Analyzing the transactive memory in teaching software engineering

Abstract

Software Engineering education requires offering to students practical experience via collaboration with the industry and working in teams. At the same time, students require different skills and knowledge at different levels of their studies, i.e. undergraduate versus postgraduate. In this context, Transactive Memory, referring to the shared store of knowledge, affects the dynamics in groups influencing the teaching outcome. In this paper, we present the process that we have employed in University of Cyprus, for teaching Software Engineering courses to bachelor and master students. We describe the process of team building, the different roles, and how the group dynamics can affect Transactive Memory.