) – 1 (Free University of Burgas) Subjects: 25 Lecture courses: 46 SE: Computer Science Education and Research Cooperation, Bansko'13 14

Education Portal Statistics (2) E-content DL – 390 electronic resources – downloads Questions DL – Questions: 1267 – Lecture courses: 26 Test Pattern DL – Pattern: 63 – Generated personal tests: 3487 – Included questions: SE: Computer Science Education and Research Cooperation, Bansko'13 15

PhD Theses Defended: 6 – Emil Doychev Nearing completion: 2 In development: 5 New (January 2014): 4 SE: Computer Science Education and Research Cooperation, Bansko'13 16

Publications First publication: May, 2003 Book chapters: 7 – Springer, In-Tech, M-Library, GSTF, Cambridge Scholars Publishing Journals: 20 – Journal of Computers, Compt. Rend. Acad. Bulg. Sci, Int. J. of Computer Information Systems (USA), Cybernetics and Information Technologies Conferences and Workshops: 100+ – AACE E-Learn, WebTech, COGNITIVE, IEEE Int. Conference on Mobile, Hybrid, and On-line Learning, IEEE DEST, IEEE Int. Conference on Intelligent Systems, WORLDCOMP, COMPSAC, … SE: Computer Science Education and Research Cooperation, Bansko'13 17

Related projects Projects: 11 – SEDiLia – Software Engineering: Computer Science Education and research Cooperation, DAAD (Stability Pact for Sought Eastern Europe) Thanks for support !!! SE: Computer Science Education and Research Cooperation, Bansko'13 18

Distance Learning Successful graduates residing in: – USA – Canada – Germany – Italy – France – Kenya – Bregovo (Bulgaria, 375 km from Plovdiv) SE: Computer Science Education and Research Cooperation, Bansko'13 19

During and after the 2013 (content) E-content development – Software Engineering – Java Programming in Java OOP in Java Programming in Java (standard) Design Patterns – Artificial Intelligence Selbo 2 – a SCORM 2004 editor – Teaching content DL IntelBos – combination of DLs and SCORM, Test and Event Engines SE: Computer Science Education and Research Cooperation, Bansko'13 20

Structure of the DL SE: Computer Science Education and Research Cooperation, Bansko'13 21 Assets SCOs Aggregations Organizations Manifests Sequensing & Navigation Rules Scenarios Lecture courses

During and after the 2013 …(services) New version of the test module – full QTI 2 compliant Game-oriented learning New services – Student book – Teaching notebook SE: Computer Science Education and Research Cooperation, Bansko'13 22

Lessons learned … so far (1) Using the portal we are able to conduct the MSc program – The only services directly supported the learning process (electronic testing, delivery of electronic content) are insufficient – Services supporting the planning, organization and documentation of the educational process are very important Schedules, different types of registrations, … The portal provides good opportunities for individualization of learning – Transition to 1: n relation in a natural way Considerably, more difficult the development of reusable and adaptive content (SCORM 2004) – The construction of digital libraries is a very difficult task Need of intelligent support – student book – teaching notebook – game-oriented education SE: Computer Science Education and Research Cooperation, Bansko'13 23

Lessons learned … so far (2) Students aspect – Increased activity – Quickly get used the environment – Try to involve them in the development of the environment The environment is an domain where the students can demonstrate the gained knowledge Helping to build the environment SE: Computer Science Education and Research Cooperation, Bansko'13 24

Lessons learned … so far (3) Teachers aspect – Workload of teachers increases – Transition from 1:1 to 1:n relationships More overhead for organization and management – The development of teaching material becomes much more difficult – Catch 22 situation SE: Computer Science Education and Research Cooperation, Bansko'13 25

Lessons learned … so far (4) Catch 22: One of the goals was to unload the staff – But, the staff is overloaded during the development of DeLC … – But, we think, we will pick the fruits of our work when the environment will be completed … – But, is it possible to complete such a thing? … – But, we hope, we are happy with the work … SE: Computer Science Education and Research Cooperation, Bansko'13 26

THANK YOU! SE: Computer Science Education and Research Cooperation, Bansko'13 27