By Sharon Goh, School of InfoComm Technology

Introduction

The School of InfoComm Technology (ICT) has sought to ensure that our programmes are relevant and reflect the ever-changing IT industry. In response to industry needs we made changes to our modules so that we are better able to support our students.

While we may have prepared our students sufficiently with IT knowledge in the past, we realized that we may not have provided sufficient support to help the students understand the overall role of an IT professional.

In response to this need, we have refined our teaching approaches, modules and courses to introduce a more active student buddy system and to better our efforts in performance improvement programmes. To support the needs of our students, we also introduced new mechanisms for active tracking, early intervention with remedial classes, one-to-one mentoring and counseling.

Key Innovations

The School of ICT developed a new module “Fundamentals for IT Professionals (FP)” to support the new vision. This module provides ICT Year 1 students with exposure to various soft skills, positive thinking habits and mental paradigms to reflect on their attitudes, motivation and sense of purpose.

Goals of the Fundamentals for IT Professionals module

The aim of the Fundamentals for IT Professionals module is to inspire the students to succeed in their present studies while providing the skills to position themselves for their future career in the IT industry; or for further studies.

The module is designed to provide students with a broad introduction to the field of IT. It will provide students with an introduction to the soft skills in problem solving, interpersonal relationships, and team working for developing an effective IT professional.

While the content-based materials taught in this module are important, the emphasis and significance lies in the creative integration of conceptual skills and learner-centered activities that take learning beyond the content to self-discovery, insight and experiential learning.

Components of the module

Activities in the FIP module are designed to ensure that the information is well assimilated through a learner-centred experience that engages the students. The activities include:

1. Workshops on notebook computer preparation (on how to access the school’s network and facilities) and computer troubleshooting (which helps them to understand the possible problems that may occur).
2. Experiential learning workshop in basic IT skills reduce the IT skills gap among the students;
3. Interactive games and bonding activities among the students and mentors.
4. Cross-disciplinary projects help to hone work competencies such as presentation, research and evaluation skills. The projects also help the students to see the relevance of the module to their future careers. Students are required to complete an assignment that allows them to demonstrate their understanding of being an IT professional. This assignment involves topics such as ethical & professional expectations of an IT professional.
5. Industrial visits that ensure a better understanding of the roles, professional practice, ethical expectations and development paths of IT professionals. The visits to organizations such as Microsoft, Singtel and higher tertiary institutes like NUS and SMU also expose students to the soft skills required. The students conduct independent research on the industry, and they need to self-reflect on their talents, strengths and limitations.
6. Following the industrial visit, students need to create a career road map. As a result of their experiences, participants need to profile the requisite set of knowledge, skills, attitude, professional habits and tools that will help them pursue their career objectives.

Close Mentor Involvement

The students’ mentors are assigned to teach the FIP module so that mentors will have opportunities to foster bonding and rapport with their students. Mentors give academic counseling and advice as well as formative and developmental feedback on the student’s attitudes and motivation throughout the semester.

Outcomes and Conclusion

Through this module, students become more aware of their role as an IT professional and are clearer about their own expectations of the ICT course. They acquire soft skills such as team work and a more positive attitude towards a career in IT. This has made the students more motivated in their learning.

The FP module has also fulfilled student learning needs since feedback indicates that students have more clarity with regards to what to expect in their ICT course and as an ICT professional.

Furthermore, the student activities for this module have provided opportunities for integration with ICT faculty. Another positive outcome is the acquisition of soft skills that enhance student attitudes and mindset with regards to their future in the IT industry.

Author

Sharon Goh is a lecturer in the School of InfoComm Technology, Ngee Ann Polytechnic.