Designing and developing ICT curriculum in the 21st century using a modernistic curriculum model in contemporary higher education

Abstract

The design and development of ICT curriculum at higher education institutions in recent times is highly complex. The aim of this paper is to present a product model for the design and development of a variety of three year ICT programme types. This is achieved by conducting an in-depth study into existing ICT product models as well as extrapolating the critical skills for students in the 21st century from the extant of literature. The strategy of inquiry employed was a case study of curriculum renewal in the Department of Information Technology at the Durban University of Technology. The research study was qualitative with Participatory Action Research and Focus Group Interviews employed for data collection. The findings resulted in the creation of a best practice product model for the renewal of ICT curriculum. This model impacts how ICT programmes are designed and developed at higher education institutions in the 21st century. As an implication of this study the researchers suggest that this model be reviewed and updated regularly to accommodate the dynamic nature of ICT.