Gamifying Software Engineering Tools to Motivate Computer Science Students to Start and Finish Programming Assignments Earlier

Autor/inn/en	Call, Tristan; Fox, Erik; Sprint, Gina
Titel	Gamifying Software Engineering Tools to Motivate Computer Science Students to Start and Finish Programming Assignments Earlier
Quelle	In: IEEE Transactions on Education, 64 (2021) 4, S.423-431 (9 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Zusatzinformation	ORCID (Call, Tristan) ORCID (Sprint, Gina)
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0018-9359
DOI	10.1109/TE.2021.3069945
Schlagwörter	Game Based Learning; Computer Software; Engineering; Computer Science Education; Programming; Assignments; Open Source Technology; Integrated Learning Systems; Learning Motivation; Tests + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Maschinenbau; Computer science lessons; Informatikunterricht; Programmierung; Assignment; Auftrag; Zuweisung; Motivation for studies; Lernmotivation; Examination; Prüfung; Examen
Abstract	Contribution: Research has shown that computer science (CS) students who start programming assignments (PAs) early generally receive higher grades. This article presents and evaluates a gamification approach that utilizes software engineering tools to motivate CS students to start and finish PAs earlier. Background: CS can be difficult to learn because students often struggle with errors and how to properly test their code. For these reasons, it is essential that students start their PAs early. Furthermore, software engineering tools, such as version control and unit testing, are increasingly important for students to learn early in their career. Intended Outcomes: This gamification approach aims to motivate CS students to start and complete PAs earlier, as well as instill software engineering best practices. Application Design: To motivate students to start and finish assignments early, an open-source gamification system called the Leaderboard was developed. Using gamified points, the Leaderboard rewards students who pass PA unit tests well before the assignment is due. The system is fully automated using Github Classroom, a build server, and the Moodle learning management system. Findings: Results indicate students who used the Leaderboard did not start assignments significantly earlier; however, they finished assignments earlier, committed code more frequently, and passed more unit tests. The students found the Leaderboard to be motivating and passing unit tests was exciting for them. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. 445 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854. Tel: 732-981-0060; Web site: http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/RecentIssue.jsp?punumber=13
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01