Studies into interactive didactic approaches for learning software design using UML

Stikkolorum, D.R. (2022)

Doctoral Thesis

The learning of software design is known to be a difficult and challenging task for students. This dissertation studies different didactic approaches for learning software design to improve the way we teach students software design. The research in the dissertation questions whether we can assess software design skills, what guidance is needed for the improvement of students’ understanding of software design and how to motivate and engage students for learning software design. The research explores the following: an instrument for measuring software design skills based on design principles, the gamification of learning software design, revealing students’ software design strategies, the use of peer-reflection for uncovering the difficulties students have during software design tasks, the use of teaching assistants as bridge between the lecturer and the students, the automation of grading software designs with machine learning, guiding feedback by a pedagogical agent and a workshop for engaging students into the process of software development. The research contributes to the future education of software design.

• Software design
• Computer science education
• Design principles
• UML
• Gamification
• Engagement
• Machine learning
• Feedback agent
• Guidance
• Software development

• All authors: Stikkolorum, D.R.
• Supervisor: Chaudron, M.R.V.; Plaat, A.
• Co-supervisor: Putten, P.W.H. van der
• Committee: Kleijn, H.C.M.; Bäck, T.H.W.; Ramackers, G.J.; Robles, G.; Kang, E.; Visser, J.M.W.
• Qualification: Doctor (dr.)
• Awarding Institution: Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science (LIACS), Faculty of Science, Leiden University
• Date: 2022-12-14