Title :
What competences do employers, staff and students expect from a Computer Science graduate?
Author :
Kabicher, Sonja ; Motschnig-Pitrik, Renate ; Figl, Kathrin
Author_Institution :
Res. Lab. for Educ. Technol., Univ. of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
Abstract :
The higher education sector is faced with several strategic decisions in order to maximize quality, impact, and competitiveness. In the context of ¿engineering¿ competences and learning outcomes one core challenge is the inclusion of curriculum stakeholders in prioritizing subject-specific and generic competences in study programs. In this paper we present an empirical study in which methods like a qualitative content analysis of job offers and questionnaires are applied to find out what competences are considered essential by employers and instructors. Results show how instructors and employers value competences and in how far stakeholders´ views differ. Furthermore, strategies for the transfer of the findings into the computer science (CS) curriculum are discussed, e.g. the development and use of a generic-competence matrix, scenarios for competence facilitation, and workshops with teaching and administration staff.
Keywords :
computer science education; personnel; teaching; administration staff; computer science curriculum; computer science graduate; curriculum stakeholders; higher education sector; qualitative content analysis; teaching; Computer science; Computer science education; Concrete; Educational programs; Educational technology; Employment; Europe; Process design; Qualifications; CS curricula; competences; curriculum stakeholders´ inclusion;
Conference_Titel :
Frontiers in Education Conference, 2009. FIE '09. 39th IEEE
Conference_Location :
San Antonio, TX
Print_ISBN :
978-1-4244-4715-2
Electronic_ISBN :
0190-5848
DOI :
10.1109/FIE.2009.5350536