Professionally oriented network course as the basis for developing the computational thinking of future engineers

Problem statement . The need to study and use network technology competencies to improve the general education and professional level is becoming a prerequisite for training the next generation of advanced engineers. To effectively use computer devices and digital tools, computational thinking is required. The study aimed at substantiating the effectiveness of using a professionally oriented network training course for the development of computational thinking of future engineers. Methodology . To obtain theoretical generalizations, an analysis of scientific works on the problem of defining the phenomenon of “computational thinking” and the use of network educational resources in the training of specialists in engineering and technical specialties was carried out. Computational thinking is determined as a mental process of a set of actions: mobilizing an image system of objects and their interconnections from human memory; formulating the problem taking into account uncertainties; creating a solution algorithm; and implementing it effectively using digital tools. 68 bachelors were involved in the study in the direction of training 23.03.03 “Operation of transport-technological machines and complexes”, profile “Automobiles and automotive industry”. All are first-year students of the Russian State Agrarian University - Moscow Agricultural Academy named after K.A. Timiryazev. The online training course “Computer science and networks” is used, developed by E. V. Shchedrina, presented on the Moodle platform, and has registration certificate no. 24877 dated August 28, 2021. To diagnose and assess the maturity of computational thinking, the author’s testing materials are used: 30 questions following the work program of the discipline. Pearson's chi-square test was applied as a statistical processing method. Results . When working with the materials of a network course in the discipline “Computer Science and Networks,” a new generation engineer performs a sequence of actions characteristic of computational thinking: analyzes the text of a professionally oriented problem (formulates the task as a computational problem), decomposes the problem, composes and implements the algorithm, performs its analysis and evaluation. The conditions that influence the formation of computational thinking are generalized: obtaining relevant scientific and theoretical facts, patterns, and information on innovative methods and means; their reasoned choice, effective implementation at a high technical level; and analysis of the result and its practical application. Statistically significant differences were determined in the qualitative changes that occurred in the system of training specialists for high-tech production. Conclusion . The positive aspects of using a professionally oriented network course for the development of computational thinking of engineers are highlighted (for example, to gain experience in formulating a problem taking into account the uncertainty of the future, students analyze a corporate network, determine a subnet mask for different conditions, etc.). Options for the practical application of the research results are proposed: in the work of the All-Russian network project for variety testing “Malaya Timiryazevka”, and in the activities of the Center for Pre-University Training and the Digital Department of the academy.