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FATHOM: TEL Environment to Develop Divergent and Convergent Thinking Skills in Software Design

Divergent and convergent (D&C) thinking skills are important in solving software design problems. Divergent thinking involves processes like understanding the problem from multiple perspectives and generating multiple solutions to a problem. While, convergent thinking is evaluating and selecting the solution based on the criteria and constraints. These skills are important in software design process for better design outcomes. Studies have shown that students lack the abilities to apply these skills spontaneously to solve design problem. In this paper, we present the design of a Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) environment with metacognitive support to foster D&C thinking skills in engineering students. The scaffolds are characterized in the form of prompts, examples, simulations, and D & C thinking tools to trigger D & C thinking during real life design problem solving in data structures. A study was conducted with second year computer engineering students to find the effectiveness of the metacognitive and cognitive prompts in doing the D & C thinking activities. The results show that design features have helped students perform the activities effectively. These results are supported with student's perception survey and student interviews.