Smart Technology Integration in the System of Bachelors’ Language Training

Renata Elsakova,Daria Kochkina,Nadezhda Kuzmina

doi:10.3991/ijet.v14i15.10565

Renata Elsakova, Daria Kochkina + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v14i15.10565

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Abstract

This paper considers the problem of smart technology integration into the system of bachelors’ language training at higher school environment. The use of smart technology in education helps to enrich traditional teaching methods and bring positive learning outcome. However, the application of smart technologies is connected with challenges both educators and students can face. The aim of the article is to consider and assess the use of smart technologies implemented into a foreign language teaching process. For that purpose, we applied such methods as a needs analysis (among lecturers of English from South Ural State University), a questionnaire and an interview (among three groups of students from similar bachelor’s program). The findings show that the majority of those surveyed do understand the importance of smart technology for professional education, but they are not familiar with the types of smart technologies and how to use them. Based on the results of this analysis, the authors applied smart technologies in the process of English teaching, such as different language learning platforms (Ed-modo, TEDed), social networks (VKontakte, Facebook), and a new online language development course, “English for General Purposes” which was implemented through the Moodle (the university corporate learning management system). The analyzed results and the drawn conclusions indicate that the integration of smart technologies allows to boost foreign language skills and encourage motivation.

Highlights

The entry of the humankind into the digital era and the fourth industrial revolution have inevitably led to fundamental changes in all spheres of social, cultural and economic life, such as the advent of a “smart” society, the creation of “smart” enterprises, the introduction of the concept of Industrial Internet and the Internet of things.Transformations caused by the influence of Industry 4.0 have led to the replacement of “classical” education with smart education, traditional training – with smart training, traditional universities – with smart universities.iJET ‒ Vol 14, No 15, 2019To survive in the realities of a network society and increase competitiveness, leading Russian universities are restructuring their growth strategies in response to the challenges of the fourth industrial revolution
We asked students about the types of smart technologies they know which they can use for learning a foreign language
There has been specially designed a new online language development course, “English for General Purposes” which was implemented through the Moodle; we integrated some language learning platforms (Edmodo, TEDed) and popular social networks (VKontakte, Facebook)

Summary

Introduction

The entry of the humankind into the digital era and the fourth industrial revolution have inevitably led to fundamental changes in all spheres of social, cultural and economic life, such as the advent of a “smart” society, the creation of “smart” enterprises, the introduction of the concept of Industrial Internet and the Internet of things.Transformations caused by the influence of Industry 4.0 have led to the replacement of “classical” education with smart education, traditional training – with smart training, traditional universities – with smart universities.iJET ‒ Vol 14, No 15, 2019To survive in the realities of a network society and increase competitiveness, leading Russian universities are restructuring their growth strategies in response to the challenges of the fourth industrial revolution. Creating smart educational environment in the university supposes implementing the principles of flexibility in an interactive educational environment (digitalization of education), free access to the content around the world, personalization of teaching, project approach and creation of an integrative scientific and creative space. In these circumstances, it is necessary to use smart technologies that allow different categories of learners to acquire necessary skills autonomously in an interactive form, exchange content, get feedback, and develop educational products. SUSU organizes its own production of modern teaching aids, develops modern forms of distance learning – e-learning and b-learning, as well as mass distance courses in the MOOC format

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