Title: Learning object-orientation by professional adults

Authors: Jens Bennedsen, Annita Fjuk

Addresses: IT-University West, Denmark. ' InterMedia, University of Oslo, Norway

Abstract: Object-orientation has become a main paradigm of programming in industry as well as in computer science and engineering education. Many have no knowledge of object-orientation. This study involved interviewing professional programmers learning object-orientation at university level. The interviews focused on the relationship between a course and the learners| working lives with respect to three aspects: content, tools, and social communities. We find that the learners do not need a direct link between course-content and their professional practices. Neither do they need to use professional tools. It is considered important that the teachers understands the learners| practices and speaks |their languages|.

Keywords: object-orientation; further education; integration; work competences; adult learning; professional programmers; object-oriented programming; working practices; life-long learning; continuing education.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCEELL.2006.011890

International Journal of Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning, 2006 Vol.16 No.6, pp.453 - 465

Published online: 30 Dec 2006 *

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