University of Nebraska at Omaha DigitalCommons@UNO Student Work 4-2014 Test-Driven Learning in High School Computer Science Ryan Stejskal University of Nebraska at Omaha Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/studentwork Part of the Computer Sciences Commons Recommended Citation Stejskal, Ryan, "Test-Driven Learning in High School Computer Science" (2014). Student Work. 2897. https://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/studentwork/2897 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by DigitalCommons@UNO. It has been accepted for inclusion in Student Work by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@UNO. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Test-Driven Learning in High School Computer Science A Thesis Presented to the Department of Computer Science and the Faculty of the Graduate College University of Nebraska In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements of the Degree Master of Science University of Nebraska at Omaha by Ryan Stejskal April 2014 Supervisory Committee: Dr. Harvey Siy Dr. Brian Dorn Dr. Nealy Grandgenett UMI Number: 1554641 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. UMI 1554641 Published by ProQuest LLC (2014). Copyright in the Dissertation held by the Author. Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, MI 48106 - 1346 Test-Driven Learning in High School Computer Science Ryan Stejskal, MS University of Nebraska, 2014 Advisor: Dr. Harvey Siy Abstract Test-driven development is a style of software development that emphasizes writing tests first and running them frequently with the aid of automated testing tools. This development style is widely used in the software development industry to improve the rate of development while reducing software defects. Some computer science educators are adopting the test-driven development approach to help improve student understanding and performance on programming projects. Several studies have examined the benefits of teaching test-driven programming techniques to undergraduate student programmers, with generally positive results. However, the usage of test-driven learning at the high school level has not been studied to the same extent. This thesis investigates the use of test-driven learning in high school computer science classes and whether test-driven learning provides benefits for high school as well as college students. iii Acknowledgements This thesis would not have been possible without the support of many people. I would like to thank the following people who aided me in this work: My committee members, Dr. Harvey Siy, Dr. Brian Dorn, and Dr. Nealy Grandgenett, who took much time out of their busy schedules to give advice and assistance. My colleagues at Westside High School who provided suggestions, and also helped me keep my class work under control as I worked on this thesis. My family, who helped make me the person I am and have always supported me in all my endeavors. And finally, my students in AP Computer Science, without whose cooperation there would have been no study and no thesis, and who frequently surprise me with the depth of their thinking and the strength of their enthusiasm in AP CS. iv Grant Acknowledgement A portion of this research was supported by the National Science Foundation through the Research Experiences for Teachers program under Grant No. CNS-1201136. v Table of Contents Chapter 1 - Background ................................................................................................... 1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 1 Statement of Problem ......................................................................................................................... 2 Hypotheses .......................................................................................................................................... 3 Overview of this Thesis ...................................................................................................................... 4 Chapter 2 - Literature Review ......................................................................................... 5 The Test-Driven Development Process .............................................................................................. 5 Test-Driven Development in the Software Industry ........................................................................... 7 Test-Driven Learning in Education .................................................................................................... 8 Summary ........................................................................................................................................... 13 Chapter 3 - Research Design .......................................................................................... 16 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 16 Description of Westside High School .............................................................................................. 16 Computer Science at Westside High School .................................................................................... 17 AP Computer Science Curriculum ................................................................................................... 19 Preliminary Study ............................................................................................................................. 20 Preliminary Study Participants and Results ...................................................................................... 21 Main Study Design ........................................................................................................................... 23 Main Study Participants .................................................................................................................... 26 Chapter 4 - Results and Discussion ............................................................................... 27 Student Survey #1 ............................................................................................................................. 27 Student Survey #2 ............................................................................................................................. 29 Student Survey #3 ............................................................................................................................. 31 TDD Project Grade Data .................................................................................................................. 39 Analysis of Data ............................................................................................................................... 43 Threats to Validity ............................................................................................................................ 46 Chapter 5 - Conclusions ................................................................................................. 49 Implications for Future Research and for Other Teachers ................................................................ 50 References ........................................................................................................................ 54 Appendix A - Permissions to Conduct Research ......................................................... 57 Westside High School approval to conduct research ....................................................................... 57 UNMC IRB Communication: Study not subject to federal regulations ........................................... 58 Appendix B - Definitions of Terms ................................................................................ 59 Appendix C - Copies of Survey Instruments ................................................................ 61 Survey #1 (given after Linked List Implementation project) ........................................................... 61 Survey #2 (given after Address Book project) ................................................................................. 64 Survey #3 (given after Cops & Robbers project) ............................................................................. 66 Appendix D - Data from Student Surveys and Project Grades .................................. 70 Survey #1 Data ................................................................................................................................. 70 Survey #2 Data ................................................................................................................................. 74 Survey #3 Data ................................................................................................................................. 77 Project Grade Data ............................................................................................................................ 83 Appendix E - Descriptions of Projects using TDL in AP CS ...................................... 84 Appendix F - Sample Student-Created