Andragogical teaching patterns appropriate for work-integrated learning in the information technology industry

This paper examines the teaching patterns of experts employed in the information technology (IT) industry. The objective was to study the teaching patterns that are used to develop new IT workers in organizations. Thematic content analysis was conducted on interviews with thirty-four IT professionals working in IT and non-IT industries with experience of mentoring new workers. The study investigated the use of adult-learning theory in four teaching patterns: time-based, function-based, technical-task-based, and case-based. Indications for the applications of the various patterns are described in detail. The researchers suggest the use of the patterns identified to optimize the process of enhancing the ability of IT students involved in work-integrated learning projects.