Can Learning Formal Specification Be Fun? - Experience and Perspective

I. S.W.B. Prasetya; Craig Q.H.D. Leek; Roan Oosenbrug; Petar Kostic; Mike De Vries

doi:10.1109/ICSTW50294.2020.00078

Can Learning Formal Specification Be Fun? - Experience and Perspective

I. S.W.B. Prasetya
, Craig Q.H.D. Leek
, Roan Oosenbrug
, Petar Kostic
, Mike De Vries

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › Academic › peer-review

Abstract

Writing formal specifications is a useful skill for students to develop and to grow a positive mindset towards it. Unfortunately this is hampered by the stereotyping of formal method as dry and boring. In this short paper we discuss our experience in using of a computer game called FormalZ as an attempt to introduce some fun in teaching the skill. Two setups are discussed: as an embedded part of a course, and as a loose tutorial, after which we will conclude with the lessons learned.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	2020 IEEE International Conference on Software Testing, Verification and Validation Workshops (ICSTW)
Publisher	IEEE
Pages	437-440
Number of pages	4
ISBN (Electronic)	9781728110752
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1109/ICSTW50294.2020.00078
Publication status	Published - 1 Oct 2020
Event	13th IEEE International Conference on Software Testing, Verification and Validation Workshops, ICSTW 2020 - Porto, Portugal Duration: 23 Mar 2020 → 27 Mar 2020

Conference

Conference	13th IEEE International Conference on Software Testing, Verification and Validation Workshops, ICSTW 2020
Country/Territory	Portugal
City	Porto
Period	23/03/20 → 27/03/20

Keywords

gamification in teaching formal method
gamification in teaching software engineering
teaching formal method

Access to Document

10.1109/ICSTW50294.2020.00078

Can_Learning_Formal_Specification_Be_Fun_Experience_and_PerspectiveFinal published version, 266 KBLicence: Taverne

Cite this

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title = "Can Learning Formal Specification Be Fun? - Experience and Perspective",

abstract = "Writing formal specifications is a useful skill for students to develop and to grow a positive mindset towards it. Unfortunately this is hampered by the stereotyping of formal method as dry and boring. In this short paper we discuss our experience in using of a computer game called FormalZ as an attempt to introduce some fun in teaching the skill. Two setups are discussed: as an embedded part of a course, and as a loose tutorial, after which we will conclude with the lessons learned.",

keywords = "gamification in teaching formal method, gamification in teaching software engineering, teaching formal method",

author = "Prasetya, \{I. S.W.B.\} and Leek, \{Craig Q.H.D.\} and Roan Oosenbrug and Petar Kostic and Vries, \{Mike De\}",

year = "2020",

month = oct,

day = "1",

doi = "10.1109/ICSTW50294.2020.00078",

language = "English",

pages = "437--440",

booktitle = "2020 IEEE International Conference on Software Testing, Verification and Validation Workshops (ICSTW)",

publisher = "IEEE",

address = "United States",

note = "13th IEEE International Conference on Software Testing, Verification and Validation Workshops, ICSTW 2020 ; Conference date: 23-03-2020 Through 27-03-2020",

}

Prasetya, ISWB, Leek, CQHD, Oosenbrug, R, Kostic, P & Vries, MD 2020, Can Learning Formal Specification Be Fun? - Experience and Perspective. in 2020 IEEE International Conference on Software Testing, Verification and Validation Workshops (ICSTW)., 9155935, IEEE, pp. 437-440, 13th IEEE International Conference on Software Testing, Verification and Validation Workshops, ICSTW 2020, Porto, Portugal, 23/03/20. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICSTW50294.2020.00078

Can Learning Formal Specification Be Fun? - Experience and Perspective. / Prasetya, I. S.W.B.; Leek, Craig Q.H.D.; Oosenbrug, Roan et al.
2020 IEEE International Conference on Software Testing, Verification and Validation Workshops (ICSTW). IEEE, 2020. p. 437-440 9155935.

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › Academic › peer-review

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AU - Oosenbrug, Roan

AU - Kostic, Petar

AU - Vries, Mike De

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AB - Writing formal specifications is a useful skill for students to develop and to grow a positive mindset towards it. Unfortunately this is hampered by the stereotyping of formal method as dry and boring. In this short paper we discuss our experience in using of a computer game called FormalZ as an attempt to introduce some fun in teaching the skill. Two setups are discussed: as an embedded part of a course, and as a loose tutorial, after which we will conclude with the lessons learned.

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KW - gamification in teaching software engineering

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DO - 10.1109/ICSTW50294.2020.00078

M3 - Conference contribution

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Y2 - 23 March 2020 through 27 March 2020

ER -

Can Learning Formal Specification Be Fun? - Experience and Perspective

Abstract

Conference

Keywords

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