DevOps as a Pedagogical Framework for Integrating Information and Communication Technologies into the Professional Training of IT Specialists

Abstract

The article discusses updating the content and methods of professional training for information technology (IT) specialists in the context of digital educational transformation. The labor market requires university graduates to have in-depth knowledge of programming and administration, as well as the ability to work in integrated teams and use modern information and communication technologies and automation tools. However, traditional training models have been found to focus primarily on fundamental components, creating a gap between academic education and employer demands. To bridge this gap, the article proposes using the DevOps methodology as a pedagogical framework to integrate ICT into the educational process. A conceptual model of professional training for IT specialists has been developed that includes target, content, procedural-technological, and result-oriented blocks. In this model, DevOps is considered an element that forms the system of the educational process, combining theoretical training, practice-oriented tasks, and the use of innovative technology. Particular attention is paid to developing DevOps competence as an integrated skill set encompassing cognitive, activity-oriented, communicative, and reflective components. The results showed that implementing the DevOps pedagogical framework significantly increased the level of professional competence. Students in the experimental groups demonstrated confidence in using DevOps tools, the ability to work effectively in teams using information and communication technologies and awareness of the importance of continuous improvement. A comparative analysis of the control and experimental groups' results, confirmed by statistical methods, proved the data's reliability. This study's practical significance lies in its potential application in higher education institutions and professional development systems. This approach can modernize IT education programs and produce graduates who can operate effectively in the modern labor market and digital economy.