EASEL: Improving Software Design Education with A Layered Design Environment

计算机科学(31)这个项目正在构建一个概念验证软件设计环境，称为Easel，它使学生能够对软件设计有更广泛和更深入的理解。软件设计包括：(1)迭代地构建、评估和改进最终合并为单一的所需解决方案的备选方案，以及(2)用于捕获设计的符号。传统上，这个过程的第一部分受到软件工程教育界的关注要比第二部分少。画架正在将注意力从设计符号转移到设计过程。为此，该项目正在开发一个分层的软件设计环境，帮助学生深入了解设计选择和过程。画架包括其他功能，如内置的评论家、设计模式和基本原理捕获，以提供反馈、指导和对设计过程的洞察。画架与精心构建的课程模块打包在一起，这些模块通过在工具中讨论、改进、比较或详细说明的示例设计和模式来教授特定的设计技术。

Computer Science (31)This project is building a proof-of-concept software design environment, called EASEL, which is enabling students to gain a broader and deeper understanding of software design. Software design consists of: (1) iteratively constructing, evaluating, and improving alternatives that eventually coalesce into a single, desired solution, and (2) notations in which to capture the design. Traditionally the first part of this process has received less attention from the software engineering educational community then the second part. EASEL is shifting attention from design notation to the process of design. To that end the project is developing a layered software design environment that helps students gain insight into design choices and processes. EASEL includes additional functionality like built-in critics, design patterns, and rationale capture to provide feedback, guidance and insight into the design process. EASEL is being packaged with carefully constructed course modules that teach specific design techniques through example designs and patterns that are discussed, improved, compared, or elaborated on within the tool.