IMPLEMENTATION OF CONNECTED LEARNING PRINCIPLES IN TEACHING A FOREIGN LANGUAGE AT AN ENGINEERING UNIVERSITY

Abstract

The article attempts to consider the topical issues of modern pedagogy: interactive forms and
methods of optimizing the process of teaching a foreign language for special purposes in the context of
higher engineering education, and peculiarities of distance and blended learning of a foreign language
through the use of advanced information and communication technologies.
Based on the analysis of the most recent research works in the field of innovations in teaching
foreign languages, it is concluded that one of the most important directions is the introduction of modern
information and communication technologies into the educational process, in particular technologies related
to mobile learning, providing optimization of the educational process, accessibility and efficiency of
learning, and students' integration into the information society. The author emphasizes that in the Englishlanguage methodological literature the designation of such a model of using electronic devices as "connected
learning" is widely spread; defines the basic principles of "connected learning"; provides key advantages
(intensification of independent activity, individualization of learning, increase of cognitive activity and
motivation of learning, acquisition of skills and abilities, the formation and development of which on the
basis of traditional teaching tools seems to be quite laborious) and disadvantages of active involvement of
smartphones in the educational process (excessive emphasis on the technological filling of the educational
process does not contribute to the development of logical and effective learning, reinforces students’
inclination to use conventional patterns in their thinking process, and even strengthens the habit of clip
perception of reality, which is typical for the generation that grew up in the period of wide availability of the
Internet and social networks).
The article concludes that the practical application of mobile applications has a huge potential in
improving the efficiency of the process of learning a foreign language for special purposes and can
significantly improve the process of foreign language training of engineering students, open its new sides
and turn it from a serious time-consuming process into an exciting activity, but it is necessary to carefully
calibrate and integrate new mobile technologies into the educational process, and teachers should be properly
prepared for the effective use of mobile technologies.