Agile and cyclic learning in teaching parallel and distributed computing

Abstract

Agile and cyclic learning are methodologies that have been recently proposed to be used in teaching Computer Science. This paper investigates their usage for the undergraduate studies on parallel and distributed computing (PDC). The aim of this analysis is to evaluate their effectiveness, and also to evaluate to which extent we have to go with the knowledge related to PDC at the undergraduate level. Also, we intended to find out the pace in which agile and cyclic learning enforces the best knowledge transfer of PDC concepts. The analysis takes into consideration several courses spread on the entire curricula, students auto-evaluation based on questionnaires, and grade results. The analysis emphasizes the fact that the tendency is to introduce more and more information and this is facilitated by an agile approach, but in the same time this should be moderated if the final goal is to assure also a good and deep understanding of associated knowledge.