Teaching and learning perspective on system development in large teams

This paper covers aims and objectives, the approaches, shared experiences and issues faced in teaching and learning of the ICT Analysis and ICT Design pair of subjects within the core block of ICT Engineering courses at the Faculty of Engineering and IT, University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) in Australia. Both practice based subjects, synthesize into a coherent whole, teaching and learning components of all subjects in the ICT Engineering curriculum. One of the main goals of the ICTA and ICTD pair is to close the gap between the students´ individualistic tendencies, unplanned and unbudgeted efforts, as well as uncoordinated actions that often characterize teaching and learning approaches to engineering subjects. Additionally, modern industry expects from engineering graduates both leadership skills and team based skills in the development of complex systems. This includes the ability to work in well-planned, process driven, budgeted and coordinated environment. Fundamentally, the course´s subjects are adaptive and evolutionary; however, the key challenge is to keep a fine balance between academic concerns and fast changing industry needs.