Blended learning in the context of digitalization

Abstract

The realities of digitalization require changes in strategies for choosing educational technologies. The modern educational process is not possible without the use of digital technologies. Digital technologies have led to the arising and development of blended learning. However, its effectiveness is determined not only by technology. The human factor receives special attention in this direction. Analysis of the World Development Report 2016: Digital Dividends allows us to identify digital competence as a necessary condition for the successful use of digital technologies, and hence blended learning. Learning interactions designing in the process of implementing blended learning requires timely diagnosis of the level of digital competence. A popular tool for this is the Digital Competence Framework for Citizens. To clarify the peculiarities of its use was made an analysis of the experimental implementation results of blended learning in the industrial training in sewing for intended masters. During the research, it was revealed that the most important digital competence areas for the variable learning establishment in the training of future professionals are Information and data literacy, Communication and collaboration and Problem solving. In addition, competence for area Problem solving conduce to increase the level of competence for all other areas. The level of digital competence of the subjects mainly coincide to the characteristics of basic and secondary levels. The obtained data clarified the reasons for the difficulties, decrease motivation and cognitive activity that occur among students using distance courses-resources learning designed for blended learning. Thus, the use of the Digital Competence Framework for Citizens at the initial stage of implementing blended learning can make a rational choice of strategies for combining face-to-face and distance learning technologies.