Using Project-Based Learning and Collaborative Learning in Software Engineering Talent Cultivation

Higher education is the most important way to cultivating software engineering talents in China, but there is an education gap between the industry and the universities. The current curriculum in university lacked in transferring the experience and skills to students. In this paper, we present how to use project-based learning and collaborative learning in software engineering talent cultivation. We established a learning organization in college of informatics of South China Agricultural University which was named Human Computer Interaction Studio (HCIS). Students can join HCIS on a voluntary basis, and then they can take part in a project team to become a team member. The team accepts a project according to their interest and ability, and then the project manager allocates tasks, formulated work and learning plan. The members of a team would exchange information, discuss some questions and accomplish their tasks together. The study had achieved many good effects in practice, employment and academia. Students can gain expertise, necessary experience and some skills after they used project-based learning and collaborative learning. The results indicated that using project based learning and collaborative learning can be a good method for software engineering talent cultivation in university.