Learning Support System for Software Component Design based on Testability

Abstract

In this paper, we describe a learning support system for software component design for learners at the early programming learning stage. In general, the source code used in instructional programming exercises does not have a testing code and is not designed to rapidly verify behaviors. We think one of the difficulties for students in designing their source code to be testable is that most cannot analyze their component design themselves. Therefore, we summarized the testability features applicable to such learners and designed our learning support system to improve instructional exercises in analyzing source codes and creating improved component design through feedback. The learning outcomes using the system were evaluated based on the subjects’ improved scores between pre- and post-tests on analyzing source codes and creating improved component design. The evaluation results indicated the effectiveness of the program with some testability features. We implemented the system in three different programming classes to evaluate the applicability of the system.