PROJECT TECHNOLOGIES AS AN EFFICIENT TOOL OF ECOLOGICAL CULTURE DEVELOPMENT OF STUDENTS

Abstract

The article deals with problem of the effectiveness of project activity in a higher educational institution (HEI). In particular, the pedagogical capabilities of ecological projects in solving the problems of modern environmental education have been analyzed. It has been found out that the implementation of project technologies is accompanied by an increase of each student’s role in teaching and professional self-determination. The following pedagogical conditions of using projects in shaping the students’ environmental culture are identified and characterized: orientation of the project’s objectives to environmental protection activities by involving students in solving essential local and regional problems; increasing the degree of student autonomy in the implementation of the purpose of the project activity; the use of interdisciplinary connections for solving specific environmental issues and problems; focusing of environmental projects on the future professional activities, systematic involvement of students into environmental projects throughout the period of study in higher education. It has been proved that environmental activities in the framework of the project activity is aimed at the formation and improvement of practical skills in the field of nature conservation, the development and manifestation of volitional qualities, as well as the ability to be active in solving local environmental problems. It has been discovered that independent activity forms the conscious mood for students to systematically accumulate ecological knowledge and is a necessary condition for the self-organization of the educational environmental activity of the individual, and in the future specialists with a high-level of ecological culture. It has been found out that the use of interdisciplinary links to solve specific environmental problems is a convincing example of integration processes in environmental science. It has been established that observance of these conditions contributes to the development of students’ engagement in environmental protection, the development of their theoretical background and practical research skills, as well as skills in solving environmental problems. These conditions contribute to the development of an active position in decision-making and ability to assume responsibility for the state of the environment. It is proved that the use of environmental projects in the educational process of higher education establishments creates conditions for the successful implementation of the tasks of environmental education and fostering the high-level ecological culture of the students.