Applying Agile Learning on Computer Science Laboratory: A Case Study
Abstract: Agile learning has been introduced in the literature as an attempt to apply the principles of the agile project development to the education field. We have used this concept in a Computer Science Laboratory undergraduate course for six years and we have compared the results obtained to those accomplished with a traditional approach based on a sequential development of a standalone application used during the two previous years. In our approach, we mix aspects of the main agile techniques: the sprints proposed in Scrum, the work in pairs of the Extreme Programming, the frequent deliveries of Crystal Clear, and the fast delivery of Lean Development. With the agile approach, we have observed lower truancy rates and bigger students’ involvement. At the end of the course, the students filled voluntarily a questionnaire enquiring their opinion about the teaching methodology and the learning objectives, reporting an easy adaptation to the new approach.