TY - GEN
T1 - Walk before you run
T2 - 18th International Conference on Evaluation and Assessment in Software Engineering, EASE 2014
AU - Monasor, Miguel J.
AU - Noll, John
AU - Vizcaíno, Aurora
AU - Piattini, Mario
AU - Beecham, Sarah
PY - 2014
Y1 - 2014
N2 - Context: One of the chief challenges of Global Software Development (GSD) is for globally, culturally and linguistically diverse team members to communicate effectively. Failing to meet this challenge can lead to misunderstandings that impede project success. To prepare practitioners for remote and diverse forms of communication we have developed VENTURE: a simulationbased training platform that aims to increase cultural awareness. Aim of study: Having developed a prototype training platform, we now assess whether VENTURE can deliver real learning and increase cultural awareness. Method: A survey was designed based on educational theory. Using a heuristic evaluation approach, a group of potential users trialed the system and completed a proof of learning survey before and after using the platform. Survey results, and VENTURE's own automated assessment scores, were analysed and compared. Results: Results indicate that the platform has the potential to provide useful and meaningful training for cultural awareness in GSD. A secondary result is that the assessment scheme proved useful in providing both evidence of learning and highlighting areas where VENTURE could be improved. Conclusion: Researchers and practitioners can gain an understanding of how to evaluate, train and measure soft skills, such as communication, important to all forms of software development. The methodology applied served to adapt the environment to the needs of potential users and the actual problems of GSD.
AB - Context: One of the chief challenges of Global Software Development (GSD) is for globally, culturally and linguistically diverse team members to communicate effectively. Failing to meet this challenge can lead to misunderstandings that impede project success. To prepare practitioners for remote and diverse forms of communication we have developed VENTURE: a simulationbased training platform that aims to increase cultural awareness. Aim of study: Having developed a prototype training platform, we now assess whether VENTURE can deliver real learning and increase cultural awareness. Method: A survey was designed based on educational theory. Using a heuristic evaluation approach, a group of potential users trialed the system and completed a proof of learning survey before and after using the platform. Survey results, and VENTURE's own automated assessment scores, were analysed and compared. Results: Results indicate that the platform has the potential to provide useful and meaningful training for cultural awareness in GSD. A secondary result is that the assessment scheme proved useful in providing both evidence of learning and highlighting areas where VENTURE could be improved. Conclusion: Researchers and practitioners can gain an understanding of how to evaluate, train and measure soft skills, such as communication, important to all forms of software development. The methodology applied served to adapt the environment to the needs of potential users and the actual problems of GSD.
KW - Cross-cultural project
KW - Education
KW - Global software development
KW - Interactive learning environments
KW - Simulation
KW - Teaching/learning strategies
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84905483352&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1145/2601248.2601271
DO - 10.1145/2601248.2601271
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:84905483352
SN - 9781450324762
T3 - ACM International Conference Proceeding Series
BT - 18th International Conference on Evaluation and Assessment in Software Engineering, EASE 2014
PB - Association for Computing Machinery
Y2 - 12 May 2014 through 14 May 2014
ER -