Професійна підготовка майбутніх фахівців у контексті сучасних освітніх викликів: актуальні проблеми, шляхи вирішення

Abstract

The paper reviews the main issues of future specialists’ vocational training at higher education institutions in the context of contemporary educational processes in Ukraine. It singles out the discrepancy between the educational process at higher school and its practical orientation, the specifics of future student professional activity, and the society, market requirements to the prospective specialist competence. The article also outlines the qualities of dual education as a significant condition for overcoming these problems; outlines the possibilities and precise ways of introducing elements of dual education into the vocational training of specialists at a higher education institution, which combines academic education, practical activity in a workplace, and the conditions resembling professional environment. The authors consider the main principles of the person centered approach to the introduction of innovations in the educational process, according to which each student is an active doer of educational activity, acknowledges and regulates the process of personal cognition, independently constructs knowledge, and acquires experience. The article analyses the trends of organizing the educational process in the context of the future vocational activity of students. It also emphasizes the need for establishing a link among the content of educational classes, methods of training and practical activity in the workplace according to the purpose and nature of specific courses. The authors also propose to apply and develop vocation oriented, meaningful terms in training future specialists, and involve them in solving the actual problems that are relevant for their professional activity. The paper singles out the professional and pedagogical skills of a teacher that are necessary for creating a productive environment favorable to the effective organization of the profession and practice oriented educational process. The very first thing a teacher has to do is to organize teaching and learning as a dialogue with students, in which all the participants are equal partners who are authentic, sincere, open and trust each other. Key words: vocational education, vocational training, educational process, dual education, person centered concept, professional and pedagogical skills.