Improving the Organisation of Independent Work of Students of Higher Education Institutions in a Distance Learning Format

Abstract

The relevance of the subject matter is determined by the fact that Ukrainian higher education institutions in a pandemic are forced to switch to combined or distance learning, but also continue providing quality training for future professionals. Accordingly, there is a need to find effective means and methods of forming the professional competences of future professionals, taking into account the realities of combined and distance learning. The purpose of the study is to analyse scientific publications, the available practical experience of organising independent work of students in the conditions of remote classes and identify ways to optimise this process. The study considers the specific features of the organisation of independent work of students during remote classes. Based on the analysis of scientific sources on the subject matter and the survey, the main shortcomings of organising independent work in higher education institutions during distance learning were identified (lack of relevant methodological skills of teachers; lack of developed algorithms for effective organisation of independent work by students in modern conditions; lack of motivation of some students to master new material). The pedagogical experiment involved 56 teachers and 241 students. Ways to solve the outlined problems were substantiated and suggested. In particular, regarding the first problem, options for organising appropriate methodological work with scientific and pedagogical staff to acquire skills of remote organisation of independent work are proposed. To solve the second problem, it was proposed to structure the independent work of students in a distance format in accordance with the approach of reverse design in learning, which is depicted schematically. To solve the third problem – ways were developed to increase motivation to perform independent work of students who unite in the professional aspect of academic disciplines. Prospects for further research include the specification of the described approach to the organisation of independent work of students on the example of the study of occupational safety disciplines in technical institutions of higher education