Conclusion

Any process is difficult to implement if the participants lack faith in the process. A thoughtful group of senior computer science majors have expressed their opinions concerning the use of Extreme Programming in a software engineering class and the use of pair programming in an introductory programming class. Most of those students feel that Extreme Programming should be taught as a lecture topic, but using it for a project should be delayed until the students become more proficient in the traditional phases of software development. Most also believe that pair programming should be used in the introductory programming courses, but many feel it might be better to defer pair programming to a later course. Indications from a pilot study support the opinion that pair programming is a valuable practice, but it should not be introduced early in the curriculum.

Although student opinions should not dictate changes to the curriculum, they provide valuable insight that should be considered. Their opinions are particularly valuable as we consider changing the way that they are expected to work and interact with one another.