Didactic principles of the digital educational process and problems of their implementation

Author of the article: Anastasia Tyapkina
A student of the Department of Applied Informatics at MGTU named after G.I. Nosov

Introduction
Modern education is being transformed under the influence of digital technologies, which are becoming an integral part of the educational process.

Digital education is a new format of learning that involves improving the quality and accessibility of knowledge. Digital technologies are used in a variety of educational contexts: schools, colleges and universities, workplaces, courses, and training.
The relevance of the topic is due to the widespread use of digital technologies in the educational process. In the context of globalization and the rapid development of information technology, digital education opens up new opportunities for students and teachers, providing access to extensive educational resources and innovative teaching methods. However, digital education faces several challenges.
The purpose of this article is to analyze the basic didactic principles used in the digital educational process and also to consider their impact on the quality of learning and student perception. In addition, it is important to identify the challenges that students and educational institutions face when transitioning to digital learning.
Key didactic principles, such as the principle of activity and independence of students, the principle of visibility, the principle of accessibility and affordability of learning, the principle of systematicity and consistency, the principle of scientificity, and the principle of motivation, will be considered in the context of their application in the digital educational environment.

At the end of the article, the results will be summed up, recommendations for the successful implementation of digital educational technologies will be proposed, and prospects for the further development of the digital educational process will be considered.

The concept of the didactic digital educational process

Digital learning is the integration of modern information and communication technologies into traditional teaching methods to improve the effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of learning. This process covers a wide range of tools and methods, including online courses, interactive learning materials, virtual classrooms, e-books, and learning apps.
What is a digital educational process?

The digital educational process is a system for organizing and conducting the educational process using digital technologies. It is based on the use of computers, tablets, smartphones, and other devices, as well as specialized software and Internet resources to implement educational programs and achieve educational goals.
The main characteristics of the digital educational process include:

  • Interactivity
    The ability for students to actively interact with educational materials and teachers in real-time;
  • Personalization
    Adaptation of educational materials and teaching methods to the individual needs and level of training of each student;
  • Accessibility
    Providing access to educational resources anytime and from anywhere there is an internet connection;
  • Flexibility
    The ability to organize training on a flexible schedule, which is especially important for people with disabilities or with a busy work schedule;
The meaning of digital education implementation
The active implementation of digital education began in the late 20th and early 21st century with the development of the internet and digital technologies. However, the COVID-19 pandemic, which began in 2020, has become a significant catalyst for this process, forcing educational institutions around the world to urgently switch to distance learning and increase the use of digital educational platforms and resources.

Digital education is necessary for several reasons:
  • 1
    Improving the quality of learning: the use of digital technologies can improve the quality of the educational process through interactive and multimedia materials that make learning more interesting and effective;
  • 2
    Adaptation to individual needs: digital educational tools allow you to adapt the learning process to the individual needs of each student, providing a more personalized approach to learning;
  • 3
    Preparing for the digital world: today's learners live in a world where digital technologies play a key role, and the education system must equip them to thrive in this digital society;
  • 4
    Expanding learning opportunities: digital education provides access to global educational resources and allows you to gain knowledge from the world's leading experts, regardless of the student's geographic location;
Thus, the digital educational process represents an important step in the development of the education system, aimed at increasing its efficiency, accessibility, and compliance with the requirements of modern society.

Didactic principles of digital education

Thus, the digital educational process represents an important step in the development of the education system, aimed at increasing its efficiency, accessibility, and compliance with the requirements of modern society.
  • Principle of activity and independence of students
Students independently master the material and complete assignments. Active participation and independent work contribute to better learning and the development of critical thinking.

Examples: using interactive platforms for self-study, completing project assignments, and participating in discussions on online forums. Completing video lectures and completing assignments is available in a huge number of courses, both from educational programs and from specific companies. For example, courses from Stepik, Codecademy, SIKE, and many others.
  • Principle of visibility
Educational material must be presented in a visually accessible and understandable form. Visual materials help you better understand and remember information.

Examples: using video tutorials, interactive presentations, infographics, animations, and visual simulations. Similar elements for training are implemented, for example, in courses from OpenEdu, Stepik, S8Capital, NMLK, and SIKE.

  • Principle of accessibility and affordability of learning
Educational material must be accessible and understandable for students of different backgrounds. Making materials accessible helps prevent students from falling behind and keeps them motivated.

Examples: adapting educational materials to different levels of complexity, using simple and understandable language, and providing additional resources for in-depth study.
  • Principle of systematicity and consistency
Training should be structured and consistent, ensuring logical and step-by-step mastery of the material. A systematic approach helps students better assimilate and connect knowledge.

Examples: developing a clear curriculum, using modular learning, and consistently presenting topics and concepts.
  • Principle of scientificity
Training material should be based on scientific evidence and current research. Ensuring scientific awareness helps students gain reliable and relevant knowledge.

Examples: using research-based materials, using experts to create training courses, and updating content to reflect new evidence.

The principle of scientificity is exemplified by the simulator from SIKE company "Rolling mill operator and hot rolling mill operator: reversing stand of a large section mill" (Figure 1).

Figure 1 - example of realization of the principle of scientificity in simulators

  • Principle of motivation
Training should be aimed at maintaining and strengthening student motivation to achieve better results.

Examples: introducing gamification elements, and providing positive feedback (Figure 2,3).

The principle of motivation is presented using the example of the SIKE line of simulators. Points are awarded for carrying out a process with given parameters, and achievements are given for completing certain tasks. Thanks to the accumulated points and achievements in the simulator, students can grow in position: schoolchild, student, operator, senior operator, and foreman. The student's progress is recorded in a ranking among all participants in the training.

Figure 2, 3 implementation of the principle of motivation using the example of a line of simulators

  • Principle of individualization and differentiation
The learning process should take into account the individual characteristics and needs of each student.

Examples: personalized learning paths, adaptive educational platforms, individual consultations, and support.
  • Principle of feedback
Feedback should be timely, constructive, and aimed at improving learning outcomes. Feedback helps students understand their mistakes and work to correct them.

Examples: regular comments from teachers on completed assignments, use of automatic testing and evaluation systems, and online consultations.
  • Principle of contextuality and vitality of learning
Training material should be related to real life and practical problems. Real-life connections make learning more meaningful and interesting for students.

Examples: using real examples and cases, conducting practical classes and projects, and discussing current events and news.
  • Principle of integration of different types of activities
The educational process should include a variety of activities for the comprehensive development of students. Integration of various activities contributes to the comprehensive development of skills and knowledge.

Examples: combining theoretical and practical classes, group projects, laboratory work, and independent research.
  • Principle of interactivity
Learning should include elements of interactivity to engage students actively. Interactive elements encourage active student participation and enhance understanding.

Examples: using interactive learning platforms, and creating interactive tasks and tests.
The implementation of the principle of interactivity can be considered using the example of a virtual training complex from the SIKE company in Figure 4:

Figure 4 implementation of the principle of interactivity using the example of the “Converter Steelmaker” simulator

These didactic principles form the basis of an effective digital educational process, helping to improve the quality of learning and create a favorable learning environment adapted to modern requirements and opportunities. The development of digital education has brought numerous advantages over traditional education; however, it has also introduced problems that need to be solved.

Challenges in the implementation of didactic digital education

Digital education, despite its many benefits, faces several challenges. These challenges affect various aspects of the educational process, including technical, pedagogical, and social issues.

One of the challenges of digital education is unequal access to necessary technology and the internet. It lies in technical equipment: students from low-income families and remote regions may not have access to computers or high-speed internet, creating a gap in educational opportunities. However, according to the national education quality survey conducted in 2020, only 2% of schoolchildren in Russia do not have access to the Internet.

Problems may lie in the lack of pedagogical support: digital technologies require certain skills, but not all teachers have them. In addition, technologies are developing rapidly, which requires constant updating of knowledge, retraining, and advanced training. Materials in e-courses may not be accurate, and online tests may not be flexible enough to assess student knowledge.

Discipline and motivation to learn are also important. Without direct supervision from teachers, students may lose concentration on their studies, using gadgets for purposes other than e-courses.

Security and privacy issues must be kept in mind — educational platforms must protect student data, while students must distinguish between legitimate platforms and scams that seek to profit from subscriptions to courses that offer no real training. In addition, security concerns extend beyond student data — in the open digital space, it's quite easy to obtain answers to assignments from third-party sources or through cyberattacks on the educational platforms themselves.

It is worth taking into account social problems - digital learning can make students feel like they are lacking face-to-face communication, negatively affect social skills, and constant use of screens can cause fatigue and stress.

The problems of didactic digital education require an integrated approach to solving them. This includes improving access to technology, advancing teacher training, ensuring the quality of educational materials, student motivation, data security, and psychological support. Addressing these challenges will maximize the potential of digital education and ensure it is effective and accessible to all students.
Conclusion
Digital education represents a significant advance in pedagogy, opening up new learning opportunities and providing access to knowledge on a global scale. Didactic principles form the basis of an effective digital educational process.

In this article, we examined the basic didactic principles, determining their impact on improving the quality of education and creating a favorable learning environment adapted to modern requirements and opportunities.
In addition, we have identified the challenges faced by students and educational institutions in the transition to digital education.

Strategies need to be developed to overcome these challenges. It is important to ensure equal access to technology for all students, invest in teacher training, create quality and relevant learning materials, keep students motivated, and protect student data. An integrated approach to solving these problems will make it possible to maximize the potential of digital education and ensure its effectiveness and accessibility for all participants in the educational process.

Thus, digital education, with the right approach and solution to emerging problems, can become a powerful tool for improving the quality and accessibility of education in the modern world.

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