ASSESSING SKILLS IN PROBLEM SOLVING OF DISTRIBUTED SYSTEMS

Abstract

In this paper we describe a case-based teachingapproach for a design course in distributed systems. Reallife cases are used for relating background knowledge andnew concepts in in-class group work and out-of-classassignments. The learning approach is a spiral approachbased on reflection and knowledge collaboration forproblem resolution. Classroom assessment techniques(CATs) are used to give and get feedback of studentslearning. We focus on a CAT set that comprises the basicsteps of problem solving. Students must follow them to solvethe case. This CATs set is mainly used for a single problem,we adapted it to complex systems. Finally, we will describethe experience and analyze our findings and outcomes. Theconducted classroom research and the students’ attitudesare described.Index Terms – Classroom Assessment Techniques, ComplexSystems, Distributed Systems, Inductive Learning Approach.