Prospective philologists distance learning and teaching during COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The article is devoted to the question of organizing distance learning for future philologists through the Internet technologies. The author’s experience in conducting practical classes via the video conferencing platform Zoom and organizing the students’ individual work using the learning management system Canvas has been described. Recommendations on how to prepare for the practical classes have been given; the main advantages of the video conferencing platform Zoom have been enumerated; the examples of the tasks performed by students during synchronous learning have been given. The choice of the learning management system Canvas has been preconditioned by the author’s positive experience in organizing the process of teaching ESP monologue production to future mechanical engineers. Features specific to Canvas (shared access, calendar of the events, discussions and announcements section, accumulation of the performed tasks, etc.) have been looked into; the advantages of using Canvas (flexibility, compatibility with numerous mobile devices and various operating systems, use of the system regardless location and time zone, 24/7 availability, facilitating the student’s choice of the individual educational trajectory etc.) have been considered. The examples of the tasks posted by the teacher have been given. The assessment of the students’ work was carried out according to the existing rating system regarding the peculiarities of distance learning. Thus, the students’ work during the practical classes using the video conferencing platform Zoom and their out-of-class individual work using Canvas has been assessed. A survey among the participants of the educational process has been conducted. The results of the survey have revealed a positive attitude to the organization of distance learning with the use of the video conferencing platform Zoom and the learning management system Canvas.