DISTANCE LEARNING TECHNOLOGIES WITH MENTALLY DISABLED PEOPLE

Abstract

The article presents both results of research and practical socio-pedagogical work, carried out jointly by the staff of Laboratory of Social Projects of Belgorod State University, Borisovsky Psychoneurological Boarding School and Non-governmental Organization of Social Initiatives "Vera". The project was being implemented from March until November 2018 in the Western region of Russia (Belgorod region). There were used methods of collecting primary sociological data such as (1) interviews with experts from the staff of the psychoneurological boarding school; (2) monitoring educational and social activities of people with mental health problems living in a psychoneurological boarding school. Training of people with mental health problems is an urgent social problem nowadays. This is the most vulnerable group of people of the educational process, studying in the classrooms. The results of research work demonstrates that there is a number of psychological and pedagogical problems in full-time training of people with mental health disorders. Among them are: (1) vivid emotional feedback in response to the actions of a teacher and other students due to the specifics of their diseases, decreasing of motivation for learning and inadequate level of self-esteem; (2) contravention in behavior caused by external conditions of the educational process and the surrounding environment. Distance education enable this category of people to avert above-mentioned problems. Under appropriate conditions, a person with mental health disorders is able to get a professional education and provide themselves financially, being a useful member of a society. As a result of scientific research and practical activities, there were established the most effective methods of distance learning for people with mental health disorders. They are as follows: (1) information and receptive method, involving the transmitting of information by means of various electronic didactic training tools, including different training facilities (textbooks, audio, video files); (2) reproductive method based on an algorithmic nature of the students' activities. This method assumes the implementation of various exercises and tasks in accordance with recommendations, the purpose of which is formation of practical skills and abilities; (3) method of cognitive visualization of cases from practical professional activities. The method assumes a positive color, sound and emotional background, since visibility in learning has not only illustrative, but also cognitive function; (4) research method, which demonstrates both independence of students and creative practical application of knowledge in unusual situations.