Researching the development of team competencies in computer science courses

Abstract

The capability to effectively work in teams has been a key competence for computer scientists for a long time. Gradually, more attention is paid to developing this generic competence as part of academic curricula. At the University of Vienna, we have conducted and researched a number of different courses that were aimed at developing studentspsila team competencies along with subject specific and/or other generic competencies. The major scientific goal of the accompanying studies was to investigate the influence of person-centered technology-enhanced courses on the development of team knowledge, skills and attitudes. In these courses, emphasis was put on team projects with authentic tasks selected by students, and on providing a cooperative atmosphere. Studentspsila perceptions were collected in online questionnaires and analyzed using qualitative and quantitative methods. Results indicate that courses had significant effects on the development of team competencies, whereby effects on knowledge and skills were stronger than on attitudes. Courses including reflection were perceived as having stronger impact on team competencies in general than other courses. As expected, sub-skills that were promoted by specific interventions in a course were also perceived as those being most significantly improved as a result of that course.