Testing results of the digital app for teaching calligraphy to elementary school students

The subject of this research, which is dedicated to testing the digital app “Calligraphy.rus – Learning to Write Letters” for teaching calligraphy to elementary school students, is the quality, effectiveness and convenience of using this educational app in working with elementary school students. The object of this research is the assessments and opinions of elementary school teachers acquired in the course of testing of this app. Testing involved over 400 pedagogues from more than 30 Russian regions; it was conducted based on the method of situation modeling of using digital app in practice, as well as the survey technique. The scientific novelty lies in obtaining objective assessments on the practical effectiveness of modern digital educational resource in the format of digital app for teaching skills of calligraphic writing to elementary school students. The conclusion is made on the high functional capacity of the indicated digital resource based on the assessment given by the pedagogues on such parameters as convenience, design and characters, ease of understanding, task description and feedback. The pedagogues consider this digital app as a promising instrument to be implemented in the educational process and extracurricular activities.

Conceptual-methodological ground of inclusive education in the Russian Federation

The goal of this article lies in the analysis of theoretical conceptual-methodological grounds of inclusive education in the Russian Federation for the effective management and coordination of the work of educational institutions. For achieving the set goal, the author examines the general theoretical conceptual-methodological grounds of inclusive education; competence approach towards inclusive education in Russia; theory of implementation the inclusive form of education; basic elements of the concept of inclusive education; as well as methodology of inclusive education in the Russian Federation. The concept of inclusive education implies the mechanism for exercising human rights for people with health impairments. This mechanism is based on the interdepartmental cross-disciplinary formation of the barrier-free environment for any person to exercise their rights. The concept of inclusive education formulates social approach towards disability. The medical problem of disability shifts into the social sphere – a person with health impairments should not only receive treatment, but also live a normal life. Therefore, disability is viewed as a set of social barriers that stand in the way of realization of the abilities and needs of a person with physical or mental impairments. The goal is to eliminate such social barriers. The modern strategy of the Russian Federation in the area of education and social policy is aimed at bringing into compliance the institutional systemic conditions in order to turn inclusive education into the priority area of education.

Development of the fundamentals of educational activity among primary school students in the Russian language classes

This article provides an example of arranging functional educational activity in the Russian language classes within the framework of general primary education; describes the stage-by-stage structure of one of the object topics in the Russian language course, considering all components of educational activity from outlining the academic pursuit to monitoring and assessing performance; lists the techniques and examples of the tasks used in the development of control materials based on the formation of metadisciplinary competencies among primary school students; gives partial description to the monitoring and assessment toolset based on inclusion into the educational process. The article characterizes assessment as a means of ensuring the quality of modern education, which implies engagement of both pedagogues and students into assessing the performance. The system of the criterion-based comprehensive assessment, formation of the skills of reflection, introspection, self-control, self-and mutual assessment help the students to develop the effective techniques of managing their educational activity, promote self-awareness, readiness to openly express and defend their position, independent actions, responsibility for their results. The systematic, targeted formation of assessment skills allow the primary school students are to detect the difficulties they face, analyze their causes, plan and implement corrective measures to overcome them.

On the indicators of competence achievement for the group of specialties 51.00.00 “Cultural Studies and Socio-Cultural Projects”

The subject of this research is the competencies and indicators of competence achievement in the educational standards in the sphere of culture and art. The object of this research is the group of specialties 51.00.00 “Cultural Studies and Socio-Cultural Projects”, namely the federal state educational standard of higher education – Bachelor's Degree in the field 51.03.02 “Folk Art Culture”. The article reviews the competences and indicators of achieving competences in the specialty 51.03.02 “Folk Art culture”, the discipline “Management of Film, Photo, and Video Studio”. The main research method is the analysis of literature and normative legal documents, including state educational standards and basic educational curricula in the context of competency approach. The author applies the method of describing personal experience based on the practical work of the Faculty of Culture and Arts and the actual pedagogical practice of F. M. Dostoevsky Omsk State University.  The scientific novelty consists in the development of indicators of general professional competencies for the indicated group of specialties. Currently, there is no uniform understanding of the indicators of competence achievement; it is on the stage of scientific discussion. The relevance for understanding competencies and their indicators is substantiated by the fact that the new federal state educational standards of higher education do not regulate this aspect, leaving the developers certain freedom on this matter. The competencies and indicators of competencies are considered on the example of the experience of the Faculty of Culture and Arts and actual pedagogical practice of F. M. Dostoevsky Omsk State University.

Preprofessional orientation of teenagers by means of computer art

This article examines the system of designing classes aimed at immersion of teenagers in modern professions related to computer art. The relevance of this topic is substantiated by modern trends in socioeconomic development of our country. The development of creative abilities is a good foundation for acquiring new scientific and technical information; it accelerates the processing and generation of novel and useful ideas. The object of this research is preprofessional orientation of teenagers. The subject is the methodology of teaching graphic editors based on the specificity of its use in modern professions. The article employs the modeling, analysis, and generalization. The project laboratory of computer graphics and design at the premises of Lyceum in the town of Balashikha under the Bauman Moscow State Technical University, became the framework for this research. The conclusion is made that project work helps teenagers to acquire strong knowledge in the area of application of modern graphic editors, valuable practical skills and abilities, such as hard work, discipline, work culture, teamwork. In the course of this research, the author examined the possibility of application of modern instrumental and software tools for creating animated videos using the stop-motion technique, as well as developed the instruction on using technical means to achieve the set goals.

E-learning in vocational medical education in the area of information technologies

This article explores the problems of organizing distance teaching of information technologies to medical workers in the conditions of continuous postgraduate education. The research leans on the analysis of the existing collective experience in the sphere of teaching of information technologies to 277 medical workers in postgraduate education in the department of Medical Informatics and Physics of Mechnikov North-West State Medical University; assessment of learning efficiency based on the results of monitoring of academic performance (test assignments and benchmark tests); analysis of the anonymous survey results conducted among students, as well as online discussions. The author examines such aspects of the topic as the methodology and organization, peculiarities and challenges of e-learning, and the attitude of students towards it. The conclusions is made on the lack of communication between the pedagogue and the students; heightened motivation of students for achieving success in e-learning; technical support difficulties. As a result, the author notes the lower attainment level, namely as far as practical skills. It is established that approximately one third of the students is not ready for e-learning. At the same time, there article revels  the advantages of e-learning, such as ability to combine study and work, taking online courses at any convenient time in a comfortable environment and without transport expanses.

Learning digital skills: analytics of leading practices

The relevance of this research is substantiated by an interesting phenomenon that has occurred in the last decade: the technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution are based on digitalization of not only products and processes, but also people's behavior at work and outside it.  The author reviews digital skills as the “third basket”, which is equally as significant as the “baskets” of professional and “soft” skills. Therefore, analysis is conducted on the experience of facts and cases presented by dozens of Russian and international educational institutions for determining the leading practices of digital education. The author describes the key determinants of digital literacy. The following conclusions were made : 1) digital education is based on the principles that differ drastically from other tools, sets new goals, focusing on the approaches that blow up the traditional university methods; 2) IBM “Facing The Storm” research indicates that massive shortage of digital skills among personnel is a storm that is brewing on the horizon; 3) research of the BFR (Big Fast Results) institute reflects the mechanism of implementing educational and managerial processes within the paradigm of digital literacy; 4) the presented research covers a wide range of empirical data, which allows all parties to the educational process to form digital learning environment strongly contributing to development of the currently relevant “soft” skills.

Use of the video problem book in preparation of future teachers

The subject of this research is the development of professional competencies of future elementary school teachers in the process of using video problem book (based on the material of math classes). The article discusses different methods of using video materials in preparation of students. An overview of foreign research on the topic is provided. It is noted that currently the methods of using video content are not sufficiently covered in the literature. The questions of which video fragments are better to use, how to include them into the educational process, what particular tasks they pursue, etc. remain unanswered. The article describes the experience of using video problem book as technique of teaching math to students, as well as future elementary school teachers. The author analyzes the work with the video problem book, an essential element of which is the use of “stop motion” technique in a problematic spots of the lesson. The article also presents the results of comparative research of academic performance of the groups of students: an experimental group that used video problem book, and a control group that that did not use video problem book in the educational process. The author picked the following competencies: diagnostic competence of the teacher, ability to make pedagogical decisions, and reflexivity. The implementation of video problem book in the educational process develops in students and future elementary school teacher the skills to make deliberate decisions in different learning situations.

Prospects for the development of distance learning within the system of professional education

The object of this research is distance learning, while the subject is the organization of distance learning in professional educational institutions with a long-term view. The author emphasizes the relevance of this research in the real and hypothetical epidemic conditions. The current stage is viewed as a period of contemplation or reconsideration of distance learning. The article employs the methods of theoretical and empirical analysis. The results of sociological surveys conducted among the students, pedagogues, rectors and vice-rectors of the Russian universities are analyzed. The  author indicates the conservatism of the modern system of education, and the importance of interaction between the main actors of the educational process. The fundamental difficulties in organization of distance learning are outlined. The scientific novelty of consists in creation of the model of educational process based on the empirical data underlying the development of distance learning. It is demonstrated that the conduct scientific research, development of information technologies, and improvement of the normative framework open new opportunities for creating a more effective learning environment. The key moment in increasing the effectiveness of the new form of learning consists in reaching the full presence effect, which allows implementing the traditional pedagogical technologies. Description is given to the possibilities of telepresence technology. The conclusion is formulated that distance learning can be transformed into a new form in accordance with the status of technological and technical development.

Interactive methods in teaching psychology of professional education

This article explores the implementation of interactive methods in teaching psychology of professional education. The object of this research is the process of teaching the discipline “Psychology of Professional Education”, while the subject is the interactive methods of teaching this discipline. The article employs the method of theoretical analysis of scientific and methodological literature, methods of generalization, synthesis, comparison, and classification. The author discusses the essence of interactive teaching methods and their role within system of modern teaching techniques. Special attention It is emphasized that each class can be conducted using interactive teaching methods, selected by the pedagogue based on the desire to improve the effectiveness of educational process and develop professional competencies of students. The scientific novelty consists in determination of specificity of using interactive teaching methods within the framework of the discipline under review. It is established that heuristic conversation, psychological diagnostics, method of projects, role games, and problem-based learning are considered as most effective interactive teaching techniques. The acquired results can be applied in organizing educational process with regards to psychology of professional education and other disciplines of psychological and pedagogical orientation. The conclusion is made that in teaching psychological-pedagogical disciplines and future pedagogues, the students learn how to implement these methods in their future pedagogical activity.