Introduction. The paper deals with the issue of realities and prospects of distance learning at higher education institutions of Ukraine. Distance learning in Ukraine has been implementing for more than twenty years and distant learning technologies are used at most Ukrainian higher education institutions, but the necessity and feasibility of the introduction and development of remote technology is questionable both to faculty and students. The main purpose of this paper is to synthesize the real state of distance learning in Ukraine and outline its development prospects at higher education institutions of Ukraine. Materials and Methods. The paper represents the analysis of the survey results of student answers of four classical, pedagogical, maritime and agrotechnological higher education institutions regarding the practical implementation of distance learning in their institutions. The study of the realities of distance learning in the practice of higher education institutions in Ukraine has been conducted among 102 students. The questions concerned student attitude to distance learning, distance learning organisation, advantages and disadvantages of distance learning. Results. The survey results show all four higher education institutions where the survey has been conducted have the information technology support of distance learning (websites, access to the Internet), students of all four higher education institutions are familiar with distance education, use this technology, but most of them prefer mixed learning. It is partially uncomfortable for students to work remotely with theoretical training materials and practical tasks, but they prefer automated remote testing. The most preferable aspects of the distance learning technology students are reading the theoretical material and viewing video lectures remotely and sending completed assignments over the Internet. According to the opinion of most students, the great advantage of distance learning is the ability to combine work and study and self-determination of the study time and place. As the most significant disadvantage of distance learning, students have indicated that it requires self-motivating learners. Discussion and Conclusion. The research results allow researchers to identify the realities of distance learning in Ukraine consisting in provision students with the access to distance learning at most higher education institutions. Certain prospects of distance learning development in Ukraine such as updating the software, hardware and material resources of higher education institutions, providing the broadband access to the Internet to higher education institutions of Ukraine are highlighted. It has been noted that ensuring the process of obtaining an educational degree (Bachelor’s, Master’s degrees) at higher education institutions of Ukraine is possible by taking massive open distance courses.
The paper deals with the urgent problem of application of virtual reality in foreign language training. Statistical data confirms that the number of smartphone users, Internet users, including wireless Internet users, has been increasing for recent years in Ukraine and tends to grow. The coherence of quick mobile Internet access and presence of supplementary equipment enables to get trained or to self-dependently advance due to usage of virtual reality possibilities for education in the stationary classrooms, at home and in motion. Several important features of virtual reality, its advantages for education are discussed. It is noted that virtual reality is remaining a relatively new technology in language learning. Benefits from virtual reality implementation into foreign language learning and teaching are given. The aspects of immersion and gamification in foreign language learning are considered. It is emphasized that virtual reality creates necessary preconditions for motivation increasing. The results of the survey at two higher education institution as to personal experience in using VR applications for learning foreign languages are presented. Most students at both universities have indicated quite a low virtual reality application usage. Six popular virtual reality applications for foreign language learning (Mondly, VRSpeech, VR Learn English, Gold Lotus, AltSpaceVR and VirtualSpeech) are analyzed. It is stated that the most preferred VR application for foreign language learning includes detailed virtual environment for maximal immersion, high- level visual effects similar to video games, simple avatar control, thorough material selection and complete complicity level accordance of every element and aspect, affordability, helpful and unobtrusive following up.
The paper deals with the urgent problem of enabling better communication of IT-specialists in their business and interpersonal interaction using information and communication technologies, including cloud technologies. It is emphasized, that effective communication is an integral part of the successful professional work of IT-professionals, but in recent years it has undergone significant transformations, which have been expressed in new forms and means of communication, its content changes, its complications and volume increases, the need to improve its accuracy, and the level of understanding for a wide range of people. Certain peculiarities of communication in the IT-environment have been discussed. It is noted that typical forms of communication in the IT-environment are synchronous and asynchronous ones. The authors insist that during their professional career IT-specialists communicate in the professional community from a variety of positions and common types of task formulation can be expressed through verbal or symbolic communication means. Due to the specifics of their professional activities, IT-professionals often need to communicate using synchronous communication (chats, video chats, audio chats, instant messaging) and asynchronous communication (email, forums, comments) tools, hence there is a demand to teach corresponding communication skills at universities. Certain practical examples of teaching communication skills using modern technologies are given. Advantages of cloud technologies for better communication within a company or an educational institution are presented. Microsoft Office 365 services, which can be successfully used to enable better communication and collaboration within a company or an educational institution are analyzed.
The article deals with the urgent issue of American English learning for IT-professionals under challenging conditions of the changeable economic situation in the world. Some statistical data on global education trends and its analysis are given to confirm the topicality of the problem. State-of-the-art trends in foreign language teaching in the context of global challenges are presented. It is stated that informal education environments, distant learning platforms, virtual reality environments, artificial intelligence applications and collaboration platforms are to be mastered by Ukrainian undergraduates. Certain peculiarities of choosing and studying British and American English course by students of IT-specialities at three Ukrainian universities are given: the course choice procedure, the reasons for course preference, and the syllabus content. The best technologies, applications and tools for classroom activities and independent learning are substantiated, specific examples of their application for British and American English course learning are presented. The transferability of the skills inculcated in the course participants through implementation of the certain tools is founded.
The paper deals with the aspects of English communicative pattern implementation into IT professional training. It is emphasized that the communicative pattern usage enhances prompt and fluent profession-related real-life communication and it is the essential part of education of IT specialists. Peculiarities of communication in the IT environment are highlighted. Considering typical situations and issues of communication the guidebook which contains recommendations and communicative patterns for IT undergraduates both for oral and written communication has been developed. In order to evaluate the purposefulness of the guidebook implementation in IT specialist training, two surveys (among lecturers and among undergraduates) of six universities have been conducted. The guidebook has proved to be suitable for practical classes, independent learning and laboratory works in humanities and profession-related disciplines. The survey conducted among English teachers has proved the increased interest, higher motivation and willingness to participate in communicative tasks crucial for specific employment.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.