An Exploration of the Social Web Environment for Collaborative Software Engineering Education

Abstract

The technological environment in which software engineering education (SEE) resides and thrives continues to evolve. In this paper, SW4CSE2, a methodology for collaborations in SEE based on the Social Web environment, is proposed. The impact of integrating Social Web technologies, and applications based on these technologies, in collaborative activities that commonly occur in the context of SEE are explored. In particular, teacher–student and student–student collaborations, both inside and outside the classroom, are highlighted. In doing so, the feasibility issues in selection and adoption of technologies/applications are emphasized, and the use of pedagogically-inclined patterns is made. The potential prospects of such an integration, and related concerns, are illustrated by practical examples.