Collaborative Research: Engaged Student Learning - Design and Development Level II: Using a Cyberlearning Environment to Improve Student Learning and Engagement in Software Courses

由于21世纪软件无处不在的本质，美国对软件开发人员和程序员的需求越来越大。计算机科学(CS)和信息技术(IT)的学者和从业者都同意，需要一个全面的战略来提高21世纪CS/IT劳动力的数量和质量。该项目将通过使用建立和扩展WReSTT-Cyle(基于网络的软件测试教程资源库)的网络学习环境，帮助高校培养更多合格的软件开发人员。该项目将：(1)调查学生在不同学术机构使用WReSTT-Cyle对其软件测试技能的影响；(2)针对不同的学生群体，制定最佳支持提高学生在软件课程中的知识和技能的学习和参与策略的理论框架；(3)将WReSTT-Cyle转变为独立于领域的软件和编程课程的网络学习环境(SEP-Cyle)，并重复(1)在软件课程中使用SEP-Cyle；以及(4)举办两年一次的研讨会，让教师了解如何在课堂上使用SEP-Cyle来支持教学。(1)中的研究将包括定性和定量相结合的混合方法研究。

Due to the ubiquitous nature of software in the 21st century there is a great and increasing demand for software developers and programmers in the US. Both Computer Science (CS) and Information Technology (IT) academicians and practitioners agree that a comprehensive strategy to improve the number and quality of 21st century CS/IT workforce is needed. This project will assist colleges and universities in producing more well-qualified software developers through the use of a cyberlearning environment that builds on and extends WReSTT-CyLE (Web-Based Repository of Software Testing Tutorials), a cyberlearning environment for software testing. The project will: (1) investigate the impact that students' use of WReSTT-CyLE, at a cross-section of academic institutions, has on their software testing skills; (2) develop a theoretical framework of learning and engagement strategies that best support improvement of students' knowledge and skills in software courses for diverse student groups; (3) transform WReSTT-CyLE into a domain-independent cyberlearning environment for software and programming courses (SEP-CyLE) and repeat (1) above using SEP-CyLE for software courses; and (4) conduct biannual workshops to expose instructors to how SEP-CyLE may be used in the classroom to support pedagogy. The research in (1) will include mixed methods studies with both qualitative and quantitative components.