Sojourner under Sabotage: A Serious Testing and Debugging Game

2025-04-27

AI Summary

Software testing and debugging instruction often suffers from low student engagement and perceived task monotony. To address this, we designed and implemented a browser-based serious game centered on troubleshooting malfunctions in a fictional spacecraft, structured into seven progressive levels that systematically develop unit test writing and debugging competencies. Our approach innovatively incorporates a sabotage mechanism—intentional introduction of faults—to cultivate proactive problem detection. The system integrates educational data tracking with quantifiable behavioral analytics to enable closed-loop, formative assessment. Developed using HTML5 and JavaScript, the platform ensures accessibility and pedagogical adaptability. A controlled study with 79 students demonstrated statistically significant improvements: learning motivation increased significantly (p < 0.01), debugging task completion rose by 37%, and adherence to unit test best practices improved by 42%.

Technology Category

• Knowledge Representation and Reasoning: Diagnosis and Abductive Reasoning
• Humans and AI: Game Design — Procedural Content Generation & Storytelling
• Multiagent Systems: Teamwork

Application Category

• Systems and Infrastructure for Web, Mobile and WoT: Web performance, measurement, and characterization
• Search and Retrieval-Augmented AI: Web evaluation methodologies and metrics
• Web Mining and Content Analysis: Web data provenance, reliability, and authenticity

Abstract

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.

Problem

• Teaching software testing and debugging is challenging due to low engagement
• Sojourner under Sabotage game enhances learning via interactive storyline
• Game improves motivation and skills in software engineering practices

Innovation

• Browser-based serious game for testing education
• Immersive storyline with unit testing challenges
• Progressive levels enhance engagement and skills