We need more coverage, stat! classroom experience with the software ICU

For empirical software engineering to reach its fullest potential, we must develop effective, experiential approaches to learning about it in a classroom setting. In this paper, we report on a case study involving a new approach to classroom-based empirical software engineering called the “Software ICU”. In this approach, students learn about nine empirical project “vital signs” and use the Hackystat Framework to put their projects into a virtual “intensive care unit” where these vital signs can be assessed and monitored. We used both questionnaire and log data to gain insight into the strengths and weaknesses of this approach. Our evaluation provides both quantitative and qualitative evidence concerning the overhead of the system; the relative utility of different vital signs; the frequency of use; and the perceived appropriateness outside of the classroom setting. In addition to benefits, we found evidence of measurement dysfunction induced directly by the presence of...

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2009
• Where: ESEM
• Authors: Philip Johnson, Shaoxuan Zhang
• Keywords: Empirical Software Engineering, ESEM 2009, Software Engineering, Software ICU, Vital Signs