Educators use mobile apps to make coursework relevant

A Virginia Tech software engineering class in 2009 was discussing world problems and how computer science might offer solutions when a student piped up with a personal gripe.

"You know what I hate?" the student said, according to assistant professor Eli Tilevich, who was teaching the class. "I never know when the bus is coming."

As Virginia Tech and other universities train a new generation of computer scientists, professors are asking students to create programs that address real-life problems, often through handy, smartphone-ready apps. It’s a break from traditional coursework such as sorting lists of numbers or re-creating programs that already exist.

By Jenna Johnson
Washington Post Staff Writer

Full Story: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/03/06/AR2011030602729.html