This paper presents the findings from a pilot study which explored the impact of embedding work-related learning activities in the first-year computing curriculum at Glasgow Caledonian University. Students worked in teams on practical projects which were formally assessed and the researchers gathered student feedback using two online surveys (n=159) and focus groups (n=29). The findings indicate that 85% of the students felt that their learning on the module had improved their employability skills but that their confidence levels in most skills were lower at the end of the module. The paper suggests that first-year students' realistic awareness of their own skills gaps leads to more focused learning in their remaining years of study.
Confederation of British Industry (CBI) (2011), Building for Growth: Business Priorities for Education and Skills: Education and Skills Survey 2011, CBI, London.
4.
ConnorH.MacFarlaneK. (2006), Work-Related Learning in Higher Education – a Scoping Study, Centre for Research in Lifelong Learning, Glasgow Caledonian University, available at: http://www.gla.ac.uk/media/media_89930_en.pdf.
5.
CoxS.KingD. (2006), ‘Skill sets: An approach to embed employability in course design’, Education and Training, Vol 48, No 4, pp 262–274.
6.
DevlinM.MarshallL.PhillipsC. (2007), Active Learning in Computing: Engaging Learners in a Cross-Site Team Project, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Computing Science, Technical Report Series, No CS–TR–997.
7.
EsteyA.GoochA.GoochB. (2009), ‘Addressing industry issues in a multi-disciplinary course on game design’, in Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Foundations of Digital Games, Port Canaveral, FL.
GrubaP.Al-MahmoodR. (2004), ‘Strategies for communication skills development’, in Proceedings of 6th Australasian Computing Education Conference (ACE2004), Dunedin.
10.
HawkinsP.GilleardC. (2007), If Only I Had Known: Making the Most of Higher Education, Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR) and Connexions, Warwick.
11.
Higher Education Careers Services Unit (HECSU) and Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (AGCAS) (2011), What Do Graduates Do ?HECSU/AGCAS, London.
12.
Institute of Directors (IOD) (2007), Graduate Employability Skills, December 2007, IOD Skills Briefing, IOD, London.
13.
KnightP.T.YorkeM. (2003), Assessment, Learning and Employability, Open University Press and McGraw Hill Education, Maidenhead.
LeveyC.HopkinsL. (2010), Shaping Up for Innovation: Are We Delivering the Right Skills for the 2020 Knowledge Economy? A Knowledge Economy Programme Report, The Work Foundation, London.
16.
McGillM. (2009), ‘Defining the expectation gap: A comparison of industry needs and existing game development curriculum’, in Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Foundations of Digital Games, Port Canaveral, FL.
