GAMFLEW: Serious Game to Teach White-box Testing

”GAMFLEW: Serious Game to Teach White-box Testing”, presents a novel serious game aimed at improving the teaching and learning of white-box testing in software engineering. Recognizing that software testing is critical but challenging to teach due to its complexity and theoretical nature, the authors developed GAMFLEW to make the learning process more engaging through gamification. The game focuses on core white-box testing concepts such as statement coverage, decision coverage, condition coverage, condition-decision coverage, and modified condition-decision coverage. Students interact with a game board inspired by Checkers, using it to define test input data and achieve code coverage goals. Teachers can adapt the content to specific learning objectives.
To assess GAMFLEW’s effectiveness, a preliminary evaluation was conducted with nine participants, including students and graduates in informatics engineering. The study involved pre- and post-questionnaires, a short exam, and gameplay sessions. Results showed that participants found the game engaging, easy to use, and effective for understanding testing concepts. Players were motivated to complete challenges and appreciated the interactive elements, such as submitting comments to explain their rationale and receiving hints. The study highlighted areas for improvement, including adding in-game explanations for testing concepts and enhancing certain user interface features. Despite these limitations, the game demonstrated potential as an educational tool, with positive feedback on its usability and effectiveness.
The authors concluded that GAMFLEW successfully promotes active learning and motivation in a traditionally complex subject. They plan to enhance the game further by introducing multiplayer modes, expanding teacher-exclusive features, and conducting larger-scale validation studies. GAMFLEW represents a promising approach to improving software testing education by integrating gamification into learning.

The paper can be accessed at:
https://lnkd.in/gAgpEwNZ