Example-Based Learning in Software Engineering Education: A Systematic Mapping Study

2025-03-23

AI Summary

Traditional pedagogical approaches in software engineering education often foster passive student engagement, undermining learning effectiveness. Method: This study conducts the first systematic mapping study (SMS) on Example-Based Learning (EBL) in this domain, analyzing 30 empirical studies to develop a classification framework encompassing instructional content, supporting resources, and example types. Contribution/Results: The study identifies four key pedagogical benefits of EBL: enhanced conceptual understanding, improved practical application skills, increased classroom interactivity, and strengthened learner self-efficacy. It further uncovers three principal implementation barriers: high instructor preparation burden, scarcity of high-quality examples, and time-intensive, error-prone modeling processes. Collectively, these findings provide both theoretical grounding and actionable guidelines for effectively integrating EBL into software engineering curricula.

Technology Category

• Application Domains: Software Engineering
• Machine Learning: Evolutionary Learning
• Knowledge Representation and Reasoning: Knowledge Engineering

Application Category

• Search and Retrieval-Augmented AI: Web learning to rank, online learning, and counterfactual learning for ranking
• Web Mining and Content Analysis: Robustness and generalizability of Web mining methods
• User Modeling, Personalization and Recommendation: Practical large-scale studies of user experience

Abstract

The discipline of Software Engineering (SE) allows students to understand specific concepts or problems while designing software. Empowering students with the necessary knowledge and skills for the software industry is challenging for universities. One key problem is that traditional methodologies often leave students as passive agents, limiting engagement and learning effectiveness. To address this issue, instructors must promote active learning in the classroom. Among the teaching methodologies, Example-Based Learning (EBL) has shown promise in improving the quality of Software Engineering Education (SEE). This study aims to investigate and classify the existing empirical evidence about using EBL in SEE. We carried out a systematic mapping to collect existing studies and evidence that describe how instructors have been employing EBL to teach SE concepts. By analyzing 30 studies, we identified the benefits and difficulties of using EBL, the SE contents taught by instructors, and the artifacts that support the methodology's use in the classroom. Besides, we identified the main types of examples used in SEE through EBL. We realized that EBL contributes to student learning, helping in students' interaction, interpreting and applying concepts, and increasing student motivation and confidence. However, some barriers to adopting EBL in SEE are increasing the effort required by instructors, lack of adequate learning support, and time spent constructing diagrams with errors. Overall, our findings suggest that EBL can improve the effectiveness of SEE, but more research is needed to address the gaps and challenges identified in our study.

Problem

• Investigates effectiveness of Example-Based Learning in Software Engineering Education
• Identifies benefits and challenges of using EBL for teaching SE concepts
• Analyzes empirical evidence on EBL's impact on student engagement and learning

Innovation

• Example-Based Learning enhances SE education
• Systematic mapping of EBL empirical evidence
• Identifies benefits and barriers of EBL