Software testing is a highly valued skill in the industry, and research on teaching software testing in higher education has been extensive. However, little attention has been given to students’ perspectives on software testing courses. To address this gap, we conducted an exploratory study using a questionnaire distributed to 103 students across ten different courses.
The results indicate that students generally view their software testing courses positively. However, there are areas for improvement based on the collected data:
- Diversification: Many students are familiar with unit testing in JUnit, but courses should expand beyond Java and diversify testing approaches and techniques.
- Gamification: Students appreciate feedback and interaction in software testing education. Gamification, where students can compete or collaborate, offers a broader platform for engagement with peers and instructors.
- Hands-on Experiences: Some students find the exercises too simplistic and unrealistic for real-world scenarios. Incorporating more realistic exercises would boost confidence in applying software testing skills.
- Bite-sized Materials: Students often struggle with time constraints. Introducing smaller, focused testing materials across various courses would allow for a seamless introduction to software testing without overburdening curricula.
By addressing these areas, educators can enhance the learning experience and better prepare students for real-world software testing challenges.
The full paper will be available at: https://doi.org/10.1145/3661167.3661276
