FOREIGN EXPERIENCE OF TRAINING PEDAGOGS BY MEANS OF DISTANCE EDUCATION

This article is devoted to the topical scientific problem of training Masters of Education students by means of distance education in British universities. Modern tendencies of training pedagogic specialists in Great Britain are singled out, especially the peculiarities of British postgraduate level. It shows the peculiarities of development of British educational system in the context of formation and reformation of European educational environment and a widespread tendency of lifelong learning. The essence of basic terms of distance education, its principles, distinctive features are defined as well as peculiarities of using distance learning in the process of training pedagogic specialists. The work presents analysis of theories of distance education as the theoretical background of training specialists by distance. In addition, it clears up the features of the system of distance learning in Britain, discovers the volume of distance learning market, gives analysis of practical models of distance education in British higher educational establishments and analysis of national British strategies of distance education and their implementation within definite universities. Based on the analysis of scientific literature, official documents and programs of training Master of Education by distance in British universities (including Open University) the content and peculiarities of training specialists mentioned above are pointed out. Such peculiarities include: modular structure of the curriculum with core and optional elements; flexibility of any program due to its modular structure, possibility to combine modules of different programs; different pathways on postgraduate level within one program (from postgraduate certificate to Master level); close connection of its theoretical and practical aspects. The alternative ways of gaining education by distance are singled out. The peculiarities of functioning of Ukrainian system of distance learning and Ukrainian educational sphere were analyzed. The reasons of slow introduction of distance learning in Ukrainian universities were pointed out. The basic elements of successful implementation of distance learning were identified. As a result of investigation the successful progressive ideas of similar British experience were singled out, the latter may be taken into consideration while constructing distance training of Masters of pedagogic specialties in Ukrainian universities.