Analysing the efficacy of UML in explaining object-oriented concepts to undergraduate computer science students

Abstract

This study used the undergraduate course Object-Oriented Analysis and Design as a case study to assess how the depth of knowledge of object-oriented concepts was developed in preparation for learning the Unified Modeling Language (UML). Two surveys were conducted to assess student learning. The first survey identified the concepts of object orientation that students should be aware of while taking object-oriented courses. The second survey examined the depth of knowledge gained from learning UML. The results show that teaching UML significantly increases students’ knowledge of UML compared to just learning it in object-oriented courses. This study concluded with reflections on the effectiveness of UML as an approach to developing the concept when taught at the undergraduate level.