120 Stahl and Wood
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Chapter VI
Forming IT
Professionals in the
Internet Age:
A Critical Case Study
Bernd Carsten Stahl, De Montfort University, UK
Chris Wood, De Montfort University, UK
Abstract
This chapter considers the question how professional issues can be taught
in an undergraduate environment where little academic experience is to be
expected. It develops a theoretical framework, which justifies the need for
such teaching and indicates that codes of conduct can be a useful vehicle
to address these issues. Given the constructivist teaching theory that was
deemed appropriate for the subject, the chapter proceeds to discuss the
realisation of the teaching of professional standards in a HNC programme
in a UK university. The chapter discusses the result of the module and the
strengths and weaknesses of the approach as well as a follow-up investigation
into student’s views of professionalism.