Abstract
The state university system has been frequently criticized for not producing adequate IT manpower for the development of the country. In responding to this issue, the Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL) has been offering Computer Science, Computer Engineering and various basic IT courses through the distance mode for many years. This study investigates whether a prior knowledge of IT contributes to improved performance in Computer Science education at the university level. This research was carried out using two groups: students who concurrently follow Computer Science and a common IT course in the university and students who follow Computer Science but not a common IT course. Students performance records were used for the analysis. In this research, it is empirically revealed that offering well-designed certificate or diploma programmes in IT at the pre-university level will be of immense benefit. This serves two purposes; firstly, such a programme could be used as a means for preparing students for the degree level Computer Science course. Secondly, it can strengthen IT manpower in the country, as IT knowledge of this level adequately serves the majority of IT needs in the country. It is proposed that the OUSL should respond to this national need by offering more certificate or diploma courses in IT nationwide. Finally, it is also proposed that the OUSL should explore the possibility of private sector collaboration in offering certificate and diploma level programmes in IT nationwide. doi:10.4038/ouslj.v4i0.338 OUSL Journal (2007) Vol.4, (pp.53-71)
Highlights
Information Technology (IT) is widely used in many day-to-day activities and has a tremendous impact on improving the quality of life
It is argued that the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) strategy adopted by the OUSL system can play a leading role in creating opportunities for a wider group of citizens to acquire IT knowledge
This paper presents a new proposal for the OUSL to consider seeking private sector collaboration in offering IT programmes
Summary
Information Technology (IT) is widely used in many day-to-day activities and has a tremendous impact on improving the quality of life. Many institutions have come forward to promote IT education, they are unable to meet the national demand In this context, it is argued that the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) strategy adopted by the OUSL system can play a leading role in creating opportunities for a wider group of citizens to acquire IT knowledge. The ODL allows people to gain education regardless of either the geographical location or of the strict entry requirements to enter the conventional university system For this purpose, the OUSL already has its own nation-wide network of regional and study centers through which all parts of the country could be reached. Based on the research findings, it is revealed that the OUSL should facilitate Certificate level IT education as a means of preparing students for Degree Level IT, Computer Science and Computer Engineering courses This will generate a substantial amount of IT manpower for national development. The final section is on the research into analysis and interpretation of students’ performance in existing IT and Computer Science courses at the OUSL and concludes the paper with a note on further work
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