Use of Metrics and their Visualisations in Software Engineering Projects

In this paper, we describe an observational investigation that explores whether creating visualisation systems using software metrics promotes reflection. We presented metric visualisations to six groups, in separate sessions, from an undergraduate software engineering project course, each consisting of 7-8 students. The results and feedback from these sessions were used to build upon the visualisation system to improve them. Feedback and recorded statements from the students showed that the students reflected but were primarily focused on performance in their course. Delayed questions to the groups showed that the engagement was increased in all groups. It was found that for the visualisations to be of use to the students they must provide direct information about the student’s code base, such as telling students where to look to find possible faults. This information is then used to create a visualisation system which looks to address the issues students had with the initial implementation