2025/04/27 by Philipp Straubinger, Straubinger, Philipp, Tim Greller +3
Computer Science · Psychology · #Educational Games and Gamification #FOS: Computer and information sciences #Software Engineering (cs.SE) #Software Engineering Techniques and Practices #Teaching and Learning Programming
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2504.19287
openalex publication_date 2025/04/27 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
Teaching software testing and debugging is a critical yet challenging task in computer science education, often hindered by low student engagement and the perceived monotony of these activities. Sojourner under Sabotage, a browser-based serious game, reimagines this learning experience by blending education with an immersive and interactive storyline. Players take on the role of a spaceship crew member, using unit testing and debugging techniques to identify and repair sabotaged components across seven progressively challenging levels. A study with 79 students demonstrates that the game is a powerful tool for enhancing motivation, engagement, and skill development. These findings underscore the transformative potential of serious games in making essential software engineering practices accessible and enjoyable.