Getting real in the classroom

Exposing students to real-world projects will encourage them to share, learn, and improve.The BOHKNet project began in 1998 with the universities of Eindhoven and Hong Kong. Each BOHKNet team typically consists of 8 to 10 students in two to four locations. The team is assigned a software-related topic such as TV on mobile phones or open source and software patents, which students approach from different geographical perspectives. The different groups produce a Web site for discussing their topics. All the group's Web sites are integrated into an electronic book. The technologies used in the course include videoconferencing, e-mail, and an off-the-shelf learning-management system that supports both chat and forums. The students can freely use additional tools to create the Web site. BOHKNet classroom instructors address specific software management issues to accelerate the experiential learning, including planning, work breakdown, information overload, and knowledge management.