Educational Software Package Research Articles

Virtual Reality in Education and the Co-construction of Immediacy

AbstractVirtual reality (VR) in educational settings is often promoted by commercial actors as a way to experience environments outside the classroom and a soon-to-be part of everyday teaching and learning. This study follows the development of an educational software package in a Swedish municipality that combines VR technology with 360° live footage from museums and science centers to enable students to visit these spaces from the classroom via their headsets. By focusing on the workarounds and configurations intuitively performed by teachers, students, museum staff, and technicians in this pilot project, different kinds of articulation work performed to make the technology fit with local conditions are identified, from hands-on repair and maintenance to the facilitation of interaction and presence. The collective effort put into making the technology disappear and create a feeling of unmediated experience or immediacy shows how global imaginaries about VR as an immersive technology are enacted by the participants, at the same time as the work put into the project made them challenge the idea of VR as a new everyday technology. This tension between the desire for immediacy and the hands-on work in the physical environment that goes into fulfilling these imaginaries points to the need for local production of educational technologies that recognizes their co-constructive, embodied, and situated nature.

ЗАБЕЗПЕЧЕННЯ НЕОБХІДНИМИ РЕСУРСАМИ ЗДОБУВАЧІВ ВИЩОЇ ОСВІТИ ПІД ЧАС ВИВЧЕННЯ НАВЧАЛЬНОЇ ДИСЦИПЛІНИ «ПСИХОЛОГІЯ» В УМОВАХ ВОЄННОГО СТАНУ

The article examines the use of educational approaches, digital technologies, software products and sources of information support for the study of the educational discipline “Psychology” in modern conditions. The purpose of the article is to review the resources for ensuring the study of the educational discipline “Psychology” and to systematize approaches that contribute to the organization of the development of individual educational trajectory of higher education students. Methodology of the article. The use of distance learning tools that ensure the development of communicative, analytical, leadership and other competencies of higher education seekers is considered. Approaches that contribute to the formation of the individual educational trajectory of a higher education students are disclosed. It has been established that practical, individual creative tasks, methodical and didactic materials, as well as where they are placed and how current and final knowledge and skills testing is organized, influence the effectiveness of the educational process in remote mode. Ways to liquidate current debt (crediting the results of non-formal education, participating in extracurricular activities, etc.) are demonstrated. Achieving program learning outcomes during the study of the academic discipline “Psychology” is presented through the introduction of interactive methods and technologies, cases, videos, presentations, including the organization of independent work. The results. Resources presented affect the formation of the individual educational trajectory of higher education seekers through: providing them with opportunities to choose the topic of qualification and coursepaper according to individual interests; implementation of academic mobility; organization of independent work using modern educational approaches, digital technologies, software products and sources of information support; completion of pre-diploma practice in accordance with individual professional interests and requests of stakeholders; participation in scientific and practical conferences, round tables, forums, open lectures, webinars. It has been proven that the placement of methodical and didactic materials in Google Classroom or Google Drive with shared access, the organization of discussions in practical classes, which affects the development of analytical, communicative, and diagnostic competencies, is effective in the process of studying psychology. The practical significance of the obtained results is that it allows to use the necessary resources for the formation of the individual learning trajectory of higher education students during the study of the educational discipline “Psychology”, taking into account the problems caused by the martial law. Key words: distance learning tools, program learning outcomes, liquidation of current debt, knowledge and skill testing, independent work, stakeholders.

Silos to Synergy: Harnessing Integrated Learning for Improved Outcomes

Abstract— In recent days, integrated learning emerges as a potent pedagogical approach, intertwining diverse subjects to foster comprehensive education for millennial learners. Its benefits span across enhanced learning outcomes, improved critical thinking, creative problem solving, and engaged learning. The research study aims to create an effective integrated learning experience for the undergraduate students of information technology program. Around 65 students of fifth semester B.Tech IT program and three faculty members have participated in the research study. Project-Based Learning (PBL) has been adapted to creating meaningful cross-curricular experiences. The proposed PBL enables the learners to develop simulations for various cryptographic algorithms which were learnt in the course on Information security. The project also intertwines the concepts covered in other courses like Web Technologies, Software Testing and System Thinking. The PBL has been carefully designed with focus on problem statements, learning goals, project milestones, calendar and rubrics for assessment. Simulations developed by the learners in teams are integrated to create a complete software package which could serve as a virtual lab for cryptography and information security course. The experimental study on integrated learning has resulted in a usable educational software product for teaching cryptographic algorithms. Also, there is a significant enhancement in the attainment of course outcomes and satisfaction index of the learners. The positive outcome in learning achievements and student engagement affirm integrated learning's value. Various plans to address the implementation challenges in integrated learning are also discussed in the research article. The authors believe that the manuscript will serve as a beginner’s guide to academicians wishing to practice integrated learning in their classrooms. Keywords—Integrated Learning, Project Based Learning, Rubrics, Comprehensive Learning, Learning Outcomes, Product building skills.

Efficiency of the use of the pedagogical system of training in intellectual systems in the learning in higher educational institutions

The article deals with the creation of intelligent systems and the relationship between the human mind and the computer. The authors highlight the importance of artificial intelligence today. The relationship of the information society with the education sector, which is of great importance today, shows that the process of “technologization” is gaining strength owing to development. Thus, it is important to improve teaching methods, use new methods based on special pedagogical research in theory and practice, and create optimal conditions for practical work, special educational materials, software and technological products aimed at realizing the potential of information and communication technologies. The authors describe the importance of using special computer programs in the development of students’ knowledge and skills. In addition to traditional teaching in the education system, teaching with the use of special computer programs allows a deeper study of the specifics of each subject. However, most of these educational programs provide an opportunity to make choices based on their knowledge in this area. The authors also analyze expert systems based on teaching in this area in higher education and the topics of special courses introduced into it. In the conclusion on the chosen topic in the disciplines taught in the specialties of the university, the authors indicate the volume of the topic, which will be continued in the future.

APPLICATION OF IGS GEOGEBRA IN THE STUDY OF HIGHER MATHEMATICS BY STUDENTS OF TECHNICAL INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION

Introduction. Recently, the use of various packages of computer mathematics systems to improve the efficiency of the educational process has become relevant, especially during distance learning. One of the most promising areas in the technology of higher mathematics is the introduction and development of interactive geometric environments, and, as a consequence, to identify effective ways to use them in the educational process. The use of software is especially relevant in higher mathematics classes. The above software packages help to perform calculations in a short time, allow you to build graphs of functions and three-dimensional bodies and more. Purpose. Possibilities of application of the interactive geometric environment GeoGebra for the purpose of the organization of research activity of students of technical specialties during employment in higher mathematics are considered Methods. The article substantiates the relevance of using the cognitive-visual approach in the process of teaching students of technical specialties of higher mathematics in institution of higher education, considers the essence of this approach, as well as its implementation in teaching higher mathematics using educational software products using interactive geometric environment GeoGebra Results. Possibilities of separate software products of professional and educational purpose are considered, advantages of the interactive geometrical environment GeoGebra are listed, the example of its use in the course of training of higher mathematics of students of technical institution of higher education is given, namely: possibilities of application for the purpose of organization of research activity of students. in particular, remote, and the use of second-order image curves, which allows the visualization of geometric objects under study. Also, the stages of the process of preparation for the application of the interactive geometric environment GeoGebra were identified. Originality. For the first time with students majoring in 151 Automation and Computer-Integrated Technologies, we used distance learning to study one of the problems of solving problems using the interactive geometric environment GeoGebra. Conclusion. Solving our geometric problems, performed using the interactive geometric environment GeoGebra, allows students to see not only the visual construction of geometric objects, but also to form elements of the algorithm for solving practical problems in analytical geometry and lay the foundation for calculation the length of the arc, the area of the figure, the volumes of bodies in parallel section and the body of rotation, the surface area of the body of rotation, which is discussed in the next section "Application of the definite integral". The dynamic capabilities of GeoGebra to study the change in the shape of the projections of the spatial curve when changing the parameters in the equations of surfaces. The use of GeoGebra to solve problems in the course of higher mathematics in technical free economic education increases the motivation and interest of students, creates conditions for the formation of research skills, prepares students for the effective use of ICT in their future careers.

Towards Effective Patient Simulators.

In this paper we give an overview of the field of patient simulators and provide qualitative and quantitative comparison of different modeling and simulation approaches. Simulators can be used to train human caregivers but also to develop and optimize algorithms for clinical decision support applications and test and validate interventions. In this paper we introduce three novel patient simulators with different levels of representational accuracy: HeartPole, a simplistic transparent rule-based system, GraphSim, a graph-based model trained on intensive care data, and Auto-ALS—an adjusted version of an educational software package used for training junior healthcare professionals. We provide a qualitative and quantitative comparison of the previously existing as well as proposed simulators.

УДОСКОНАЛЕННЯ МЕТОДІВ І ЗАСОБІВ НАВЧАННЯ СУЧАСНИХ ФАХІВЦІВ З ОБЛІКУ І ОПОДАТКУВАННЯ

The purpose of the article is to substantiate the introduction of effective methods and means of training modern specialists in accounting and taxation in the process of teaching accounting disciplines in higher educational institutions. The paper analyzes the process of training modern accountants who are able to solve complex problems and perform applied tasks in the field of accounting, analysis, audit, control and taxation. It is proved that for the formation of an educated and literate personality of the analyst-accountant it is necessary to take into account the possibilities of modern information technologies, methods and means of teaching in the learning process. Through the introduction of the latest technologies and teaching methods, higher education has the opportunity to prepare graduates with appropriate qualifications who can quickly adapt to changes in the information environment. The issues of improving the quality of domestic education, bringing it closer to the needs of society and the labor market are considered. It is noted that successful integration into the European educational space is impossible without the development of advanced methods, techniques and teaching aids in higher education. Also, on the level of mastery of modern teaching methods depends on the humanistic orientation of the teacher, his professional competence, pedagogical abilities, pedagogical techniques, which are elements of pedagogical skills and determine the effectiveness of the educational process as a whole. The article analyzes various forms, methods and means of education in educational institutions. It is noted that in general there is a shortage of methodological developments, theoretical and methodological developments related to the organization of modern teaching of accounting disciplines in terms of digitalization of the economy – the driving force of information and communication technologies in everyday life, enterprises and society. As a result of the research, it was concluded that teaching methods should be based on practical classes and software for accounting and analytical processes, encouraging students to study the discipline. The process of studying at the university in accounting specialties should be based on the practical application of all acquired knowledge in the field of organization and maintenance of accounting using automated accounting programs. As a result, it is proposed to introduce into the educational process software products of the line 1C and BAS.

Criteria for acceptable studies of animal personality and behavioural syndromes

Criteria for acceptable studies of animal personality and behavioural syndromes

Анализ готовности вузов к внедрению цифровых образовательных технологий и продуктов

At the present stage of the information technologies development, the most important aspect of the eff ectiveness of higher education in Russia is the readiness of the higher education system in general and teachers of higher educational institutions in particular to work with digital technologies. The results of the monitoring presented in this article allow to evaluate important indicators such as the level of digital literacy of teachers, the presence of the necessary ICT competencies of teachers, and the level of development of the digital educational environment of Russian universities, including the degree of universities’ digital equipment, the use of educational software products and educational online services, the degree of development of eeducation. This study allows us to draw a number of signifi cant conclusions necessary for the development of the higher education system in Russia and the development of the necessary methodological tools for conducting a comprehensive assessment of the universities’ readiness to introduce digital educational technologies and products.

Development prospects of introduction of innovative technologies 3d-printing in Kazakhstan

The article describes material about the main prospects that require research for the implementation and operation of new additive technology in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The main problems of introducing new technologies are considered. New technologies, in the broad sense of their presence, or absence, determine the strategic position of the national economy in the world. The availability of technologies provides scientists or designers with powerful tools for the implementation of new ideas. The lack of technology limits the creativity of scientists and engineers, forcing them to apply outdated technical solutions that are in their possession, rather than those that enable them to achieve the new goals. Therefore, technology itself is a major part of innovation. The market situation is changing and only interested consumers remain. Market trends for the next decade are discussed. Furthermore, the article also discusses the advantages of introducing CAD systems into the educational process and software products of the COMPASS family.The Republic ofKazakhstan needs competent specialists who can apply the most modern technologies. As 3D printing technology advances and more people are exposed to it, they realize it can be applied to many different problems in many different fields; thus the opportunity for innovation is tremendous.

A fuzzy AHP-VIKOR approach for evaluation of educational use simulation software packages

A fuzzy AHP-VIKOR approach for evaluation of educational use simulation software packages

A new educational software package for photovoltaic system feasibility: PVGUI

With the increase in the market share of renewable energy sources, the feasibility analysis of the renewable energy-based power systems has also gained importance. In this study, a MATLAB-based interface for the feasibility analysis of photovoltaic systems is proposed in order to be used in educational purposes. The interface has been presented to the students of Yildiz Technical University as an educational material, and positive feedback has been received from the majority of the students.

IT and Computer Technologies for Education of Senior Citizens and Improving the Quality of Their Life

At present, IT have become an indispensable condition for the quality of education, but they are rarely applied in education of senior citizens and their range is quite narrow. An exception is the methods of teaching computer literacy to older adults, which is much narrower than IT in education. Meanwhile, they are no less essential both for adaptation of the elderly to the contemporary conditions of life and for the young generations. The authors prove that application of these technologies can change the quality of life for older adults and enables them to extend their professional activity, to broaden their scope of communication, and to raise their level of social adaptation to the environment and daily life. It has been found during the research conducted that the use of IT in education of senior citizens has some essential features and requires special conditions of application. In the research, questionnaire survey and testing, in-depth interview, expert survey, and participant observation methods were used that allowed studying the senior citizens’ demands for educational services, computer literacy improvement, as well as barriers and risks in their getting the education, conditions for enhancing its efficiency. During the research, disadvantages in development of IT and software products targeted for education of the aged have been found. The results obtained allow contributing to the development of concepts of thriving old age, active longevity, and higher social and professional engagement of older adults. They are of great importance both for the very senior citizens and for education providers, as well as for developers of educational software products needed by older adults and their teachers.

Electronic Educational Environment Moodle in English Language Training

The article deals with the causes, methods and functions of using E-learning in the process of training students English, as well as changing teacher’s and learner’s roles in the educational process. The introduction of information and communication technologies in educational and research processes is a compulsory requirement to implement the concept of modernization in Russian education. Recently, interest in English as a means of international communication has increased significantly, it has already been recognized as the language of professional communication in various fields of activity. The relevance of this work is undoubted. Modern higher school teachers are constantly looking for more effective approaches in training English and in the process of creating an electronic educational environment that would allow students access to various sources of information and help satisfy the interests of the modern student. The goal of the research is to increase the efficiency of training English in the system of higher professional education through the development and use of educational software products that apply modern information technology. Methods to achieve this goal include the method of using computer technology, methods of network planning and project management. The research showed that the organization of the information-instrumental educational environment uses a student centered approach, the development of an electronic educational and methodological complex (EEMC) is a search for an algorithm, most adapted to the student's cognitive needs, and EEMC in English creates the best conditions for the principle of interactivity. The practical significance of the study is determined by the fact that its materials related to the method of creating multimedia tasks and virtual environments can be used in the practical work of universities, as well as in the system of further training for specialists.

Electronic Educational Environment Moodle in English Language Training

The article deals with the causes, methods and functions of using E-learning in the process of training students English, as well as changing teacher’s and learner’s roles in the educational process. The introduction of information and communication technologies in educational and research processes is a compulsory requirement to implement the concept of modernization in Russian education. Recently, interest in English as a means of international communication has increased significantly, it has already been recognized as the language of professional communication in various fields of activity. The relevance of this work is undoubted. Modern higher school teachers are constantly looking for more effective approaches in training English and in the process of creating an electronic educational environment that would allow students access to various sources of information and help satisfy the interests of the modern student. The goal of the research is to increase the efficiency of training English in the system of higher professional education through the development and use of educational software products that apply modern information technology. Methods to achieve this goal include the method of using computer technology, methods of network planning and project management. The research showed that the organization of the information-instrumental educational environment uses a student centered approach, the development of an electronic educational and methodological complex (EEMC) is a search for an algorithm, most adapted to the student's cognitive needs, and EEMC in English creates the best conditions for the principle of interactivity. The practical significance of the study is determined by the fact that its materials related to the method of creating multimedia tasks and virtual environments can be used in the practical work of universities, as well as in the system of further training for specialists.

Design, Implementation and Students’ Emotional Assessment of a Software for the Learning of Rational Numbers through Music Metaphors in Chilean Primary Education: An Exploratory Study on Audio Fractions

Using sound and music as a metaphor to approach curricular mathematical contents in Primary Education seems an interesting field that deserves some research. Both music and sound can synergically act as scaffolding for learning, intervening as part of situated knowledge, and they could offer a new perspective for learning mathematics at schools, giving pupils opportunities to develop their own mental representations. Also, the incorporation of an affective/emotional analysis, as criteria for evaluation, seems pertinent and complementary to other criteria in the production of multimedia material with educational purposes both in formal and non-formal domains of education. These are the intentions of the present work, which shows the design, implementation and assessment of AudioFractions, as part of an educational software package called Sound Interactive Music-Mathematics, which was conceived to aid mathematical learning through sound and music in Chilean Primary Education. The investigation was carried out in a three-stage design: 1) generate significant metaphors; 2) implement and test functional software prototypes and didactic guidelines; and 3) assess the software. Pupils in risk of social exclusion at three priority public schools in Santiago de Chile (N=137; 9-11 years old) were subjected to AudioFractions in one 60-minute session. Then, students filled a questionnaire validated by experts with their perceptions about the software and their emotions. Results of the four assessment variables (global, technical, mathematical, musical) plus an affective-emotional assessment, show an excellent reception of AudioFractions

ВИКОРИСТАННЯ ЕЛЕКТРОННИХ НАВЧАЛЬНО-МЕТОДИЧНИХ КОМПЛЕКСІВ ДЛЯ ВДОСКОНАЛЕННЯ ПІДГОТОВКИ МАЙБУТНІХ БАКАЛАВРІВ ФІЛОЛОГІЇ

The article describes the use of electronic educational and methodological software packages (EEMSP) for improving the preparation of the cadets of Bogdan Khmelnytskyi National Academy of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, specializing in "Philology" (humanities branch) for the first (Bachelor’s) level of higher education for final examinations. The content, tasks and peculiarities of using EEMSPs on such subjects as "General tactics", "History of wars, conflicts and protection of state borders", "Tactics of border guarding", "Border control, "Political and economic systems", "Radiation, chemical, biological protection of units", "Foreign language for special purposes"," Information technologies in translation", "Military translation"," Theory and practice of special translation" have been characterized in detail. Particular attention is paid to the structure and development of electronic teaching and methodological support for such complex disciplines as "Operational-service application and management of the actions of state border guard units" (OSAMASBGU) and "Major foreign language" for final evaluation of the cadets of the foreign languages and humanities faculty, which allowed to provide systematic presentation of educational material, effective use of knowledge bases, possibility of making fast information search, conscious involvement of students in self-education. Dynamic analysis of the results of graduation examinations of future border guard officers has shown that due to the use of the EEMSPs on the above-mentioned disciplines in the educational process of the border institution of higher learning, both the quality of knowledge and average score of students increased significantly. Thus, the quality of knowledge of future border guard officers taking state examination on "OSAMASBGU" has increased by 12.25%, and on "Major foreign language" - by 15.13% for the period of four years, respectively. The average score also became higher: according to the results of the examination on "OSAMASBGU" - by 0.23 for the cadets who used EEMSPs during preparation for the final examinations, and for the subject of "Major foreign language" - by 0.18, respectively.

PowSysGUI: A new educational software package for power system stability studies using MATLAB/Simulink

Graphical user interfaces have been progressively used in the classrooms to provide users of computer simulations with a friendly and visual approach to specify all input parameters with enhanced configuration flexibility. In this paper, an educational software package called PowSysGUI (Power System GUI), which runs on MATLAB and uses graphical user interfaces, has been developed for analysis and simulation of small to large size electric power systems. PowSysGUI is open-source software and anyone can see the inner structure of the program to figure out how to code a power engineering problem. It is designed as a simulation tool for researchers and educators, as it is simple to use and modify. PowSysGUI has algorithms for solving power flow, small signal stability analysis, and time-domain simulation. In the case studies, IEEE 16-machine 68-bus test system is given to show the features of the developed software tool. Moreover, classroom experience has shown that the developed software package helps in consolidating a better understanding of power system stability phenomena.

TOOLS FOR INQUIRY-BASED LEARNING IN PRIMARY SCHOOL

Information technology and information literacy are becoming increasingly important in today's knowledge society. Many studies have shown that students from elementary school to graduate school do not have enough information literacy and skills in IT, therefore, there is a need for effective pedagogical approach that will develop these skills. One of the important step in this direction is the possibility of combining a collaborative teaching approach with inquiry-based learning to develop information literacy of elementary school students and IT skills. Based on existing theoretical framework, we believe that modern teaching technology should be used in early childhood. Children of primary school age explore and learn about the environment by using queries, and computer technologies offer available way to extend the domain and range of this request. A great number of interactive games and educational software packages have been implemented over the last decade for primary schools. However, a large number of software packages are not focused on inquiry-based learning. Examples of existing and hypothetical apps to research in early childhood presented in this article. Problems and future research directions are also identified and discussed. DOI: https://doi.org/10.28925/2414-0325.2017.3.4354

FlashPhotol: Using a Flash Photolysis Apparatus Simulator To Introduce Students to the Kinetics of Transient Species and Fast Reactions

FlashPhotol is an educational software package that introduces students to the kinetics of transient species and fast reactions. This is achieved by means of a computer-simulated flash photolysis apparatus that comprises all major functional elements and that students can use to perform various experiments. The experimental interface presents a visual representation of the monitoring light beam transmission through the sample cell as well as the corresponding transient concentration after excitation thereby enabling students to fully appreciate the fundamental processes on which the technique relies. Experiments in the package also reinforce students’ understanding of the Beer–Lambert law and illustrate how an absorbance value is produced from internal signals within an instrument. The software includes: (i) a fully contained tutorial on the technique of flash photolysis; and (ii) a procedure for each of the experiments that can be performed using the simulator along with an example results analysis in each case. It is anticipated that instructors may wish to use the simulator for lecture demonstrations, especially in demonstrating the transient process occurring in the sample cell following flash irradiation.