Is It Better to Learn from Problems or Erroneous Examples?

Williamson Alison Freitas Silva, Igor Fabio Steinmacher, Tayana Uchoa Conte

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

Unified Modeling Language (UML) is a modeling standard that has been commonly used in the software industry. However, students face difficulties while learning how to model complete and correct UML diagrams. One of the reasons is the way UML has been taught. In order to improve the effectiveness of learning it is necessary to employ methods in which the students actively take part in the learning process. This paper describes an empirical study that evaluates two teaching methods: Problem Based Learning (PBL) and Learning from Erroneous Examples (ErrEx). We compared these methods by assessing the degree of correctness and completeness of the produced diagrams. We analyzed students' perceptions about each method. The quantitative results showed that the diagrams created using both methods presented similar level of correctness and completeness. The qualitative results showed that students found PBL easier when learning UML diagrams. Results showed that students found PBL easier when learning UML diagrams.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationProceedings - 30th IEEE Conference on Software Engineering Education and Training, CSEE and T 2017
EditorsHironori Washizaki, Nancy Mead
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages222-231
Number of pages10
ISBN (Electronic)9781538625361
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 4 2017
Externally publishedYes
Event30th IEEE Conference on Software Engineering Education and Training, CSEE and T 2017 - Savannah, United States
Duration: Nov 7 2017Nov 9 2017

Publication series

NameProceedings - 30th IEEE Conference on Software Engineering Education and Training, CSEE and T 2017
Volume2017-January

Conference

Conference30th IEEE Conference on Software Engineering Education and Training, CSEE and T 2017
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySavannah
Period11/7/1711/9/17

Keywords

  • Empirical Study
  • Learning from Erroneous Examples
  • Modeling Education
  • Problem Based Learning
  • UML Teaching

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Software
  • Education

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