IT Employers’ Expectations from their Employees Regarding Java Programming Language

Abstract

In this paper, the authors strive to set out a methodology for the learning outcomes revaluation using object-oriented programming higher education courses regarding JAVA™ programming language as a pilot sample in the evaluation and adjustment process that needs to be done periodically. For that purpose, authors analyze learning outcomes and hourly rate of the teaching subjects in the JAVA™ courses (EQF/CROQF level 6 and 7) at different higher education institutions with an aim to set out a solid base for employers in the IT industry to provide feedback from the labor market and suggest the segments for further improvement. Employers were asked to fill out a survey in which they needed to assess (on a scale from 1 to 5) how much their employees knew about each of the segments, i.e., for each learning outcome or content topic that was covered by the JAVA™ programming language in the class. According to the employers and in relation to the defined learning outcomes, their employees needed additional education in almost all segments of object-oriented JAVA programming, especially in two segments. In this paper, the authors present in detail the obtained analysis and the results of the conducted survey regarding IT employees with guidelines that should be considered in the revision of existing syllabuses and curriculums.