Dr. Paul Vrbik from the University of Queensland (UQ) has transformed software engineering education with an innovative teaching approach, earning him the prestigious 2025 Award for Teaching Excellence. His unique method combines live coding demonstrations with real-time problem-solving, providing students with an engaging and realistic glimpse into the software engineering profession.
Engaging Students Through Live Demonstrations
The first lecture of Dr. Vrbik’s Introduction to Computer Science course serves as a historical overview, tracing the evolution of computers from their inception in the 1940s to the modern devices used today. He captivates students by stating, “The computer sitting on your lap is doing an incredible number of equations per second that is inconceivable to the human mind – and if you stick with me for the semester, I can show you how to use that power to create magic.”
This engaging introduction sets the tone for an interactive learning experience. Each lecture begins with a coding challenge that encourages students to articulate their reasoning and collaborate on problem-solving tasks. Dr. Vrbik believes this approach demystifies the profession, showing students that software engineering involves more than just writing new code.
Highlighting the Reality of Software Engineering
Contrary to popular belief, Dr. Vrbik emphasizes that software engineers primarily engage in debugging – the process of finding and fixing errors in existing code. “It’s a skill that is taught best through demonstration,” he explains. “Coding in real time while narrating my decision-making allows students to grasp the complexities involved.”
While live coding can lead to mistakes, Dr. Vrbik views this as a valuable teaching opportunity. “Many students assume that someone at my level wouldn’t make mistakes, but that’s just not reality – there is no one on this planet who works error-free,” he notes. This openness to errors encourages students to reflect on their learning and apply their knowledge practically.
Dr. Vrbik adopts a bottom-up teaching strategy, allowing students to master skills each week before progressing. At the semester’s end, they collaborate to create a game from scratch. “The practice of software engineering is not just about learning various commands and syntaxes, but about combining those elements to build software,” he states. Last semester, the class developed a version of UNO, aptly named UQ-NO, revisiting the skills learned throughout the semester.
Inspiring Future Innovators
Feedback from students highlights the impact of Dr. Vrbik’s live coding demonstrations on their perceptions of software engineering. “If I can get them to feel excited about learning and the amazing things that are possible once they master their craft, then I know I have done my job well,” he reflects. He aims to instill in his students a sense of connection to the human story behind technology, recognizing that advancements result from the hard work of dedicated individuals.
Ultimately, Dr. Vrbik hopes that his students leave each lecture inspired to contribute to the ongoing narrative of innovation in technology. His teaching philosophy not only enhances their technical skills but also fosters a passion for the field that could shape the future of software engineering.
For more information on the 2025 Award for Teaching Excellence winners, visit the University of Queensland’s official website.
