Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.31803/tg-20191104214708

The empirical study: encouraging students’ interest in software development using test-driven development

Aziz Nanthaamornphong ; College of Computing, Prince of Songkla University, 80 Moo1 Vichitsongkram Road, Kathu, Phuket, 83120, Thailand
Stephane Bressan ; School of Computing, National University of Singapore, 21 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119077

Abstract

The supply is not matching the demand on the market for software developers. While the enrolment in undergraduate computer science courses is increasing, few students are interested in and committed to becoming software developers. It could be that students are overwhelmed by the software development methodology that they are taught. We are consequently looking for a constructivist approach to software engineering able to effectively engage learners. We empirically evaluated whether test-driven development (TDD) is able to improve the quality of both learning and of software development in the classroom. Although numerous studies have outlined the benefits and effects of TDD in the classroom, none of those studies have focused on measuring students' interest in and attitudes toward using TDD in the classroom. We present a study evaluating the impact of TDD on the engagement and focus of learners of software development in the classroom. The results illustrate that the use of TDD in the classroom encourages learners to engage and focus.

Keywords

empirical software engineering; software engineering education; test-driven development

Hrčak ID:

229493

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/229493

Publication date:

11.12.2019.

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