Modeling in the environment of three-dimensional graphics as a method of forming students' critical thinking

The problem and the aim of the study. The formation of critical thinking is one of the most important tasks that teachers face in the vocational education system. The complexity, versatility of the studied objects, phenomena and processes of reality make it necessary for the mentors of the digital school to look for universal methods of cognition. The authors propose to use the modeling method in 3D graphics environments to form critical thinking as an important skill that meets the challenges of globalization and transformation. Research methods. The main method is modeling, as a general scientific method for studying the phenomena of reality using the analogy between the model and the original. The research was carried out on the basis of Vyatka State University for students of the training programme 44.04.01 Pedagogical education, profile Informatization of Education (master degree level). A software tool for organizing modeling as a method of teaching and scientific cognition is SketchUp. The Pearson's χ2(chi-square) criterion was used as a method for statistical processing of the experimental data. Results. The students of the experimental group used modeling in the environment of three-dimensional graphics at the following stages: acquiring theoretical information about the original object, creating a substitute model, developing a system of research problems, reflection, checking and adjusting the results in the conditions of the original object, the statement of a qualitatively new knowledge. The assessment of the levels of formation of critical thinking was carried out and statistically significant differences in the qualitative changes that occurred in the pedagogical system were revealed, χ2emp.2> χ2crit0.05(6.42 > 5.99). In conclusion, the conditions under which three-dimensional modeling contributes to the development of basic properties that ensure the formation of critical thinking are generalized: application together with other methods of scientific knowledge; modeling not only in a software environment for creating a 3D project, but also developing an Instruction as a model for its practical application; obtaining qualitatively new knowledge, etc. © 2021 LLC Ecological Help. All rights reserved