This research reports on the synthesis of a reflective approach to improve on teaching and learning of software engineering in large groups. In addition, observations on the outcomes obtained from examination, group-project coursework, and informal feedback from students and tutors have been analysed. This resulted in discovering areas of deficiencies in undertaking group-projects, common areas where students’ performance was similar in both exam and coursework. This study led to devise specific controls on the management of group projects and the implementation of tighter links between lectures and both practical sessions and group-work.

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[13] Warhurst C., “Developing Students’ Critical Thinking: the Use of Debates” in Walker M. (Ed), Reconstructing Professionalism in University Teaching, Open University Press, 2001. Mohammed Odeh is senior lecturer in software engineering and associate of the Complex Cooperative Systems Centre at the University of West of England, Bristol, UK. He holds PhD degree in computer science from the University of Bath, 1993 in addition to PGCert in Higher Education and membership of ACM and ILT. Dr. Odeh has more than 18 years of experience including extensive project management experience in planning and leading a range of IT- related projects in addition to management posts. He led the second work-package (the User-Requirements Specifications) of the MammoGrid project, an EU- funded project with collaboration from European partners such as Oxford University, Cambridge University Hospital, CERN, Udine University Hospital in Italy, and Mirada Solutions Limited. Dr. Odeh supervises five PhD students in bioinformatics, information management and integration, process modeling, and knowledge management. He also leads and teaches modules at both BSc and MSc levels in computer science and software engineering.