Experiences of using a game for improving learning in software requirements elicitation

Abstract

Many recent studies have demonstrated that the traditional methods used in teaching software requirements elicitation are ineffective because they frequently produce unskilled graduates who are inappropriately trained to apply their practical knowledge in the workplace. Therefore, the combination of traditional teaching approaches and modern learning tools has been used to better prepare undergraduate students. Biyubi is a game that has been developed to complement traditional teaching in order to facilitate the learning of requirements elicitation activities on an undergraduate Software Engineering course. Biyubi provides a simulated environment for students so that they can explore, analyze, and discover the wishes and needs of the correct stakeholders. This game has been tested and validated by undergraduate students from the NovaUniversitas University, Mexico. The use of Biyubi achieved an increase in the motivation, satisfaction, and learning experience of students in requirements elicitation. The game has the potential to better explain the proper use of a requirements elicitation techniquewhile the technical skills of the students are also improved.