Collaborative web-based learning of testing tools in SE courses

Abstract

One of the main concerns in the software industry continues to be the development of high quality software. This concern will be exacerbated as software systems become more complex. The training of software developers continues to grow in academia since more institutions are offering software engineering (SE) courses. However, the list of topics that are expected to be covered in this course leaves little or no time for topics that focus on developing quality software, such as software testing and the use of testing tools.In this paper we describe an approach that non-intrusively integrates the use of software testing tools in SE courses. The cornerstone of our approach is the interaction students have with a Web-Based Repository of Software Testing Tools (WReSTT) that contains tutorials on testing concepts and testing tools. WReSTT employs both collaborative learning and social networking features that are attractive to students. We present the results of preliminary study performed in two SE courses that show how using the resources in WReSTT can potentially impact the students' understanding of software testing and the use of testing tools.

Gamification-Based Cyber-Enabled Learning Environment of Software Testing

“…The results have demonstrated a meaningful relationship between the engagement and motivation of students using gamification and an online learning environment, specifically in the area of software testing. The context of software testing was developed by collaboration team [1] and realized in the new technology named Learning Objects using SCORM [7].…”

Integrating Software Testing to CS Curriculum Using WRESTT-CyLE

“…Later, based on existing results, class studies and research on the learning objects, an integrated framework of a softwaretesting repository using learning objects was created in 2012. This project was a collaborative effort between FIU, Florida A&M University (FAMU), Miami University (MU) and North Dakota State University (NDSU) [13]. The NSF Course, Curriculum, and Laboratory Improvement (CCLI) Phase I project (first version of WReSTT) had the following objectives: (a) create learning materials on testing tools, (b) increase the number of students who have access to testing tool tutorials, and (c) train instructors on how to use testing tools and WReSTT in the classroom.…”

“…During the project implementation of the past three years, five workshops involving a team were developed to disseminate the tool and the research study on using LOs in the computer science curriculum. Several study results have been published over the past few years [13,14,16].…”

“…To evaluate the false positive results of using rewards points, additional study is needed to reveal the truth and false factors in order to derive meaningful results [13,14,15,16].…”

Student Learning and Use of Tools in an Undergraduate Software Testing Class

“…Students are required to access the various tutorials in WReSTT -Web-Based Repository of Software Testing Tutorials that describe how to use functional testing tools and code coverage tools. 9 In the study reported in this paper we attempt to answer the following questions: (1) Does the use of code coverage tools motivate students to improve their test suites during testing? (2) Do the results generated by the code coverage tools support the subsumes relation between branch coverage and statement coverage, i.e., does branch coverage subsume statement coverage?…”