Developing students’ skills into pedagogical improvisation using didactic games

Abstract

The aim of the study is to reveal ways in which to apply didactic games to the process of specialists’ mastering improvisation skills and problem-solving in professional pedagogical activity. Pedagogical improvisation encompasses the whole range of knowledge, abilities and skills the future teacher, may require to solve unplanned situations. However, the ability to make quick and expedient pedagogical decisions contributes to effective implementation, as this involves instantaneousness, extraordinary thinking and, most importantly, the effective final version. The research aim is formulated with the help of various scientific methods:1) theoretical – theoretical and critical analysis of philosophical, psychological, pedagogical and methodical literature, comparison, systematization, generalization of the obtained information;2) empirical – questionnaires, conversations, interviews, expert evaluation, independent evaluation, observation, pedagogical experiment;3) statistical – mathematical methods for processing experimental data. The educational effect of pedagogical improvisation is achieved due to such teaching methods as didactic games, which are primarily related to two particulars of studying: problematicity and acquisition of study material through action. In order to ensure the development of future specialists’ skills of pedagogical improvisation, a pilot study was conducted, involving second-year students of the Ukrainian Studies Department of Pirogov National Medical University and of the Foreign Languages Department of Pavlo Tychyna Uman State Pedagogical University. The number of students measuring a high level of development in pedagogical improvisation increased by 12.3 %, with the average level increasing by 19.7 %. Of particular note, the number of students with low levels decreased by 32.0 %, due to educational didactic games. It was proven that these games ensured the students’ high activity in educational activities and encouraged them to develop their skills and responsible attitude towards their collective responsibilities in solving pedagogical problems situations.