Developing Workplace Dispositions for Computing Professionals

Summary

Dr. Shamila Janakiraman, Assistant Professor of Learning Design and Technology, managed a large multi-institutional study focused on competency-based approaches in computing education examining the knowledge, skills, and dispositions valued by computing professionals and employers. This project was conducted in collaboration with faculty at (Purdue University, University of New Hampshire, Towson University, University of Alabama, and others) between 2021 and 2025.

The project included a systematic literature review and semi-structured interviews with 31 computing professionals living in the United States, including software developers, network administrators, systems analysts, web developers, engineering managers, and others. Results from this study revealed that computing professionals and employers valued dispositions such as Collaborative Orientation, Conscientiousness, Intellectual Openness, Self-Regulation, and Lifelong Learning Orientation. The study provides insights into the importance of incorporating dispositions in computing curricula, interrelationship between skills and dispositions, and pedagogical techniques that can be used to cultivate dispositions. Dr. Janakiraman notes, “This research is significant because professionals in any field need to possess certain dispositions to be successful in their careers. As educators we need to be mindful to incorporate instructional strategies that will promote the development of appropriate dispositions.”