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ABSTRACT
Scrum is a popular project management model for iterative delivery of software that subscribes to Agile principles. This paper describes an origami active learning exercise to teach the principles of Scrum in management information systems courses. The exercise shows students how Agile methods respond to changes in requirements during project implementation, one of the four Agile principles, in a deeper manner than many Agile active learning exercises. This learning activity uses an uncommon approach in Agile exercises in that tasks are provided, estimates made, progress is measured, and pivots to new tasks can be introduced based on task progress. All students were introduced to Scrum through two different lessons - one lecture-focused and one activity-focused. Students were surveyed after each lesson to determine lesson effectiveness. Students indicated they understood Agile concepts after completing the exercise and found the activity engaging. Students' perceptions of Agile were similar for both lecture and activity lessons. The results from the study find that students' perception of Agile learning increased when they had the lecture followed by the activity. If class time is constrained to a single lesson then the activity would be more beneficial than the lecture. Detailed instructions are provided for instructors to complete this activity.
Keywords: Agile, Scrum, Project management, Active learning
1. INTRODUCTION
The systems development life cycle (SDLC) is a standard topic in introductory systems analysis and design courses. For example, recent textbooks from Satzinger, Jackson, and Burd. (2016); Valacich, George, and Hoffer (2015); and Dennis, Wixom, and Tegarden (2015) cover the systems development life cycle and cover Agile methods specifically. The systems development life cycle provides approaches and methods for the development of a new information system. Satzinger, Jackson, and Burd (2016) and Dennis, Wixom, and Tegarden (2015) discuss the Agile method Scrum (Hirotaka and Ikujiro, 1986; Schwaber and Beedle, 2002) in particular as a popular method within the Agile method framework (Fowler and Highsmith, 2001). Agile methods are discussed to demonstrate how a system can be grown over time through iterations and incremental delivery of software and how to manage project risks (Satzinger, Jackson, and Burd, 2016). Larman and Basili (2003) note that iterative and incremental development methods have been used since the 1970s in some advanced development organizations, so this...