Online foreign language education during the COVID-19 pandemic – teachers’ perspective

The pandemic that started in 2020 significantly influenced the situations of students and teachers, who stopped attending regular schools, with all classes happening online. Distant education itself transformed a lot, and the activities performed by teachers in autumn were definitely more advanced than those from the beginnings in spring. Teachers developed their ICT skills, and generally feel more comfortable teaching online. They notice some advantages of more systematic application of ICT and the distant form of education, however there are some drawbacks of it that cannot be easily overcome.

Verbalization vs visualization: the issues of interaction and communication

the article contrasts two technologies of distant education and scientific activity: visual (presentations) and verbal (by correspondence, Newtonian). The advantages and disadvantages of both technologies are considered, and a preference is given to writing aimed at thinking.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES IN DISTANT EDUCATION AS A FACTOR OF SUBJECT ACTIVITY DEVELOPMENT

Work's purpose is an opening of information technologies role in distant education for development of subject activity. As a result of research the role of information technologies in distant education for development of subject activity is exposed. It is rotined psychological phenomenon of subject activity is determined as a measure of purposefulness display of individual acivity which is aimed at transformation of external (objective) or/and internal (subjective) reality. In a copula with forming of independence, criticism of perception, intention and abilities for permanent self-training, activity and initiativeness, information educational technologies are connected for condition forming, in which high-efficiency thought and subject activity are formed. Learner is perceived not as passive object of learning, but as an active subject which internalizes knowledge in the process of his/her activity, carries out subject activity, puts and achieves educational goals. Setting of learning aims of students from teacher's side is replaced by their own educational aims determination, construction of individual trajectories and rates of education, depending on own personality features, necessities, advantages and persuasions. Thus, information technologies become not instruments of teachers influence on students for translation of «prepared knowledges», but instruments of opening of their own subject activity, independent intellectual creation, thought. Distant learning and education, foremost in the context of virtual educational environments functioning, are factors of subject activity development of educational process participants. Among technologies assist this development, distant educational courses, internet trainings, webinars, video conferences, on-line discussions in the format of chats and groups in social networks etc. are especially selected.

THE ROLE OF DISTANT LEARNING IN THE SYSTEM OF CHOREOGRAPHERS’ TRAINING

The article deals with the role of distant learning in the system of students-choreographers’ training in the universities of Ukraine. Distant education is considered currently to be a constituent of the education process. That is why teachers and art students pay a lot of attention to it.The aim of the research is to analyze the distant learning opportunities and how to apply them while training students-choreographers.Introduction of distant education in Ukraine has been stipulated by objective demands of modern society. Its strategic aim is to ensure the right of getting any level of education for the citizens in the place of their permanent living and professional activities.Positive and negative aspects of distant learning, which make an influence on the quality of choreographers’ training have been analyzed. Namely, the application in the teaching activities, not only own gained experience, but studying the experience of the colleagues of Ukraine and other countries has been given. This kind of training should foresee a convenient location and free time for doing assignments, the Internet or smartphone access. Another positive feature is an opportunity for students to work and at the same time to get university education. That is important for workers, involved in the sphere of choreography. One of the significant factors is the shortening of expenses for travelling, especially for the residents of other cities and towns. Moreover, it is of a great importance of getting the diploma of the capital city universities. It assists to train self-discipline, motivation, clear understanding and vision of your own professional future, defining aims, tasks and how to achieve them. On the other side, choreographic art foresees teamwork. The important aspect is not only performing solo mastering skills, but systematic work with a partner, which trains clearness and synchronous performing. The tactile contact between a lecturer and a student, when a teacher can personally show a musculoskeletal system to the student, is the right approach in order to avoid injuries and traumas. There must be specially equipped rooms, but, unfortunately, most of the students do not have any. Moreover, there is a lack of motivation, self-discipline, and a lack of system as for gained knowledge.It is defined that distant learning is an effective form of education, but only in a mixed form, alongside with traditional education in order to get additional knowledge and skills. Keywords: distant learning, higher education institution, pedagogical process, education, student, choreographer, motivation, performing skills.

Online Courses As a Form of Professional Development: Russian Local University Teachers' Experiences

Modern education is a phenomenon that combines offline education (traditional, classroom education) and online education (innovative, distance education), and in recent years its second form has become widespread that it is perceived as a direct threat to the existence of the first one. In a social, scientific and teachers’ field an ambiguous attitude towards online education phenomenon has developed, educational researchers study both positive characteristics of distant education (massiveness, accessibility, various areas, an opportunity to study at any time in any place) and circumstances suggesting some vigilance towards this form of education (not suitable for developing practical skills, there is no precise contact, a low number of students finish courses). Online education is a popular form of modern distance education, implemented through massive open and massive closed educational courses, that is, online courses of specific universities which are placed on world and domestic educational platforms. If, regarding the training of young people (students) through online technologies, the debate about the appropriateness and effectiveness of this form does not subside, then for teachers and university leadership (especially a provincial), online courses are almost a panacea for solving the problem of advanced training. In this research online courses are studied as a form of a university teacher’s professional development. Informal interviews with professors’ Khakas State University named after N.F. Katanov, who had an online course experience, were conducted. The study has revealed the reasons teachers’ satisfaction of this form of this education form and some aspects of their positive and negative experience, etc. Keywords: distant education, online learning, online courses, massive open online courses, mass closed online courses