ONLINE LEARNING EXPERIENCE IN THE FORMAT OF DISTANT LEARNING IN AUES
Due to the pandemic and the introduction of the quarantine regime, Kazakhstani universities had to urgently switch to the distance learning platform. For our educational community, the inevitability and compulsory transition to distance learning platforms was obvious. The pandemic emergency was only a prerequisite and accelerated the transition to a new training format.
Domestic universities introduced distance learning into the educational process step by step - “step by step”. Training courses, seminars, conferences, master classes, trainings, etc. were held for teaching staff. Theoretically, the concepts of “information technology”, “distance education”, “online - off-line education”, etc. are not new words for us teachers, neologisms, and under quarantine they have become not only an integral part of professional vocabulary, but also the practical basis of formats learning.
On the whole, the main directions of the educational process have not undergone any significant changes, but it was necessary to drastically change the usual off-line learning mode that was common for all of us and to switch to working online.
In our university AUPET names after Gumarbek Daukeev, the distance learning support software platform is implemented based on the Platonus automated information system. The Platonus system contains the information necessary for teachers and students, an educational-methodical complex of course disciplines. The materials loaded into the electronic system are used in the educational process for students to complete practical tasks, independent work of the student with the teacher, independent work of the student, tests of current, midterm and final control.
In quarantine mode, as the main learning platform for conducting online classes in a remote format, our university for faculty proposed the Zoom platform. The Zoom program is a professional cross-platform video conferencing service with the ability to exchange messages. This application stands out for its ease of use as a program designed for video conferencing in online format. Using the Zoom program, you can conduct free video conferences. It provides high-quality video communications and supports simultaneous connection of up to 100 people. The computer application is focused on holding conferences on the network or simply demonstrating a PC screen. You can download Zoom to your computer and mobile phones.
The Zoom platform was used in the learning process for distance learning and business meetings. Along with the Zoom program, we used standard online-offline services: WhatsApp - chat, forum, survey, e-mail.
The topic of online learning in the format of distance technologies is today relevant and most discussed. What is distance education and is it suitable for us? To get an answer to this question, the materials of My Education sources, MyOwnConference Webinar Blog Service, TheProgs.ru, were studied. https://theprogs.ru/zoom/ (Russia), “The main issues of using distance learning are discussed by specialists in the field of education and information technology” (Nur-Sultan, April 15 - Sputnik. https://ru.sputniknews.kz/education /) and etc.
The analysis of the materials studied and our experience of distance learning have shown not only the advantages, the advantages of online learning for the organizer-teacher, but also the disadvantages and disadvantages of this format.
Distance learning has a number of undeniable advantages. The main positive criteria of this platform include the effectiveness of using convenient services for conducting online classes based on various tools that provide the necessary information: image from a web camera, built-in chat, interactive whiteboards, demonstration of video materials and user actions from a monitor screen, etc.; the possibility of reviewing classes, monitoring results and evaluating completed tasks; professional conducting classes at home and the creation of each teacher's own online course for distance learning; the ability to connect to classes from any smartphone thanks to mobile applications; conducting webinars and online seminars with an unlimited number of invited participants at the same time; the use of innovative technologies in the learning process.
There are certain difficulties of online learning for the organizer: each speaker teacher must be mobile and technically savvy for professional knowledge of the e-learning platform, as well as be able to use the methods and techniques of effective online seminars. If these requirements are not a problem for the young advanced level of teachers, then for the middle and older generation, to some extent, they can be psychologically uncomfortable.
The minus of online platforms can be called the fact that they cannot provide “live” practice, since it is difficult to remotely teach specialties involving a large number of practical classes. No modern technology can replace "live" communication. There is a problem of user identification, since through video surveillance it is not always possible to trace how conscientiously and independently a student performs tasks or tests. The technical drawback of distance learning is a partial software failure due to the heavy load on the Internet in the process of conducting online classes throughout the country at the same time.
Note the benefits of distance learning for students. Online training allows them to choose a convenient place to study, their own pace. Mobile communication with the teacher is supported via chat, mail, forum or audio-video communication on the distance learning platform. Learning materials are available remotely for students and the necessary literature on the university website. The student studies most of the educational material independently, which contributes to the effective mastery of the necessary knowledge by him. There is no psychological discomfort before meeting with the teacher: midterm and final control of students' knowledge is carried out in the form of online tests. The possibility of a subjective assessment is excluded: the test results do not affect the student's performance in other disciplines, his status and other factors. For online learning for students with disabilities, using a camera in communication with a teacher is not a requirement.
Cons online format for students exist. As part of distance learning, a student needs more time and diligence to work with materials when completing assignments. Almost all training material is mastered independently, where willpower, responsibility and self-control are necessary. Not everyone succeeds in maintaining the right pace of learning without external control. During classes, some students find it difficult to concentrate on tasks, there is a temptation to switch to social networks or be distracted by something else by closing the browser tab. The distance form of training does not contribute to the development of sociability: personal communication between students with each other and the teacher is limited or absent, the possibility of working in a group, team, etc. is excluded.
In order to prevent the spread of infection, the transition to the form of distance learning without testing in a short time was associated with certain difficulties, but under the circumstances, the necessary measure of online education was timely and correct.
The online learning platform based on distance technologies has loudly and ambiguously declared itself as a promising alternative to offline learning. The distance learning format, of course, has a wide range of capabilities and contributes to the effective mastery of students' study material in the framework of the program. As life has shown, the platform of distance technologies is an imperative, a requirement of time, which becomes an integral part of education, and the integration of online-offline interaction contributes to the interactive implementation of this format in the educational process.
Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department “Languages Studies” of AUPET named after Gumarbek Daukeev Darkembaeva R.D.
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