Research Summary: WIP: DBWorkout: A Gamified SQL Practice Platform to Support Formative Learning in Database Courses

This research outlines DBWorkout, a web-based platform designed to enhance formative SQL learning for undergraduate students. It addresses challenges in interactive practice and immediate feedback by offering sandbox-based execution, automated result-based feedback, and gamification. The platform also leverages large language models (LLMs) to assist instructors with schema and task generation, aiming to reduce workload.

Why it matters

The development of DBWorkout signifies an advancement in pedagogical approaches for technical skill acquisition, particularly in database management. It addresses critical gaps in traditional learning methodologies by integrating interactive practice, immediate feedback, and workload reduction for educators, which can lead to more effective and scalable training programs.

Key insights

• DBWorkout is a web-based platform for formative SQL learning.
• It provides sandbox-based execution and automated multi-dimensional feedback on query correctness (row values, column structure, ordering).
• The platform incorporates session-based gamification to engage students.
• Large language model (LLM)-assisted tools are used for schema and task generation, aiming to reduce instructor workload.
• A pilot study involving teaching assistants is underway to evaluate the platform's effectiveness.

Source

arXiv — Computers and Society — https://arxiv.org/abs/2610.01174