How to teach practical software quality assurance. An experience report

Abstract

The product/process duality of software quality is highlighted and problems of providing computing students, whether on undergraduate or postgraduate courses, with experiences analogous to those found in industry are outlined. Details are presented of the MSc in Computer-Based Information Systems, a "conversion" course offered world-wide by the University of Sunderland. The Systems Engineering module within the course is described and details are given of the pedagogical approaches adopted within it. The mechanisms used with regard to teaching concepts related to software quality assurance are described, with particular emphasis on the practical work which the students undertake. Finally, an overall evaluation is presented.