Reimagining Software Education: Computer science professor receives $750K NSF award to prepare students for real-world engineering challenges
Rodrigo Spínola, Ph.D., associate professor from the Department of Computer Science, has received a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to improve how future software engineers learn to design systems that last.
Spínola and his collaborators are developing the Technical Debt Tutor (TD-Tutor), an interactive learning tool that helps students understand and manage “technical debt,” the hidden costs that occur when developers take shortcuts in software design or implementation. By introducing this concept early in the curriculum across multiple courses, TD-Tutor gives students a practical framework for writing software that has longevity.
“Software powers nearly every aspect of modern life, yet too often, the systems we depend on are fragile because of decisions made early in their development,” Spínola said. “With TD-Tutor, we’re rethinking how we teach future engineers, giving them the skills to build software that is not only functional, but sustainable, reliable and beneficial for society.”
Through inquiry-based, interactive lessons, students using TD-Tutor learn to identify design tradeoffs, detect quality issues and make informed decisions about when to refactor or accept technical debt. This approach encourages critical thinking about the long-term consequences of design choices and helps students develop habits that improve the quality and dependability of the systems they build.
The project is a collaboration between VCU, University of Maryland, Baltimore County and University of Alabama, with each institution contributing expertise in software engineering, pedagogy and educational technology. As a collective, they will reach hundreds of undergraduate students each semester to generate new research insights that inform how technical debt can be effectively managed.
“This project is about teaching students to think critically about the systems they build,” Spínola said. “It’s about shaping a generation that designs software to evolve, not to decay.”
By preparing students to write maintainable, prime software from the start, TD-Tutor supports VCU Engineering’s mission to create technical solutions that improve lives and strengthen society.
The Department of Computer Science provides undergraduate and graduate students with the opportunity to perform real-world research as soon as they enroll. From designing algorithms to solving complex computing problems to working with cutting-edge AI technology, students gain understanding of many important computing topics. Browse videos and recent news from the Department of Computer Science to discover how the College of Engineering at Virginia Commonwealth University prepares the next generation of scientists and engineers for the challenges of the future.
Categories Computer Science, Faculty Awards, Research Grants