The Use of Agile Methods in ICT Training

Abstract

This thesis presents how the agile methods are used in ICT training in Amiedu. The word agile is characterized by the division of tasks into short phases of work and frequent reassessment and adaptation of plans. The benefits of agility that should be attainable are improved lead time, customer happiness, quality, and transparency.

Scrum is a lightweight and simple to understand agile framework. It has been in use since the early 1990s and has been widely used in different kinds of projects. The Scrum framework defines Scrums teams and associated roles, events, artifacts, and rules. The eduScrum is a framework that is based on Scrum and it is meant to use in education. Within the framework, the students can tackle complex problems while achieving learning goals and personal growth. Our model of agile education owes a lot to Scrum and eduScrum, but it also has its differences. Our model is a bit stricter about what and when the students are doing, but a bit looser on the events and artifacts than eduScrum is.

Comparing the results of different educational projects showed that our model of agile education is competitive in expenses, but has trouble to achieve a good number of graduates. Survey conducted to the students and analyzed with DCA method, shows that we have succeeded in creating a free atmosphere with active social interaction in our courses, but we are still struggling with the efficiency of the project. The biggest factor to overall evaluation seems to be the change that the students achieve from their education. The students in more traditional courses feel that they get more out of the courses than our agile students. Reasons behind the smaller level of change seem to be in the level of engagement and reflection. Both of which are core values in our system.

Overall it seems that our model has the right values and we are aiming to do the right things, but we need to find a way to improve the engagement level of the students, which leads to better social interaction, better reflection, and greater change.