Samuel A. Malachowsky

Maintenance Types Activity

Any Software Engineer worth his or her salt knows that most modern software development is, in fact, maintenance.  While students are likely to be aware of Corrective Maintenance ("classic maintenance"), few may be aware of Adaptive or ( especially) Perfective Maintenance.  Furthermore, students may not have been exposed to a variety of scenarios portraying maintenance types.  The following activity, involving the entire class, is designed to accomplish these objectives in 10-15 minutes, depending on the size of the class.  The only materials that are needed are Post-It style notes and writing utensils.

• Beforehand, allotting enough Post-It style notes for each student to have 1 or 2 turns, write a "C" (Corrective), "A" (Adaptive) or "P" (Perfective) on the back (the sticky side) of each note.  Alternately, you could write all three letters and let the student circle one, though this may provide less variety.
• Pass one or two Post-It style notes to each student.  If using more than one, ensure that they are receiving two different letters.
• Instruct the students to write a scenario on the front that matches the type of maintenance specified on the reverse.  Encourage them to be creative and to choose a variety of software types, industries, etc..  This should take 2-3 minutes per note.
• Once complete, collect the notes or have the students place them on a whiteboard in the front of the classroom.
• Engaging one student at a time, read a random scenario and ask him or her to name the type of maintenance.  Encourage the rest of the classroom to follow along, interjecting if they disagree or feel that it qualifies as more than one type.

By engaging students in this creative effort, you are giving them each the opportunity to imagine all 3 maintenance types in new scenarios.  Note: You could expand this activity to include Preventative Maintenance as well if desired.

Instructional Changes Brought About by COVID-Necessitated Classroom Tools

The teaching environment and tools nescecitated by the COVID pandemic has enabled some surprising new teaching efficiences. ( Classroom Engagement, Online Teaching, 2020-10-21)

Distributed/Scaled Agile Class Activity

In this classroom activity, the difficulties associated with distributing project work between agile teams is demonstrated and resolved. ( Agile, Classroom Engagement, Classroom Activities, 2017-03-23)

Effectively Presenting Lists Activity

Use this activity to creatively give students a "hook" in remembering lists. ( Classroom Activities, Classroom Engagement, 2015-02-06)

Explaining the Concept of a Maturity Model

What is a maturity model? Use this simple analogy when introducing the concept. ( Quality, Classroom Engagement, 2014-11-06)

First Day Introductions

Try this activity on the first day of class - a modern twist on the traditional. ( Classroom Activities, Classroom Engagement, 2014-09-08)

Dedicated to Teaching Software Engineering

Hello, I am Samuel Malachowsky. This is a summary of the genesis, purpose, and disposition of this collection. ( Classroom Engagement, 2014-08-29)

Engineering a More Effective Resume Video

Watch this video to learn how Engineers should approach adding skills and experience to their resume. ( Resume, Career, 2020-09-25)

Three Things You Should Know About Software Engineers

Here are three things that you should know about the way Software Engineers approach the world around them ( Career, 2019-03-18)

Scrum Project 1: Brainstorming and Elaboration

Use this brainstorming activity to kick off a Scrum project or any group-based endeavor. ( Agile, Classroom Activities, 2014-10-24)

The 7 Quality Tools Class Activity

Give students an opportunity to use the seven basic quality tools as a system, rather than as separate ideas. ( Quality, Classroom Activities, 2014-10-02)

Agile Principles Class Activity

Try this engaging class activity when introducing the Agile Manifesto and its principles. ( Agile, Classroom Activities, 2014-09-17)