The Use of Game Elements and Scenarios for Teaching and Learning the Function Point Analysis Technique: A Experimental Study

Abstract

Currently, the development of new technologies occurs at all times, and tied to this is the increased competition between organizations. Based on this principle, it is essential that they seek to achieve quality in the development of their applications. One of the essential tools for this is Function Point Analysis (FPA). In view of this scenario, it is indispensable that the students have contact with this technique as soon as possible. Thus, this study aims to use the games concepts and elements to stimulate support for teaching and engaging student motivation in learning this technique of software estimation, which was taught in a postgraduate course in computer science in an brazilian federal university. For that, classes were defined to teach the FPA technique that used games elements as motivation for the students. Therefore, this research resulted in an enrichment of the knowledge of these students in the practice of estimation, commonly present and recommended the use in software quality models. This work aims to contribute to the teaching of the FPA technique for students, aiming at a better preparation for the software development market. It was also verified that the use of Gamification elements and learning scenarios for the teaching of this estimation technique was efficient, since the participating students were more dedicated to the tasks and were participative in all the different types of classes.