Abstract:

Sports timing is a strong Information Technology based field of activity. Both hardware oriented tasks like network engineering, wireless communication technologies or design and handling of electronic devices and software oriented tasks like software and database architectures or user interface design are typical topics in which a timer or a timing company must be involved with high level of expert knowledge. Additionally, there are a lot of management tasks like process and project management, quality optimization and team forming processes which must be considered. Sports timing is used at various sport events like mass marathons, triathlons or bicycle races. Mostly, they are outdoor activities and take place in different regions of the country or even of the continent.

For educational purposes these sport events can be perfectly used as tutorial units for particular lectures in the field of Information Technology. The aim of this work is to compare the sports timing tasks with the content of lectures of the study program Network and Communication Engineering for bachelor students. It will be shown, that different levels of tasks cover the main content from lectures in different semesters. The awareness of using and practicing IT knowledge during such events leads to a better understanding of the communication requirements between sports organizers and IT-engineers. Furthermore, the social skills can be extended by working in groups, working off the university environment and working under stressful situations.

During the last years the experiences with a large and alternating group of students practicing IT know-how at different sport events show a high motivated learning curve. Students understand the problems and particularities and can estimate the risks of technical and organizational failures. The important step of transforming theoretical knowledge in practical application will be provided. Some IT-students plan now or have even decided to work in sports timing or sports organizing companies after their study.

Keywords:

Sports timing, information technology education, knowledge practice.