WIP: Teaching a knowledge engineering course using active learning, gamification, and scaffolding

Abstract

This paper describes the authors' experiences introducing active learning opportunities in a senior level software analysis and design course. The team critically examined the existing artificial intelligence course offered at our institution and created new active learning style instructional materials for selected course topics. We devised delivery strategies that incorporated academic research findings and industry best practices. We focused on problem-based learning strategies for this course, supported by software tools. Based on our assessment data, we believe that students participating in the activities created for this course are better equipped with fundamental theoretical knowledge and valuable hands-on experiences that can measurably increase their ability to contribute to the software industry. Both face to face and online students preferred active learning content delivery to lecture only. Both groups of students felt more engaged with the course materials than they do in traditional lecture courses.