A Conceptual Graphs Framework for Teaching UML Model-Based Requirements Acquisition

Abstract

Students that first learn multiple-viewed requirements modeling with UML diagrams tend to create incomplete and inconsistent models. Complex requirements and numerous modeling elements in UML often overwhelm students and make it hard for them to even notice such flaws in the models. Useful feedback can help students revise their UML models to be more complete. In this paper, we introduce a novel approach of teaching UML modeling and requirements acquisition. A knowledge-based framework is proposed to help reveal incompleteness and inconsistency in a set of models developed by students. This approach can drive the process of acquiring requirements for each UML model. The proposed framework is based on a central knowledge representation, the conceptual graphs.