Towards a Generic Education Pattern of System Analysis and Design Courses: An Empirical Study

Abstract

System analysis and design plays an integral part in the development process, which makes it a mandatory and important topic in software engineering education. However, the diverse design concerns and activities involved in deign process make it a great difficult to deliver system design topic effectively. To enhance the learning process, we utilized the mission guides style teaching in our system design course. Students are required to analyze and design a package delivery application system by using suggested open materials and tools. Positive feedbacks are received on stimulating students’ interest. To explore a more generic education pattern for system analysis and design education, we conducted an empirical study based on the information and reflection collected during course delivery process. Students’ presentation performance, assignment quality, final reflection and professor’s evaluation were summarized and analyzed. In this study, we found that (1) teamwork can stimulate students’ learning interest and passion, making class atmosphere active; (2) scenario-based modeling practice can help students improve the understanding of knowledge more quickly and easily; (3) most students prefer (Sino-English) Bilingual teaching method to gain a more professional education. These results indicate the key factors towards a generic education pattern of system design course. It is also expected to be utilized on better courses preparing.