On March 12-19, Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) Faculty of Informatics (FI) held practical teacher training. The seminars were organized and conducted by representatives of Accenture Baltics.
During the practical training, speakers of the FI company-partner Accenture Baltics, Atis Kaksis and Maris Riekstins, invited the teachers of the faculty to the SCRUM training session. The primary focus was analyzing the methodology’s roles and the simulation of the practical situation.
Teams of academics gathered during the training to learn more about the possibilities of using the Agile project management methodology by applying the SCRUM method (i.e., the flexible programming project management method). The academics have already applied Scrum practices in the modules they taught, so the training was aimed at updating knowledge and hearing practical advice.
The SCRUM method is designed to develop software and manage a process that requires assembling a team. The team must consist of representatives with different roles: team leader (Scrum master), project owner, and programmers. Applying these roles and knowledge of the theoretical SCRUM methodology, during the practical simulation, the teaching teams had to perform a helpful task – to build the city’s infrastructure according to the given descriptions.
According to the vice-dean of faculty studies, Assoc. Dr. Kęstutis Jankauskas, the training was beneficial and exceeded expectations.
“I got more than I expected; there were a lot of insights on how we can improve the processes in our study module. I do not doubt that the teachers learned many useful, practical tricks. In addition, it was a great idea to practice live, face-to-face.” said K. Jankauskas.
He was seconded by Cooperation Development Coordinator and training organizer Vida Drąsutė, who was also happy with the successful training: “We are grateful for the sharing of knowledge by the speakers of Accenture Baltics, for the time they devoted to our employees, and for the beautiful and productive cooperation.”
FI academic Andrius Paulauskas found the training exciting and practical, as he could collaborate with his colleagues. He believes Accenture Baltics representatives who conducted the training are real professionals who smoothly and interestingly presented the training material and organized the practical sessions.
“The SCRUM process is already known, but it was still useful to remember the fundamentals again and listen to the instructors’ own experience, applying the process in practice and a professional environment,” said A. Paulauskas about the application of the SCRUM methodology in the study process and reminded that it is helpful for teachers to be interested in existing methods and their application possibilities.
