Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter VI
Supporting Creativity in
Software Development:
An Application in IT
Education
Aybüke Aurum
The University of New South Wales, Australia
Meliha Handzic
The University of New South Wales, Australia
Adrian Gardiner
The University of New South Wales, Australia
ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the potential of the application of an individual creativity-
enhancing technique (called SoloBrainstorming, or SBS) to improve the level of creativity
of Information Technology (IT) students in performing information system (IS) requirements
determination. Requirements determination, in the context of software development,
involves gaining an understanding of the underlying issues related to a business problem,
and also considering potential solutions. The chapter begins with a definition of creativity,
followed by an overview of strategies suggested to enhance creativity. The SBS technique
is then introduced, followed by a report of empirical results from its application. Finally,
we offer advice for IT education in terms of incorporating creativity-enhancing techniques
into the IT course curriculum.
