Case studies as simulation of industrial practice

Architectures for Enterprise Applications (AEA) is a final year undergraduate (Level 6) module on the BSc Computing route as well a postgraduate (Level 7) module on the MSc Advanced Computing programmes in the Department of Computing at Sheffield Hallam University. We have developed an innovative approach to LTA (Learning, Teaching and Assessment), where students experience the application of emerging computing theory through a simulation of industrial practice as opposed to reciting software methods that become outdated too quickly. In addressing this challenge, we use case studies as a simulation of industrial practice. The module's students assemble themselves into design teams and apply Transaction Agent Modelling (TrAM) to these case studies. TrAM allows students who are new to the subject of AEA to explore the underlying complexities of enterprise applications in as rich and rigorous a way as experienced industrial practitioners in the field. To assess the validity of this approach, we have conducted qualitative data analysis using the NVivo software. Nvivo reflects, codes, links and visualises the results of the students' work on applying TrAM to the case studies. Results showed that the student design teams were actively engaged in experiencing these contemporary issues. It evidences how autonomous learning is applied as it happens in industry. This analysis also informs the Enterprise Architect, thus validating the realities of AEA in industrial practice and feeding it back into future student experiences, without leaving the classroom.