Bridging the Gap in Software Engineering Education: Analyzing Learning Behaviors, Challenges, and Resource Effectiveness in Full-Stack Development

In the rapidly evolving field of software engineering, the proficiency with which develop- ers wield their tools significantly impacts their productivity and adaptability. Despite the critical role of these tools, there is a notable gap in research regarding the time investment required for learning them and the effectiveness of various learning resources. This study aims to bridge this gap by investigating the most commonly used full-stack development tools, quantifying the time developers dedicate to mastering these tools, and identifying the factors influencing their learning choices and durations. Through a comprehensive survey and analysis, we explore how developers and CS students discover new tools, decide which ones to learn, and the challenges they encounter during this process. We further evaluate the effectiveness of different learning resources, from formal education to self-directed online learning, in fostering tool proficiency. The findings aim to inform the development of a tar- geted curriculum that can equip engineers with the necessary skills more efficiently, thereby enhancing the overall quality of software engineering education and practice. Building on these insights, this research introduces "LearnMate," an interactive learning tool designed to provide curated learning paths, recommend efficient learning resources, and offer structured guidance tailored to different learning preferences. By leveraging survey findings, LearnMate aims to assist both students and professionals in acquiring proficiency with essential full- stack technologies in a structured and effective manner. This research not only contributes to academic knowledge but also serves as a practical guide for curriculum developers, educators, and practitioners in the software engineering domain. By combining the findings from the survey recommendations with an interactive learning tool, this study paves the way for more effective and efficient learning pathways in the ever-changing technological landscape, ultimately improving software engineering education and professional training.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Computer Science & Applications

Department dc:contributor.department

Computer Science and#38; Applications

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Rajeev, Swetha

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Brown, Dwayne Christian

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Emebo, Onyeka
• Seyam, Mohammed Saad Mohamed Elmahdy

• Full-stack development
• Software tools
• Learning Resources
• Curriculum development
• Software engineering education.

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en

Dc Identifier Other

vt_gsexam:44248

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/134985