Exploring Actions, Interactions and Challenges in Software Modelling Tasks: An Empirical Investigation with Students

TL;DR

This empirical study investigates how students approach software modelling tasks, the challenges they face, and how modelling tools influence their styles and confidence, providing guidelines to improve modelling education.

Contribution

The paper offers new insights into students' modelling behaviors, challenges, and the impact of tools, along with guidelines to enhance systematic and creative modelling education.

Findings

Distinct modelling styles influenced by tools and knowledge

Modelling tools affect students' confidence and creativity

Guidelines proposed for improving modelling education

Abstract

Background: Software modelling is a creative yet challenging task. Modellers often find themselves lost in the process, from understanding the modelling problem to solving it with proper modelling strategies and modelling tools. Students learning modelling often get overwhelmed with the notations and tools. To teach students systematic modelling, we must investigate students' practical modelling knowledge and the challenges they face while modelling. Aim: We aim to explore students' modelling knowledge and modelling actions. Further, we want to investigate students' challenges while solving a modelling task on specific modelling tools. Method: We conducted an empirical study by observing 16 pairs of students from two universities and countries solving modelling tasks for one hour. Results: We find distinct patterns of modelling of class and sequence diagrams based on individual modelling styles, the tools' interface and modelling knowledge. We observed how modelling tools influence students' modelling styles and how they can be used to foster students' confidence and creativity. Based on these observations, we developed a set of guidelines aimed at enhancing modelling education and helping students acquire practical modelling skills. Conclusions: The guidance for modelling in education needs to be structured and systematic. Our findings reveal that different modelling styles exist, which should be properly studied. It is essential to nurture the creative aspect of a modeller, particularly while they are still students. Therefore, selecting the right tool is important, and students should understand how a tool can influence their modelling style.