Al-Sakkaf, Abdullah and Omar, Mazni and Ahmad, Mazida (2019) A systematic literature review of student engagement in software visualization: a theoretical perspective. Computer Science Education. pp. 1-27. ISSN 0899-3408

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Abstract

Background and Context: In spite of the decades spent developing software visualization (SV), doubts still remain regarding their effectiveness. Furthermore, student engagement plays an important role in improving SV effectiveness as it is correlated with many positive academic outcomes. It has been shown that the existing SV has failed to engage students effectively.Objective: Therefore, there is a need to understand the theories behind SV design from the engagement perspective to produce a roadmap for future tool construction. The aim of this study was to identify the theories have been used in literature to explain or construct student engagement with SV in computer science courses for novices. Method: We performed a systematic literature review that identified a total of 58 articles published between 2011 and 2017, which were then selected for the study. However, among them, only 18 articles had discussed their theoretical framework. Findings: The results of this study show a richness in the theoretical framework obtained from different disciplines, however, constructivism is still dominant in the computing education research (CER) domain. It is evidently clear from the findings that the theories generated from the CER domain are needed to enhance the effectiveness of SV. Implications: As a result of this review, we suggest several design principles and engagement attributes to be considered while creating an engaging SV.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Systematic literature review; software visualization; program visualization;learning theory; introductory programming education; engagement
Subjects:	Q Science > QA Mathematics > QA75 Electronic computers. Computer science
Divisions:	School of Computing
Depositing User:	Mrs. Norazmilah Yaakub
Date Deposited:	29 Jan 2019 06:14
Last Modified:	29 Jan 2019 06:14
URI:	https://repo.uum.edu.my/id/eprint/25520

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