INTERACTIVE METHODS OF FORMING A POSITIVE PROFESSIONAL IMAGE OF THE FUTURE IT SPECIALIST

Introduction. The development of an information society and the introduction of information technologies in all spheres of human life becomes one of the priority directions of the state policy of Ukraine. In this context, there is a need for competitive information technology professionals who are capable of generating scientific ideas in practice. The theory and practice of forming a professional image of a specialist is somewhat covered by scientists who have studied these in the context of the activity approach (the correspondence or mismatch of his/her personality with the requirements of professional activity) and the personal one (the characteristic of one's personal qualities as a professional). The priority in shaping the professional image of the future IT specialist is given to interactive methods, since these methods provide means for the student to implement a consistent transition to the reality of crafted image characteristics by implementing a strategic and operational plan for its formation. However, despite the importance of using interactive methods in the educational process, unfortunately, the methodological provision of forming a positive professional image of a future IT specialist has not been developed at the stage of students' training at higher educational institutions. The purpose of the given work lies in consideration of interactive methods of forming a positive professional image of the future specialist in the field of information technology, taking into account the personal and activity approaches. Results. The key concept in the context of our study is «interactive methods for creating a positive professional image of a future specialist in information technology», which are understood to be the methods aimed at continuous active interaction as concerns the formation of students' individual style of activity, communication and expansion of their opportunities, spheres of their application, the major priority of which is the moral qualities of an individual, as a result of which certain changes take place in a more careful attitude towards one's self as an instrument of the professional activity, creativity, and spiritual growth. Originality. The interactive methods of forming a positive professional image of the future IT specialist are described in the following areas: informational (interface, team information search), motivational (flashmob «Company Logo», joint project «Corporate Image», brainstorming, press conferences, experiments), professional (range of professional ideas, modeling of role situations, «Interviewing», «Attestation», «Assessment-Center», discussions with IT professionals, professional wrestling, briefing), communicative (discussion of ideas arising out of a situation, «Two-Four-Altogether», dialogues, discussions, relevant interviews, presentations), goal-setting (SWOT-analysis, formulation of image-based goals for SMART technology, development of a plan for solving a certain problem). Analysis of interactive methods aimed at collective, cooperative, group collaboration on the formation of a professional image is carried out. Conclusion. The interactive methods selected in accordance with the peculiarities of the professional activity of a future IT specialist make possible: the use of obtained methods of cooperation for modeling different professional situations; identification of features and characteristics required to create a positive image; inclusion into the process of forming an image (a consistent transition to the reality of characteristics of a crafted image by implementing a strategic and operational plan for image formation).