Facilitating model checking learning through experiential learning

Abstract

In this ever-changing world when our students are being prepared for jobs that are not being invented yet, the educational system is forced to step into a new era of education over night. To gain effectiveness, the new approach in education should design the learning process in such a way that will reinforce students motivation for learning and improve their learning experience. Considering the context described above, this paper outlines how the experiential learning approach was applied to facilitate learning in computer science education at a course taught in a ``Software engineering'' master program at the Babes-Bolyai University. Further, it is illustrated how this approach in teaching model checking was constructed and conducted, both theoretical concepts and practical based activities. The results of quantitative and qualitative analyses acknowledge the effectiveness and efficiency of the experiential learning approach in teaching model checking. The perceptions and opinions of the students were collected through surveys and an independent t-test statistical test that compares grades with different teaching strategies was used.