The Use of Mobile Learning Tools in Forming Future Economists' Competence in English

Авторами проаналізовано сучасні погляди на мобільне навчання як специфічний різновид електронного навчання, вивчено науковий досвід вітчизняних та зарубіжних учених К. Бугайчука, М. Кислової, С. Семерікова, А. Стряка, М. Стряка, Г. Ткачук, Дж. Тракслера, С. Бегера, Е. Джонс та ін. Надано власне розуміння поняття «мобільне навчання». Визначено місце мобільного навчання в підготовці майбутніх економістів-міжнародників та окреслено перспективи подальшого використання мобільних ресурсів під час формування їхньої англомовної комунікативної компетентності. Описано результати он-лайн опитування студентів - майбутніх економістів-міжнародників та викладачів англійської мови, які забезпечуять вивчення професійно зоріюнтованих фахових дисциплін. Опитування дозволило визначити частоту використання мобільних додатків для опанування англійської мови, їх затребуваність; найуживанішими виявилися Oxford Dictionary of English, Google Translate, English Grammar Test.The article is devoted to the actual problem - implementation of mobile learning tools into the training of future economists. The authors analyze modern views on mobile learning as a specific kind of e-learning, study the scientific experience of domestic and foreign scientists such as K. Bugaychuk, M. Kislova, S. Semerikov, A. Stryuk, M. Stryuk, G. Tkachuk, J. Traksler, S. Ведега, А. Jones and others. The concept of “mobile learning” formulated by the authors, is provided. The article's goal realization includes the place of mobile learning in the preparation of future economists' determination and outlining the prospects of further use of mobile resources during formation of future economists' English-language communicative competence. Main research methods are theoretical methods of scientific knowledge (analysis and synthesis, generalization and deduction), the methods of the empirical level (surveys and observations). The results of the students' on-line survey featuring future economists and English teachers who provide professional-oriented training are described. The survey allowed to determine the attitude of respondents to the use of mobile tools for studying and improving English speaking skills; the frequency of mobile applications use for the English language acquisition, mobile applications' demand (the most commonly used were Oxford Dictionary of English, Google Translate, English Grammar Test). Almost all respondents agreed that mobile learning is effective for the development of language skills, suitable for introducing into the process of forming English-language communicative competence of future international economists. The conclusions note that mobile learning effectively implements the didactic function (the use of mobile gadgets as learning tools, development of the specific mobile informational and didactic content), as well as provides communication between participants during the learning process (communication function). The most effective methods of mobile learning are indicated, among them: creation of a training site adapted to mobile devices; creating a training blog; the use of mobile applications that are part of the mobile software, and the potential of social networks. It is concluded that the research is practical, since it outlines the prospects for the mobile learning introduction in the process of training future economists. It is important that the forms and methods of mobile learning provide implementation of modern principles of informatization and globalization of education and can be successfully used in forming English competence of future specialists of the international economy when the conditions of developing special mobile content are met