EuroSTAR Software Testing Conference 2013 presentation on Alternative Paths for Self-Education in Software Testing by Markus Gartner . See more at: http://conference.eurostarsoftwaretesting.com/past-presentations/

1. Alternative Paths for Self-Education In Software Testing
Markus Gärtner -http://blog.shino.de -Twitter: @mgaertnehttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Education_-_Grad_Hat_-_Jordan.png

2. Education in Software Testing
My story
University studies until October 2005
1st position as a software tester April 2006
1st training course in software testing: October 2007
Appointed a software testing group lead position in September 2007!

3. Who is responsible for your education?
Your employer?
Your superior?
Your teacher back in school?
Maybe your husband/wife?
Your kids?

4. Who is responsible for your education?

5. YOU!
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Uncle_Sam_(pointing_finger).jpg

6. Feedback
Start a personal blog or private journal
Write an article
Contribute to mailing lists
Involve yourself in social media
Twitter
LinkedIn
Software Testing Club
Weekend Testing

7. Learn to program
Scripting languages: Ruby, Python, Groovy
Design Patterns
Technology: TDD, Mocking
Pairing
http://stevelucasmetz.blogspot.com/2008/01/rambo-baby.html

8. Hypothesis vs. Synthesis
Hypothesis
Books
Rapid Software Testing
Black-box software testing
Buccaneer-scholar
Synthesis
Black-box software testing
Testing Dojos & Challenges
Weekend Testing
Miagi-Do school
http://wordandimage.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/brain.gif

9. Bookshttp://blog.lib.umn.edu/isss/isss/2009/02/

10. Rapid Software Testing
DevelopedbyJames Bach andMichael Bolton
Taughtasa course, but slidesavailableonline:
http://www.satisfice.com/rst.pdf
Contents include:
Whatistesting?
The Heuristic Test
StrategyModel
Heuristics, Oracles
andthetester‘smind
… andmuchmore
http://s0.geograph.org.uk/photos/06/47/064756_80eeb599.jpg

11. Black-box Software Testing
Developed by Cem Kaner and James Bach
Online courses by AST
Videos online available:
http://www.testingeducation.org/BBST/
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1b/Peering_Inside_the_Black_Box.jpg

12. Black-box Software Testing
Bug advocacy
Testing techniques
Domain testing
Scenario testing
Function testing
Risk-based testing
Combination testing
Specification-based testing
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1b/Peering_Inside_the_Black_Box.jpg

13. Buccaneer-scholar
Book by James Bach
Learning heuristics
SACKED SCOWS
Long Leash Heuristic
Obsess and Forget Heuristic
Procrastinate and Push Heuristic
… are just some of the underlying principles
http://running-wild.net/pics/content/gallery/tattoos/04.jpg

14. Testing Challenges
Testingchallenges
Practicalexerciseof testingskills
Haveinternetwill test:http://www.satisfice.com/blog/archives/322
http://www.defibolivie2010.org/challenge_Sajama.jpg

15. Testing Dojos
Similar to Coding Dojos
Collaboration
Save Environment
Deliberate Practice
Content:
Single Testing vs. Paired Testing
Test this, Evaluate Tools, Learn new approaches
http://www.matrix-architekt.de/bilder/desktop/dojo.jpg

16. Weekend Testing
Testing on the weekend online
Typical session:
1 hour Practical testing
1 hour Discussion
Content:
Test this
Evaluate tools
Learn new approaches
Watch out for traps!

17. Miagi-Do School of Software Testing
Founded by Matt Heusser
Non-commercial, zero-profit
Improve testing skill
Through practice
Belt system
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2074/2200982710_8cf8e0d422.jpg

18. Summary
Education is your repsonsibility
Different styles
Feedback
Hypothesis
Synthesis
You may have preferences for one or the other, but you should apply as much as possible