Improving Assignment Submission in Higher Education through a Git-Enabled System: An Iterative Case Study

This study addresses challenges in traditional assignment submission methods used in higher education by introducing and evaluating a customized Git-based submission system. Employing iterative software development and user-centered design methodologies, the system was integrated within a real-world university environment. Empirical evaluation, including usability testing and student feedback, indicated significant improvements in assignment tracking, collaboration, and submission efficiency. Students reported positive experiences using distributed version control workflows, highlighting improved learning outcomes and reduced administrative burden. Challenges related to initial adoption and student learning curves were identified and mitigated through iterative improvements. The proposed system contributes practical insights for integrating distributed version control into educational settings, enhancing both instructor oversight and student engagement in software engineering and related disciplines. Based on our results, the research showed that 85% of instructors found the git based system easier to use, with 84% of students preferring it over traditional methods, as it provides a 38% reduction in time taken for submission and review, while also leading to a 48% reduction in storage requirements.