Information System Development by Using Agile Teamwork and Service-Learning

Contribution: This is one of the first studies that evaluated the combination of an Agile framework (i.e., Scrum) along with the Service-Learning methodologies applied to education settlement. Another tool that would help improve educational delivery quality is the Service-Learning methodology that enables students to experience hands-on learning by working with real-life cases and firms. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has become a significant challenge in many areas, and education has not been an exception. Most educational institutions have moved from traditional brick-and-mortar to online or hybrid modern settings. However, teachers and students were not prepared for that significant movement, uncertain about how to deliver and receive it, respectively. Educational institutions faced issues developing competencies with teachers into students effectively. Research Questions: The research question is whether the application of the Agile and Service-Learning methodologies in a software engineering-related course of the “Ingeniería en Información y Control de Gestión” major at the Universidad Catolica del Norte in Chile would make a positive impact in both students and partners. Methodology: A mixed-methods approach with quantitative and qualitative analysis was used to understand and evaluate the underlying situation and outcomes. Findings: Our findings show that this setup of Service-Learning and agile framework increased teamwork, time management, and overall work satisfaction through a case study conducted in the course. Students positively evaluated the setting of goal expectations with community partners (i.e., an SME) and other critical learning aspects. Also, the community partners were more satisfied with the product delivery.