Cloud Computing Adoption for Software Engineering Learning Environment: Set of Guidelines derived through Primary Research

Software Engineering (SE) is a well-known education discipline which focuses on the study of analysis, design, implementation and maintenance of software. There are various approaches in teaching SE courses at university level, however all approaches stress on blending the theoretical concepts with the practical knowledge. In 21st century, students can no longer be restricted to the traditional teaching methods like the lecturer lecturing and the student listening in a typical classroom environment. Software engineering field requires even more integration of technological aspects keeping in view the demanding job market. Cloud computing is one of the latest trends in IT. Its value has been proven effectively in various sectors including the education sector which motivated the authors to explore the study mechanisms of software engineering programme and look at the possible improvements using cloud-based solutions. In a strive to accomplish this, various data collection techniques were applied to get the questions answered and to achieve the aim of this research which is to utilize cloud for better software engineering learning environment. To achieve this, 325 software engineering students from three big universities (representation from both public and private sector) were chosen to participate in the survey. A total of six software engineering lecturers and three IT heads (decision makers) among the same three universities were interviewed. The results obtained from this exercise showed various problems related to the teaching and learning environment faced by SE students. Software engineering lecturers are also facing more or less the same issues while teaching in the labs. Students and lecturers were pleased to see the various features of the cloud and its usefulness in minimizing the constraints. We noticed that both lecturers and students are ready to adapt cloud computing as an effective solution to existing problems in order to enhance the overall teaching and learning environment. Thus, set of guidelines to implement SE tools on the cloud were derived.