A reflective practice approach for supporting IT skills required by industry through project-based learning

Abstract

This paper reflects on the concerns that IT graduates lack specific skills required in industry and how project-based learning (PBL) can support these skills. An overview of the instructional design of a course module containing only IT capstone projects received from industry is provided. Feedback regarding the IT skills required of graduates are identified in a pilot study using the industry partners that provided the project scopes. The qualitative data is analysed using open coding. Through reflection on the data analysis, recommendations are made towards supporting required IT skills through PBL in a capstone module in an IT degree