PRACTICAL USE OF THE «CASE-STUDY» METHOD TO FORM FUTURE ENGINEERSELECTRICIANS’ PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE IN ELECTRIC SAFETY

The article considers the issues of improving the educational process in higher education institutions by introducing innovative technologies into the learning process. It is proved that one of the priority directions of modernization of the system of higher technical education is the implementation of the competence-oriented approach. This, in turn, determines the search for new principles for organizing the educational process in higher education institutions. Qualitative professional training should provide the future specialist with the competences of safe professional activities. Despite the widespread use of various technical and preventive measures aimed at improving the electrical safety conditions, the problem of reducing electrical injuries remains relevant. Training future engineers-electrical engineers in higher education institutions, in particular, the formation of their professional competence using traditional teaching methods to date does not fully meet the requirements of the modern information society. There is a need to develop a scientific integrated approach to the process of training electrical engineers in issues of electrical safety, which will give an opportunity to provide a high level of their professional competence. It is determined that one of the prospective directions for forming the professional competence of future electrical engineers in electrical safety is the situational method (case study) which can be successfully applied in open and distance learning. The software facilitating the development of the future engineers' professional electrical competence includes a system for evaluating students' performance in points and examining each case with possible consequences as a result of effective or ineffective actions. For problematic practical exercises, as an innovative form of training, we have used interactive professional trainings – an innovative technology for working out algorithms aimed at solving problem situations related to industrial safety, electrical safety, and safety management at an enterprise. During problem-solving practice sessions, students use their own experience in developing an algorithm for solving a particular production situation: an algorithm for identifying potential hazards; algorithm for hazard identification, algorithm for risk assessment, algorithm for reducing the negative effects of electric shock hazard, algorithm for emergency services under life threatening conditions caused by violations of industrial safety, electrical safety. To provide for multimedia support of the professional-creative stage representing the formation of the future engineers-electricians' professional competence, these author's elaborations have been used: algorithms of actions in software shells. The proposed technology of education is based on real life situations, therefore it provides students with factual material; activates cognitive activity; develops intelligence, creative abilities and thinking; teaches to find the most rational and original decisions from a multitude of them; helps to increase the mobility to apply the received knowledge in practice.