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Emerging Results, Vision & Reflection Track Paper
DOI: 10.4230/LIPIcs.ESEM.2026.66
Does Gamification Improve Video-Based Soft Skills Training of Software Engineering Professionals?

Authors: Pasan Peiris, Matthias Galster, Antonija Mitrovic, Sanna Malinen, Raul Vincent Lumapas, and Jay Holland

Published in: LIPIcs, Volume 394, 20th International Symposium on Empirical Software Engineering and Measurement (ESEM 2026)

Abstract
Soft skills are essential for software engineers. For example, effective communication and collaboration are critical for the design and delivery of software solutions. However, many organizations lack the resources to systematically support soft skills training. Although video-based training provides a flexible approach, it easily leads to shallow learning. To support engagement, active video watching integrates reflective activities, such as commenting on videos and reviewing peers’ comments. Gamifying these activities can further increase engagement. However, effective gamified training must carefully consider the target audience of the training. Therefore, this emerging results paper investigates the impact of gamification on the engagement, learning, and attitudes of software professionals participating in video-based soft skills training. We conducted an experiment involving 48 software professionals who completed a presentation skills training program. Our findings indicate that gamified video-based training did not significantly improve engagement or learning when compared to a non-gamified training. Nevertheless, participants generally expressed more positive attitudes toward gamified training. Based on these findings, we discuss several design considerations for technology-supported professional development for software professionals.
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Pasan Peiris, Matthias Galster, Antonija Mitrovic, Sanna Malinen, Raul Vincent Lumapas, and Jay Holland. Does Gamification Improve Video-Based Soft Skills Training of Software Engineering Professionals?. In 20th International Symposium on Empirical Software Engineering and Measurement (ESEM 2026). Leibniz International Proceedings in Informatics (LIPIcs), Volume 394, pp. 66:1-66:14, Schloss Dagstuhl – Leibniz-Zentrum für Informatik (2026)

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@InProceedings{peiris_et_al:LIPIcs.ESEM.2026.66,
  author =	{Peiris, Pasan and Galster, Matthias and Mitrovic, Antonija and Malinen, Sanna and Lumapas, Raul Vincent and Holland, Jay},
  title =	{{Does Gamification Improve Video-Based Soft Skills Training of Software Engineering Professionals?}},
  booktitle =	{20th International Symposium on Empirical Software Engineering and Measurement (ESEM 2026)},
  pages =	{66:1--66:14},
  series =	{Leibniz International Proceedings in Informatics (LIPIcs)},
  ISBN =	{978-3-95977-450-5},
  ISSN =	{1868-8969},
  year =	{2026},
  volume =	{394},
  editor =	{Feldt, Robert and Paasivaara, Maria and Mendez, Daniel and Wagner, Stefan and Bar\'{o}n, Marvin Mu\~{n}oz},
  publisher =	{Schloss Dagstuhl -- Leibniz-Zentrum f{\"u}r Informatik},
  address =	{Dagstuhl, Germany},
  URL =		{https://drops.dagstuhl.de/entities/document/10.4230/LIPIcs.ESEM.2026.66},
  URN =		{urn:nbn:de:0030-drops-280344},
  doi =		{10.4230/LIPIcs.ESEM.2026.66},
  annote =	{Keywords: Software engineering, Soft Skills, Gamification, Video-based training, Empathy, Communication Skills, Professional development}
}

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