AppChallenge: Integrating Software Engineering, Business Development, and Coaching in Challenge-Based Learning
We present \textit{AppChallenge}, a software-analytics pipeline embedded in a eleven-edition, challenge-based learning program that engages students in the design and development of innovative applications. The initiative integrates academic supervision, company coaching, busisness development, and multi-stakeholder evaluation, functioning both as an educational framework and as a research environment. A central element of this pipeline is its dual-assessment structure, which combines the perspectives of a \textit{Technical Jury} of experts with those of a \textit{Young Jury} of high school students. This design captures both professional standards of quality and youth perceptions of engagement and motivation. Results revealed that experts expressed highly consistent scoring and an exceptional NPS of 77.8, surpassing benchmarks of leading companies, while students revealed greater variability and a more moderate but still positive NPS. Qualitative feedback further indicates that experts valued professionalism, applicability, and continuity, whereas students appreciated interactivity, diversity of ideas, and the motivational experience of participation. The findings demonstrate that the AppChallenge trains students in technical and collaborative skills and provides a replicable methodology for bridging expert and youth perspectives, strengthening its dual role as a professional training ecosystem and an instrument for inspiring future generations.
Mon 1 DecDisplayed time zone: Amsterdam, Berlin, Bern, Rome, Stockholm, Vienna change
09:00 - 10:30 | Session 1International Workshop on Analytics for Software Product and Process Improvement at Sala degli Affreschi (Fresco Room) Chair(s): Alessandro Midolo University of Catania A-SPPI | ||
09:00 10mDay opening | Opening and Workshop Introduction International Workshop on Analytics for Software Product and Process Improvement | ||
09:10 20mTalk | Key Factors in Data-Driven Green-lighting: An Empirical Investigation International Workshop on Analytics for Software Product and Process Improvement Sarath Raveendran Karlstad University, Sebastian Herold Karlstad University, Per Kristensson Karlstad University, Siri Jagstedt Karlstad University | ||
09:30 20mTalk | Toward Greener Background Processes: Measuring Energy Cost of Autosave Feature International Workshop on Analytics for Software Product and Process Improvement | ||
09:50 20mTalk | User Engagement and Adaptive Optimisation in Renewable Energy Communities International Workshop on Analytics for Software Product and Process Improvement Daniele Marletta University of Catania, Erika Scaletta University of Catania, Emiliano Tramontana University of Catania | ||
10:10 20mTalk | AppChallenge: Integrating Software Engineering, Business Development, and Coaching in Challenge-Based Learning International Workshop on Analytics for Software Product and Process Improvement Rita Francese Department of Computer Science, University of Salerno | ||
