Using issue tracking as a groupwork facilitator in education

Abstract

In higher education, collaborative work is a prevalent method for skill development and assessment. This approach enables learners to use available time and resources efficiently, supported by peers, for deeper understanding and practical application of learned concepts. However, group task execution reduces individual work transparency. This aspect can be im-proved with the help of IT support, measuring not only out-comes but also individual contributions through task fragmen-tation, responsibility assignment, and performance tracking. In the business world, ticket management systems are commonly used for issue tracking, but less so in education. In this study, we describe integrating issue tracking for project management and communication in a new experimental course. We propose leveraging system data for evaluation. The presented empirical data and experiences could aid stakeholders in similar projects to benefit from issue tracking systems.