Digital tools in testing the level of formation of professionally oriented English competence of IT students

Abstract

Digital tools help to determine the IT studentsʼ achievements in mastering professionally oriented English language competence (in listening, speaking, reading, writing). The involvement of digital tools in the organization of assessment activities will increase the objectivity of the obtained results and optimize the evaluating process of prospective IT specialists in foreign language classes. Therefore, the purpose of the article is the analysis of digital tools for use in testing the level of proficiency in ESP of IT students at university level. A number of methods were used in the research: analysis of scientific literature, generalization and systematization of the experience of scientists. As a result of the study, the digital tools used for creating and placing test tasks were considered. A comprehensive approach to the selection of digital tools is involved. The criteria were outlined: the possibility of a digital tool to define the IT students’ level of professionally oriented communicative competence; availability of different types of tasks; the ability to check tests both automatically and with the participation of a teacher; instant feedback; differential ability; interactivity; practicality and economy. The features of Moodle, Google Forms, Google Docs, Zoom Conference, Teams, Meet were analyzed. Digital tools help to fill tests with relevant learning material (from YouTube, TED Talks, Podcasts), create tests according to certain parameters (with the help of Chat GPT, QuestionWell / AI for Teaching). Thus, digital tools allow teachers to fill tests with relevant educational material; assess the IT students’ level of proficiency in ESP; create and fill tests with appropriate educational material; generate test tasks; simplify the assessment procedure; differentiate test tasks. In order to effectively implement digital tools, it is necessary to use a comprehensive approach to organize testing in teaching and learning process.