Challenges in learning UML: From the perspective of diagrammatic representation and reasoning

• Main Authors: SHEN, Z., TAN, S., SIAU, Keng
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 2018
• Subjects: UML; Diagrammatic Representation; Diagrammatic Reasoning; Learning Challenges; Concept Mapping; Databases and Information Systems; Instructional Media Design
• Online Access: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/sis_research/9370; https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/context/sis_research/article/10370/viewcontent/Challenges_in_Learning_Unified_Modeling_Language__From_the_Perspective_of_Diagrammatic_Representation_and_Reasoning.pdf
• Institution: Singapore Management University

Unified modeling language (UML) is widely taught in the information systems (IS) curriculum. To understand UML in IS education, this paper reports on an empirical study that taps into students’ learning of UML. The study uses a concept-mapping technique to identify the challenges in learning UML notational elements. It reveals that some technical properties of UML diagrammatic representation, coupled with students’ cognitive attributes, hinder both perceptual and conceptual processes involved in searching, recognizing, and inferring visual information, which creates learning barriers. This paper also discusses how to facilitate perceptual and conceptual processes in instruction to overcome learning challenges. The study provides valuable insights for the IS educators, the UML academic community, and practitioners.