Mobile Applications in Higher Education

Abstract

In a previous study, a practicum-based approach to bridge the gap between industry expectations and Information Systems (IS) graduates' skills was discussed from the students' point of view. The practicum project was initiated to enable students to experience real work in the IS domain in accordance with their professional aspirations and their desired specialty. To complete the whole picture, in this article, we present the employers' point of view as regards to the benefits the students gained from the project and compare between the two points of view. Semi-structured questionnaire and in-depth interviews with employers who participated in the project in the last four years were conducted in order to reveal their perceptions. Many similarities exist between the employers' and the students' perceptions but also some differences stemming from different perspectives on the process were found. The employers' perspectives were discussed and also the differences between the students'; and the employers'; perceptions.