Visualising career progression for ICT professionals and the implications for ICT curriculum design in higher education
- Authors: Von Konsky, Brian , Jones, Asheley , Miller, Charlynn
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Sixteenth Australasian Computing Education Conference (ACE2014) p. 13-20
- Full Text: false
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- Description: The current environment in higher education calls for more consideration of the linkages between ICT curriculum development, skills capabilities and industry, particularly in light of recent changes in quality and standards agencies. This paper evaluates ICT career progression visualisation methodology and has a threefold purpose: to contribute to a holistic approach to curriculum design and management; to add to materials that aid graduates to better prepare initial professional practice choices for employment in the ICT profession; and to facilitate further dialogue with industry representatives, higher education providers and other ICT stakeholders to ensure undergraduate curricula authentically reflects the skills required within the ICT profession. This paper evaluates SFIA-based tools intended to enable educational designers to visualise ICT career progression pathways and thus inform curriculum design in higher education. Several visualisation techniques are compared using SFIA-based skillsets that were previously published in the literature. The evaluation demonstrates extended radar diagrams are an effective visual representation for capturing the level at which SFIA skill sets are practiced. The research indicates that such representations are well positioned to enhance dialogue amongst stakeholders and contribute to the design of ICT curriculum in a manner that better prepares students for ongoing development in the profession.
Embedding professional skills in the ICT curriculum
- Authors: Konsky, Brian von , Jones, Ashley , Miller, Charlynn
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Electric dreams 30th Ascilite conference 2013 p. 883-887
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- Reviewed:
- Description: This paper reports on a preliminary investigation into the technology and techniques for designing and managing higher education programs in Information and Communications Technology (ICT). The approach outlined is based on the Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA) and is informed by data arising from the Australian Computer Society (ACS) Computer Professional education Program (CPeP). It is intended that this work will inform subsequent research to improve dialogue between Industry Advisory Boards, Professional Societies, and their academic partners as they design, implement, and accredit higher education programs in ICT. It is further intended that this will contribute to the development of ICT curriculum that is aligned with industry expectations and prepares ICT graduates for professional practice. Future directions for improving SFIA based curriculum design and facilitating better stakeholder communication and collaboration are discussed