Discovering the essence of Software Engineering an integrated game-based approach based on the SEMAT Essence specification

Software processes and Software Engineering (SE) methods belong to those knowledge areas which are challenging to be taught intuitively accessible. The specification “Kernel and Language for Software Engineering Methods (Essence)” [1] claims to deliver an approach to consolidate all essential dimensions of SE-endeavors into an universal compact and actionable kernel. This paper describes the characteristics of the Essence specification with respect to its suitability for use in academic SE education where students get introduced to the world of SE methods and software processes. To enable a deep understanding of the Essence concepts in an academic setting a suitable approach is needed. The integrated approach presented in this paper introduces students stepwise into the concepts of Essence. It lets them explore the concepts in a virtual simulated game environment and finally deploy them in real world SE endeavors. Thereby an efficient and engaging learning arrangement supports the active construction of knowledge. It encourages active exploration, enables the viewing of the learning object from different perspectives and promotes articulation and reflection in social interchange early in the learning process. Key objectives of this approach are to sensitize students for the diversity of dimensions that have to be taken into account in a SE endeavor, to provide a valuable guidance for using SE methods inside and outside of their curriculum and to enable students to transfer their newly acquired knowledge to other contexts.