  In this paper, we discuss the educational value of a few mid-size and one
large applied research projects at the Computer Science Department of Okanagan
College (OC) and at the Universities of Paris East Creteil (LACL) and Orleans
(LIFO) in France. We found, that some freshmen students are very active and
eager to be involved in applied research projects starting from the second
semester. They are actively participating in programming competitions and want
to be involved in applied research projects to compete with sophomore and older
students. Our observation is based on five NSERC Engage College and Applied
Research and Development (ARD) grants, and several small applied projects.
Student involvement in applied research is a key motivation and success factor
in our activities, but we are also involved in transferring some results of
applied research, namely programming techniques, into the parallel programming
courses for beginners at the senior- and first-year MSc levels. We illustrate
this feedback process with programming notions for beginners, practical tools
to acquire them and the overall success/failure of students as experienced for
more than 10 years in our French University courses.
