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A Database Practicum for Teaching Database Administration and Software Development at Regis University

This research paper compares a database practicum at the Regis University College for Professional Studies (CPS) with technology oriented practicums at other universities. Successful andragogy for technology courses can motivate students to develop a genuine interest in the subject, share their knowledge with peers and can inspire students to study the subject after they graduate from the university. One of the goals of the Regis database practicum is to inspire students to continue to study the subject of database technologies after they graduate (e.g., life long learning). A technology oriented practicum must provide students with the opportunity to develop both technological skills and soft skills (e.g., team work, effective communication, and work experience). The Regis database practicum fosters the development of soft skills by allowing students to volunteer in leadership roles, such as Project Manager, Technical Lead, and Project Lead. Students improve their communication skills by working on real-life software development projects with local stakeholders in the Denver area. Typical practicum team deliverables include functional requirements documentation, analysis and detailed design documentation, functional software, software test plans, status reporting of outstanding issues, and a final project report that summarizes the software development process that was followed during the practicum. The Regis database practicum also includes a database administration component in addition to a software development project. Students create and maintain the databases that are used for all of the undergraduate and graduate database courses within CPS for every 8 week term. Students also improve soft skills by working on the database support help desk on a weekly basis. Based on course evaluations, students have indicated that the Regis database practicum is a successful experience that helps them to fine tune their technical skills and to develop new soft skills.