Possibilities and prospects for the professional development of university teachers in the conditions of digitalization

Abstract

Relevance. The relevance of the study is due to insufficient study of the issue of implementation of measures to develop the professional competences of university teachers, taking into account available digital technologies and gadgets in the Republic of Kazakhstan.Purpose. This article is aimed at identifying the most promising teacher training programs, taking into account the mass digitization of the educational environment, which can practically lead to an increase in the efficiency of higher education in Kazakhstan and, as a result, contribute to the economic development of the state.Methodology. The leading approach to the study of this problem is the method of a natural experiment, with the help of which it was possible to assess the effectiveness of classical and innovative methods of professional development of university teachers. In addition to the natural experiment method, the article used system analysis, logical analysis, synthesis, deduction, classification, comparative analysis, observation and interviewing of respondents.Results. The article presents the results of a cross-sectional study: the digital literacy skills necessary for a university teacher are described, which allow for the safe and productive use of digital technologies and gadgets, the five spheres of a university teacher's activity are presented, which are constituent elements of a teacher's professional activity, formal and informal ones are disclosed educational events aimed at the development of professional competences, two educational programs were developed and implemented; a comparative analysis of the results of the survey of respondents and their assessment of the effectiveness of the completed programs was carried out, the parameters for evaluating the prospects of the teacher's professional development in the conditions of digitalization were proposed.Conclusions. The materials of the article represent practical value, as in practice they demonstrate the effectiveness of digital technologies used for the professional development of university teachers.