Continuous Integration in Computer Science Education: An Action Research Study

• In Event: AERA Poster Session 14
  In Poster Session: Engineering and Computer Science Innovations Poster Session

Abstract

Computer science (CS) students rarely receive early feedback that can help them improve their learning and grades. Continuous integration (CI) is a professional CS practice that automatically provides timely feedback. This study integrated CI into an undergraduate course to increase the amount of feedback students receive and better prepare them for their career. This first iteration of an action-research project evaluated this integration from students’ and teaching assistants’ perspectives. Results revealed the biggest benefit for students was ensuring they would not receive a zero on assignments only because their output or code were in the wrong format. Concerns over initial problems with the CI system and students’ unfamiliarity surfaced. Improvements to CI use are suggested based on participant feedback.

Authors

• Gokce Akcayir, University of Alberta

• Denilson Barbosa, University of Alberta

• Carrie Demmans Epp, University of Alberta