Implementação e avaliação de uma versão inicial do QA+: um jogo para o ensino de teste e qualidade de software

Abstract

Context: Testing activity is crucial for ensuring the quality of software products. However, higher education students often have knowledge gaps and lack motivation to learn about software testing, resulting in a shortage of specialized labor in this field in the industry. In this context, it is necessary to support the teaching of testing and quality. Gamification, which involves using game elements in non-game contexts, can be a solution to the mentioned challenges. By making the learning process more interactive and engaging, gamification can increase students’ motivation and facilitate the understanding of complex topics. Objective: Given this context, in this work we aimed to develop and evaluate an initial version of QA+, a game that employs gamification elements to support the teaching of software testing and quality at the higher education. Method: The development of the game was carried out through a process that included defining its scope, modeling the game, and coding it using web technologies such as React.js, Typescript, Java 21, and Spring Boot. To evaluate QA+, we conducted a case study with undergraduate students, collecting their perceptions of the game’s usability and player experience through an online questionnaire. We performed quantitative analyses on the collected data. Results: From the analysis of data collected from nine students, we found that QA+ was considered aesthetically appealing and easy to understand and use, causing feelings of confidence, satisfaction, and fun among the students, essential aspects for maintaining their engagement and interest in learning. Furthermore, the collected data showed that the game was deemed relevant by the students, helping them recall, understand, and apply software testing concepts. However, opportunities for improvement were also identified, such as the inclusion of customization features and more challenging activities, as well as resources to better capture students’ attention and help them to avoid making mistakes while using the game. Conclusion: This work contributes to the body of studies that aim to improve education on software testing and quality. It provided positive indications regarding the applicability of QA+ as an educational resource to support the teaching of software testing and quality at the higher education level. Future improvements to the game, including the implementation of additional features, may further increase its effectiveness and attractiveness.