Innovative Approach to Teaching Distributed Systems in Education 4.0

This paper presents an innovative pedagogical approach for teaching university-level computer science courses, specifically distributed systems. Integrating concepts from computer science and educational sciences, the approach combines large language models (LLMs), tools integrating and automating software development (Dev) and IT operations (Ops), i.e. DevOps tools, and the educational framework based on agile approach in which students take responsibility for organizing their own learning process (eduScrum) within the vision of aligning education with the demands of the 21st century (Education 4.0). Over four academic years, the new approach was compared to traditional teaching methods. The course was structured into three sprints, each encompassing theoretical and practical tasks. ChatGPT was utilized in example solutions for code generation and debugging, while Git repositories supported practical programming exercises. Efficiency was measured through qualitative and quantitative analysis, indicating a marked improvement with the new methodology. The study demonstrates the potential of modern technologies to create dynamic, effective learning environments and suggests a pathway for updating computer science and software engineering education to keep pace with technological advancements. © 2024 TEMPUS Publications.