Massive Open Online Courses for Pedagogical Staff Training
Introduction. At the present time much attention of the society is fixed more and more to the problem of qualification improvement of pedagogical staff on account of total informatization of society, cardinal technological changes, becoming stronger interrelation of education, science and production, and active introduction in practice of professional standards. The existing system of professional development of pedagogical staff stands in need of reorganization and modernization. The search of the formats corresponding to modern realities, models and technologies of continuous training and retraining of education experts is becoming urgent today. The aim of the article is to show the possibilities of innovative forms of distance learning, realized in the form of a massive open online course (MOOC), for the training and continuous training of pedagogical staff. Methodology and research methods. The methods involve system-based analysis, synthesis, and generalization. Results and scientific novelty. The concept «mass open online course» (MOOC) is clarified. MOOC is considered as a form of electronic distance training carried out on the basis of educational multimedia content, and wherein a large number of participants are involved online. The advantages of MOOC in the organization of hybrid forms of distance learning are shown: these online courses enable to combine planned online interactions of students with lecturers and tutors; mass discussions on topical professional subjects; offline study of records of training materials, and independent participants' online coursework. The model of professional development of pedagogical staff on the basis of MOOC and realization of the principles of open education is presented: open platform, open schedule, open training, and open certification. The main approaches to the formation of new educational environment based on MOOC are designated as an innovative platform of preparation and professional development of pedagogical staff. The experience of Togliatti State University of MOOC approbation is briefly summarized. Practical significance. The authors consider MOOC as a future-oriented form of e-learning in network professional communities. The proposed innovative model of professional development of pedagogical staff allows to quickly realize the progressive pedagogical ideas, and to apply the tutorials created on the basis of modern information and communication tools. This model can be used by managers of inter-industry institutes of professional development and professional retraining of personnel.