The IMPRESS project is divided into three outputs.

The first output (O1) aims to improve classroom engagement by converting fundamental parts of the theoretical body of knowledge on Software Engineering into gamified interactive content. For example, quizzes that include essential game elements such as graphics, points, badges, high scores, etc., and promote active student participation with their mobile devices.

The concrete outcome of the project will be a collection of interactive gamified content to support a standard Software Engineering course at the Bachelor or Master level.

The second output (O2) aims to improve practical learning of selected Software Engineering techniques related to quality assurance. While gamification is now often applied to teach and practice coding, its use to teach quality assurance topics is novel. In particular, we will develop gamified interactive content to teach students key techniques related to specifying and testing software. The project will deliver a collection of practical concepts mapped to puzzles in the context of two games:

  • Code Defenders
  • Formalz

These puzzles will be organized in an engaging and customized narrative using automated storytelling techniques, and collectively the content can be used by lecturers as accompanying teaching material in their classes.

The third output (O3) will evaluate and refine the gamified Software Engineering interactive content, we will conduct pilots at all partners in Year 2 and Year 3. These pilots will evaluate the effectiveness, improve the contents, and refine recommendations for further exploitation of the products. All aspects of the project will be supported with state of the art learning analytics, both online in the classroom, as well as offline (e.g. to be included on a course’s website); these analytics will further support the evaluation in the scope of the project.

All the gamified interactive content produced by IMPRESS will be provided as free, open and public assets. Consequently,universities and learners from all over the world can benefit from them.