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Introduction. The process of professional training in most economic sectors is now thoroughly developed and regulated by global science. Today, the exception is the creative directions of professional activity, which play an important role in society. Therefore, there is a reasonable request for the professional training in creative industries. However, in science and practice, it is still not clear how professional training in creative industries should be carried out. An educational model, based on modern approaches and principles of learning, can be an effective solution to this problem.Aim. The present research aimed to disclose the content and results of approbation of the model of professional training in computer-based music production.Methodology and research methods. The research methodological framework is based on the concepts of competency-based, activity-based, technological and personality-oriented approaches to education; research papers on the problems of using computer music technologies in education; theory and practice of teaching models application in higher education.The leading method was the modelling of the educational process in specialised training in the field of computer-based music production. An experimental research study was carried out with the participation of students and teachers of higher education (n = 83 people). The authors employed the following methods: a questionnaire survey, testing, practical assignments, measurement of motivation for educational computer-based music production, the Fisher’s method.Results and scientific novelty. The current research paper presents the authors’ model of specialised computer-based musical instruction, which includes four main units: motivational-targeted, content-logical, activity-technological and diagnostic (evaluative-productive). The novelty of the model is determined by the implementation of the leading innovative educational activity of students, which is characterised by the production, processing and reproduction of musical material using musical computer technologies. An important component of the model is a complex of pedagogical technologies, which is a part of the activity-technological unit and includes the following technologies: interactive, design, research, modelling technologies, individualisation of training, computer and information technologies. The effectiveness of the content of the proposed educational model is confirmed by the results of the experimental research study on the implementation of this model in the conditions of student mastery of computer-based music production disciplines in the real educational process of a pedagogical university. The data obtained revealed a high (sufficient and advanced) level of formation of computer-based musical competencies among students.Practical significance. The model for specialist training can become a separate element of the educational programme, which provides training for specialists in computer-based music production. The research materials may have implications for the further development of educational science and the practice of specialist training in other creative industries.

Introduction. Today, foreign language competence of a person is a necessary means of active social and professional life. Despite this, quite a lot of young people do not always have the desire to learn foreign languages. This paradox made the motivation to learn foreign languages a popular issue to research worldwide. The article presents the scoping review of international studies devoted to the issue of motivation to learn foreign languages. First of all, it is necessary to understand the research trends in the study of this issue in general, and to determine factors, which influence the lack of students' interest to learn foreign languages in particular.The aim of the present research is to outline the current focus trends and to define the gaps in international research papers aimed at investigating the issue of motivation for foreign languages learning.Methodology and research methods. The methodological framework of the current research is based on the qualitative content analysis of relevant empirical research on this issue from the periodicals indexed by the international databases Scopus and Web of Science over the last 15 years. This review will provide an understanding of the degree of knowledge of the analysed issues at the international level.Results. The research works on the issues of motivation for foreign languages learning were divided into two main categories: the research works concentrated on inner - academic and professional factors, and the works which deal with the outer - social factors of influence. Within these groups, the existing research trends and the most promising research areas were identified (for instance, the influence of peers on the motivational sphere of students). Amongst the numerous works investigating external (socio-economic) factors of influence, there is insufficient research on the influence of macro-political and macro-economic factors on the motivation for learning languages (for instance, foreign languages learning preferences). The research outcomes will contribute to understanding the factors, which influence the students' lack of interest in learning foreign languages.The scientific novelty is in the originality of the demonstrated review, which includes many scientific papers performed by scientists from all over the world and based on various research procedures. In the review, the geographical principle of data selection was not used and the publication date was not taken into account. The main selection criterion was a research paper to be published in a journal peer-reviewed by international databases over the last 15 years.Such a principle was necessary to understand research trends in the issue of motivation for mastering a foreign language competence and to determine similar (or specific) factors for different countries, which cause students' lack of interest in learning foreign languages.Practical significance. The results of the obtained analysis will give understanding of the reasons for the lack of students' motivation to study foreign languages. Moreover, it will help to find a solution to this international challenge.

Introduction. The new digital economy and its constantly evolving paradigm have completely transformed the model of doing business and the learning methods. MOOCs (massive-open-online-courses) and micro-credentials are the educations interfaces, have become an important teaching environment tool. Distance learning has become an indispensable alternative teaching method in updating and transferring classical education materials according to real-world settings, especially for learners in higher education.Aim. The current research is aimed to address the society's readiness and attitude direction to the concept of MOOCs and distance learning, highlighting its emergence and inevitability for educational institutions of all types in order to make a fundamental change in their curricula, especially in e-business courses, which are the most demanded training courses on MOOCs platforms.Methodology and research methods. In the study, the awareness and recognition of the online community on the MOOCs concept is examined. In this direction, Turkish people's perception and attitudes toward MOOCs have been addressed via sentiment analysis on Eksi Sozluk, the largest social communication and discussion platform in Turkey.Results. According to the sentiment analysis results, it has been determined that 52% of respondents have positive judgments on distance education and MOOCs, 29% of responses are neutral and 18% are negative. In general, distance education and MOOCs are perceived as a useful new education model by the Turkish people.Scientific novelty. This paper is the first sentiment analysis of learners' opinions on MOOCs and distance learning in Turkey. Considering the increasing awareness of MOOCs and the need for e-business education, as the most demanded type of MOOCs, this is the first study investigating the priority of these two phenomena within the context of COVID-19.Practical significance. It is thought that this study will contribute to the stakeholders in terms of showing how MOOCs and micro-credentials have a high potential to understanding trends in education especially in the new normal after the COVID-19 pandemic. The holistic education model of institutions has difficulty meeting the competitive nature and result-oriented approach of the e-business ecosystem. This market reality requires the institutions to offer more to-the-point and applied education solutions. In terms of e-business (e-commerce, digital marketing) education, the importance of MOOCs as a solution-focused on “how” rather than “what” has been comprehensively discussed in the paper.

Introduction. In the modern educational space, an intensive digital transformation is currently taking place, which imposes new requirements for teacher competencies. This determines the relevance of setting goals and solving problems in order to develop up-to-date models for improving the qualifications of teachers of vocational education and training (VET). The paper discusses the current state of the development of digital competencies of teachers and teachers of Serbia and Russia in line with the European Digital Competence Framework (DigComp) and the European Digital Competence Framework for Educators (DigСompЕdu). The paper includes an analysis of the peculiarities of vocational education and training systems, as well as the directions of further training of teachers, conducted by participants in the international project “Professional Development of Vocation Education Teachers with European Practices (Pro-VET)”. In order to better understand national contexts, the content of the reports of the participating countries of the project was analysed in the context of the EU policy and strategy for the development of digital competency of VET teachers. In this article, the authors focus on exploring digital competencies required of VET teachers within the European Digital Competence Framework for Educators (DigСompЕdu) to identify digital competencies and development needs of Serbian and Russian VET teachers when working in online learning environments. The aims of the research are the following: 1) to compare the educational needs of Russian and Serbian VET teachers in the development of their digital pedagogical competencies; 2) to identify the theoretical and practical base for VET teachers’ digitally competent development programme design in the context of online learning according to the best European practices in the field of VET. Methodology and research methods. The development of the model was based on learning theories, didactics and practical approaches to soft skills development in online learning environments. The research has been conducted by the means of document analysis, theoretical analysis and synthesis methods, comparative method, modelling method and expert estimation method. Results and scientific novelty. Key aspects of VET teacher training systems in Russia and Serbia are compared and needs in development of digital pedagogical skills of Russian and Serbian VET teachers are identified. A developed model of VET teachers’ digitally competent development programme design in the context of online learning according to best European practices in this fields is represented by two components: structural and functional. The structural component of VET teachers’ digitally competent development model contains: learning theories and didactics, adult learning theories, soft skills development approaches in online learning, learning outcomes development approaches. The functional component of the model contains: national and European educational policy, strategies in the field of digitalisation of education and the development of digital competencies of teachers, European Union policies related to online learning; pedagogical, psychological and didactical design parameters of the content of advanced training programmes in the context of e-learning. Practical significance. The demonstrated model is being tested in the framework of the implementation of the international Pro-VET project supported by ERASMUS+. Methodological approaches, procedure and tools of VET teachers’ digitally competent development are being developed and tested. The application of digitally competent development programmes ensures the transparency of training and allows for the correlation of national and international training programmes as well as the development of academic and professional mobility of VET teachers. The process of designing such educational training programmes in online environment for VET teachers has begun at some universities in Russia and Serbia (participants of the project). The developed online training programmes can be used as a basis to design more quality online courses beyond the Pro-VET project in the sphere of professional development for VET teachers.

Introduction. Learner autonomy and the ability to determine their own learning paths are becoming the crucial components of graduates’ competitiveness. As Russian students at many higher educational institutions are often brought up in a teacher-oriented learning environment, they are often less adept at autonomous learning. Such skills are especially important nowadays as there tend to be fewer hours of classroom learning. This problem is further compounded by mother tongue interference which is as a rule undesired at advanced levels and also by difficulties of understanding and memorizing foreign language material. Therefore, this paper studies how English corpora and independent work may be used to enhance autonomy.The aim of the research was to describe the potential of English corpora – alongside other sources – to teach English as a foreign language, and furthermore, to analyse and determine the effects of this innovative approach on learner autonomy and language proficiency.Methodology and research methods. The research method involved at the pre-experiment stage was an extensive literature review of relevant studies. The basis for designing the abovementioned system of teaching techniques incorporated the methodology of corpus linguistics, systematization, analysis and consolidation of the best practices in this field of linguistics. The main tool of the pedagogical experiment whose aim was exploring the potential of corpus-based tasks to promote learner autonomy was the author’s methodology of teaching English to university students. Results and scientific novelty. The author described a number of autonomy forming factors and the pedagogical principles underlying learner autonomy enhancement. A system of corpus-based tasks and activities in conjunction with tasks for intensive and extensive reading and listening for students’ independent work was developed. The designed system was implemented in a five-month experiment which took place at the Institute of Foreign Languages, Ural State Pedagogical University (Yekaterinburg). The research findings based on the pre-experiment and post-experiment data comparison suggest that foreign language teaching is more effective with corpus tasks as they promote learner autonomy. The experimental group (n = 13) became better, i.e. more independent, learners, which indicates their enhanced autonomy, and consequently, a higher level of language proficiency was demonstrated. Thus, corpus-driven language learning coupled with traditional forms of independent work contributes to students’ motivation and sufficient academic progress.Practical significance. The obtained results may provide valuable insights which could be beneficial for foreign language teachers at any educational level. The findings of the study can be used as a framework for further theoretical and empirical research into the effect of the corpus-based approach as well as other forms of independent and classroom learning on enhancing learner autonomy. Another novel contribution of the paper is using the GloWbE corpus that is still relatively unknown in Russia for designing tasks.

Introduction. Nowadays, the steadily growing relationship with the People’s Republic of China is one of the priority directions of the foreign policy of the Russian Federation. According to the author of the present paper, new opportunities for active constructive interaction between the countries are provided with the One Belt and One Road Initiative (OBOR or BRI) adopted by China for the purpose of combination of efforts of the states for stable development of economy in the Eurasian space and peaceful co-existence of the people on the basis of the principles of openness, inclusivity of different civilizations, tolerance, safety, mutual benefit and training.The aim of the paper is to discuss the status and prospects of the RussianChinese cooperation in the humanitarian field and search for new narrative for development cooperation.Methodology and research methods. The research was performed with a support on philosophical and general scientific methods: comparative, structurally functional and system types of analysis, synthesis, generalization, and forecasting.Results and scientific novelty. The Russian-Chinese recent cooperation was considered. Special attention was given to education communication strategy as one of the reliable and checked channels of establishment and consolidation of international economic relations. The educational component of humanitarian interaction enables to provide effective tools for adjustment and support for the international dialogue and has an extensive range of opportunities for harmonization of cultural, social and even political standards.It is emphasized that further strengthening of the productive bilateral interaction of the People’s Republic of China and the Russian Federation is prevented by its developed model which is under construction and functions mainly at the level of public authorities. In spite of the fact that the relations between two countries are on the rise, the potential of the existing model has become exhausted, and it is therefore necessary to search for other ways of future joint collaborative work. Strengthening of partnership requires the transition to multilateral cooperation with other states and mutual participation of Russia and China in the course of overcoming the social and economic imbalance in the zone of their shared interests – the territory of the revived Silk Road. The third countries located along its southern transit corridor, unlike the states of the northern direction, are characterized by the backwardness of economics, high unemployment rate, lack of the fair system of upward mobility, poverty and ignorance of the population, thus promoting the spread of religious extremism and escalation of international conflicts. The author proposed to involve the humanitarian sphere as the mechanism of the start of transcontinental infrastructure projects in order to normalize the social and economic situation in these regions, to overcome socio-cultural barriers and to achieve integration of economics of various states for the sake of their steady growth and effectivization. The coordinated actions of China, Russia and EU countries for the promotion and maintenance of modern models of education can become a decisive factor to stabilize and implement the One Belt and One Road Initiative in problematic regions. In the author’s view, partner States should focus on actions for modernization of national education systems and dissemination of scientific worldview, e.g. in the regions of the Northern Silk Road. Otherwise, the South will remain the centre of regularly military conflicts and terrorism financing, whereas the Russian and Chinese companies will continue to spend considerable personnel and financial resources for the safety of the ongoing joint projects.Practical significance. Materials of the research can be useful as a guide to reconsider the objectives of the Russian-Chinese alliance in the humanitarian sphere and generate new ideas on development and ways of implementation of the international educational programs.

Introduction. Professional training of the people possessing a wide range of entrepreneurial competencies is becoming an imperative in the conditions of a post-industrial society development characterized by a focus on innovation, priority of knowledge, a high level of competition and involvement of a big proportion of population in service industries. Universities are charged to play a key role in developing highly qualified specialists with an extensive creative and intellectual potential capable of implementing various business projects and becoming a driving force of a sustainable economic growth in their countries. Therefore, there is a big interest in practices of developing graduates’ entrepreneurial culture and literacy established in universities of developed countries.Aim. The article is aimed at systematizing the existing experience of the US and UK universities in delivering entrepreneurship education based on academic models as well as considering a possibility of adapting the most efficient conceptions, teaching approaches and techniques within the Russian higher education system.Methodology and research methods. The methods include a qualitative analysis of the concepts “entrepreneurship education” and “entrepreneurial competencies”. A case study method was used for describing the academic models applied for teaching entrepreneurship in different universities.Results and scientific novelty. The processes and outcomes of entrepreneurship training in the US and UK higher educational institutions were characterized and compared. The paper provides the description of the academic models applied at the leading universities for providing business education. They integrate the elements of experiential learning, multidisciplinary, multicultural, interactive, learner-centered teaching approaches to developing entrepreneurial behavior patterns, key and variable competencies and “soft” skills.The paper reveals the problems and drawbacks of entrepreneurship education delivery within the Russian higher education: a discrepancy between the competencies fixed in university curricula and the ones actually needed; an inadequacy of teaching methods and absence of consistency in the course of students’ acquisition of theoretical knowledge and practical skills for efficient entrepreneurship activity.Practical significance. The recommendations for improving entrepreneurship education in the Russian higher education system were proposed. The authors grounded a need for implementing an academic model of experiential learning, which enables graduates to develop entrepreneurial competencies and acquire a system of knowledge in the field of entrepreneurship.

Introduction. There are two tendencies considerably allocated in educational process of the modern higher school: the increasing amount of time for independent work of students and the active introduction of the information and communication technologies (ICT) which is followed by its continuous updating and improvement. The article contributes to the problem of managing competency-based and professionally-oriented self-study for future teachers; the suggested method combines the advantages of project-based learning and the use of ICT.Aim. The objective of the paper is to assess the efficacy of interdisciplinary e-project-based approach to managing university students’ self-study.Methods. To evaluate the efficacy of such innovative method as interdisciplinary e-projects, we use quantitative and qualitative assessment. A set of quantitative pre- and post-surveys are administered for students in order to evaluate their learning outcomes and competencies development. Students’ motivation and attitudes were evaluated through questionnaires, interviews and discussions. An expert group appraisal method was used to define assessment components. Results. The groups of didactic properties and ICT didactic functions are allocated and analysed. Types of educational projects are presented. Definition and characteristic of the interdisciplinary e-project are given. Results of the pedagogical experiment conducted in M. T. Kalashnikov Izhevsk State University are described; the technology of development among students of foreign-language and information-communication competences as the most important professional ones is approved.Scientific novelty. The method of interdisciplinary e-projects is offered; it involves a set of the educational-informative techniques and procedures realized in the electronic environment and directed to the solution of the interdisciplinary problem connected with types and tasks of vocational activity. Interdisciplinary eproject-based approach to managing university students’ self-study prevents the loss of vital professional competences that were formed at early stages of training; the problem-oriented nature of activity of pupils should be considered while performing e-projects. Gradual and systematic use of the method of interdisciplinary e-projects throughout the whole period of training in higher education institution provides positive dynamics of vocational training quality.Practical significance. E-project-based approach proposed in this paper can be used for full-and part-time educational courses, correspondence courses, and for vocational development courses.

The research paper deals with complex approach to integrative learning of most relevant themes of the subject of Geography and the subject of Technology. Within the section «Technology of woodworking», which is part of subject of Technology, it is important to teach students the form of coherent information on the processing of wood, properties of selected tree breeds, features of the installation details, types of trees used for timber production, the origin of trees, and expansion of trees over areas. All these knowledge should be delivered to students through an integrative teaching process.Methods. Study method of this research paper involves two main methods: statistical analysis as quantitative research method and literature review as qualitative research method. Based on statistical analysis the researcher tries to find out detailed information regarding facts that are used in the subject of Technology. Whereas literature review is referred in order to investigate the possibility of integrating the two subjects for the sake of better delivery of necessary knowledge to students. Moreover, as supporting research methods systematic approach to educational issues on the purpose of examining complicated issues precisely.Results. The study revealed possible emergence of interdisciplinary connections while realising integrative teaching of «Technology of woodworking» together with the teaching of Geography. Moreover, the research paper recommended giving priority to various collaborative learning processes while carrying out integrative teaching. Furthermore, the author provides detailed information about features and types of trees eligible for timber production, and also indicates statistical data about trees which are considered relevant information in the teaching of «Technology of woodworking».Scientific novelty. The implication and scientific novelty of the article contributes a lot to contemporary educational approaches one of which is integrative teaching or, in another word, inter-curricular integration. Thanks to the integrated teaching of Technology and Geography, it is possible for the students to learn the subject comprehensively and much better because integration creates conditions for the development of logical thinking and the formation of ability of independent thinking of students. Moreover, integrative teaching of subjects contributes to the build close relationship between the subjects and themes which have a positive impact on the creation of a dialogue and mutual understanding between teachers and students. This fact, in its turn, lays the foundation for an integrative approach to the study of the subjects.Practical significance. The results and suggestion of this research paper are considered appropriate to be used when creating integrative learning of Technology and Geography in vocational schools and when studying interdisciplinary issues for vocational schools.

The aim of the presented publication is to discuss the changes in the practice of professional higher education which consist in strengthening and emphasis of an educational component in educational process.Methods. The methods involve the analysis of a condition of higher education and the provisions of the Federal Law on Education regulating its functioning in the Russian Federation; text-centered approach to education of the person of culture – the professional specialist, responsible for the activities.Results and scientific novelty. It states that some drawbacks of the existing present-day education organization are being constantly discussed by a pedagogical community of the Russian Federation: the absence of development stability; the absence of effective strategies and technologies of their implementation; the triumph of national nihilism confirmed by high schools and individual scientists participation in different foreign educational projects, usually having world notorious reputation; penetration of commercial principals in to an education system, the latter having been turned in to an education service, etc. As a result the personality quality itself has greatly deteriorated as well as Russia society intellect, on the whole, according to some law, psychological, philosophical and pedagogical analysis. The article stresses that the way out maybe found in restoring Russian national traditions and lost values and returning them to Russian education via adequate upbringing process. The authors describe their innovative model comprising three directions: 1) the integral three-factor spiritual, moral and intellectual upbringing of the students; 2) specially selected text content professional information using text-centered approach and 3) peculiar interaction of two education subjects: a student and a teacher. Their cooperation envisages the following stages: first, teacher’s strict guidance of a student; then – teacher’s soft support of a student; after this – teacher’s accompanying a student at a special request and, at last, – wise consulting a student if needed. In the long run, in the author’s opinion, this system should succeed in creating some special platform for student’s further self-upbringing and self-learning. The model described in the paper is considered on the example of the discipline «A foreign language in the professional sphere». The just described model was worked out for effective foreign language education process perceived as a part of professional high-school education. Due to this system, foreign language becomes a source of professionally demanded and personally valuable information. Practical significance. The model provided in the paper gives the chance to the student to be lifted to self-education level, to plan professional self-development and to build an individual trajectory of professional career.

The paper aims to describe the taxonomic model as a multifunction matrix which ensures classifying educational information, educational reference materials, and students on the base of their competencies development level in the framework of the Federal State Educational Standards.Methods. The methods are based on qualimetric approach involving pedagogical expertise of matrix elements based on the Expert Group Appraisal method.Results. The paper presents methods and mathematical tools for assessing the ranking of cells of multifunctional matrix used for classifying the pedagogical objects.Scientific novelty. The paper introduces a new taxonomic model that solves the problem of educational standards measurability when implementing the competency-based approach in higher education.Practical significance. The taxonomic model and its application methods described in the study can be used for specifying and assessing the degree of achieving competency-based learning outcomes in higher education.

The aim of the study is to justify the need of teaching students how to use communicative skills in foreign language during the job interview; to demonstrate how to form the corresponding verbal competences based on the analysis of the certain communicative situation.Methods. The complex of complementary research methods are used in order to achieve the set goal: theoretical methods – analysis, synthesis, generalization of research papers; empirical methods – discourse-analysis of institutional communication; methods of data collection and storage; experimental methods – experimental learning, implementation.Results and scientific novelty. It is shown how to build up pupils’ competence of speech behavior during business dialogue, proceeding from a communicative situation. For the first time the job interview was described from the communicative point of view (strategic goals and verbal behavior of both communicators) based on the recordings of real job interviews.Practical significance. The study results presented in the paper may be used in direct teaching communicative skills at the job interview, in theoretical courses (delivering lectures on cross-cultural education, teaching foreign languages, the language of the specialty, etc.).

The purpose of the research is to study and analyse the current trends in internationalisation of higher education in European countries; analyse the performance of the University of Bologna with regard to development and implementation of its internationalisation strategy as well as identify factors facilitating successful development of internationalisation and hindering this process.Methods. Theoretical methods – analysis of regulatory documents on development and reforming of higher education; documents of national and international organisations which activities are relevant to internationalisation of higher education; conference papers; and regulatory documents of the University of Bologna. Empirical methods – student surveys and interviews with the staff members of the University of Bologna, observation, methods of mathematical statistics.Results and scientific novelty. The study has identified and described the major recent changes in the process of internationalisation in Europe. The outcomes of the research reveal that internationalisation process aimed primarily at enhancing the quality of education and research has become a strategic focus of universities; emphasis is being given to providing all students with the opportunity to develop intercultural competencies. The results of the empirical study suggest that the development of internationalisation at the University of Bologna is focused on enhancing academic mobility of students, elaborating and implementing double / joint degree programmes, as well as developing international research activities. One of the factors driving this development is the development and monitoring of the implementation of the University’s internationalisation strategy. Difficulties in the implementation of this strategy are still related to financial issues, as well as foreign language competency of students and professors and their insufficient motivation to participate in academic mobility programmes and international research projects.Practical significance. Material, presented in the paper, can be useful to staff members of international relations departments as well as people doing theoretical and practical research on development of internationalisation of higher education. The outcomes of the research can be used by Russian universities in developing and implementing their internationalisation strategies.

The aim of the investigation is to disclose lacks of dissertational works on pedagogics and to show possible ways of improvement of their quality.Results. It is stated that despite high volume and a variety of dissertational researches on pedagogical sciences, efficiency of their influence on education practice still remains rather low. The reason is low degree of quality of researches as many researches do not stimulate occurrence of innovations and growth of quality of education. As shown in the article the basic lacks that obstruct practical application are the following: a triviality and the unsubstantiated character, and insufficient novelty and excessive « scientificity». The author finds out the process and result of the most widespread type of the pedagogical research devoted to process of formation of personal quality, a kind of cultural experience or any pupils’ competence. The result of pedagogical research should contain criteria characteristic: the purposes of this process; maintenances of «transferred» experience; psychological conditions of its mastering; the description of system of pedagogical means and the receptions providing actualisation of these conditions; criteria and indicators of productivity of process; requirements to the teachers who are carrying out this process, and characteristics of pupils for which the offered technique is the most effective. The typical errors made by authors of researches are listed: psychological conditions (common factors, mechanisms) of expected innovations are not revealed; as a result the choice of means has no sufficient bases and reached effect can be a simple accident; authors do not provide evidence of changes that have resulted from application of any stated technique; the role of personal and professional qualities of the researcher are not pointed out, though it always takes a considerable place n pedagogical systems.cientific novelty. The paper is rather useful as the author gives a system consideration of the nature, specificity and conditions of scientific and pedagogical research productivity.Practical significance. The author provide the paper with accurate instructions for designing theoretical and empirical aspects of pedagogical research and ways of results summary that are the most comprehensible to their practical use while working on dissertation.

The purpose of the paper is the continuation of a cycle of the methodological articles, called to help work of young researchers.The general dissatisfaction with quality and results of research work in an education sphere and pedagogics has been largely caused not only insufficient level of methodological culture of competitors of scientific degrees and researchers-experts, but also their inability to choose a work technology of procedure of research that will be adequate to the purposes, problems and a plan of it. The present article is also devoted to this problem.Methods. The methods of the analysis, synthesis, idealisation, generalisation of author’s experience, a concrete definition and modelling are used.Results and scientific novelty. The general technology of scientific search in an education sphere is presented; the technology is developed on the basis of long-term experience of the Tyumen scientific and pedagogical school, and justified in practice. The author doesn’t take into consideration the rigid technology of algorithmic type which is hardly useful in works of creative character; but in the present case – frame technology that defines the expedient organisation, sequence of stages of work and its corresponding maintenance. The following technology components are described: self-determination of the researcher or research group on the basis of creation and the statement of the developed project of all procedures of search; statement of questions on initial allocation of the problem conducting ideas, a plan-way of its realisation; project performance, its ascertaining and a reformative part, research procedures (the basic stage); summarising, generalisation of the research performed, a writing of the text of report documents, preparation of total publications. Examples of typical errors of the young scientists who do not own the technology of scientific activity are given.Practical significance. Proposed recommendations stated in the paper are designated for teachers-researchers, students, master’s students, post-graduate students and doctoral students, mastering practical methodology of scientific and pedagogical search, and also to the supervisors of studies, aspiring to raise efficiency and content of the tutorial activity.

The aim of the investigation is to study practical approaches to the assessment of employee satisfaction in higher education institutions; to identify and determine the maturity level of assessment systems established in the universities.Methods. The methods involve general and special methods of scientific knowledge such as analogy, systemic and structural analysis, content analysis, and comparison method.Results. The paper presents the results of practical research on Russian universities activities on the sphere of the employee satisfaction assessment. 29 Russian national research universities were selected for the analysis. The levels of systems development of a satisfaction assessment of the personnel and approaches to such procedures are designated on the basis of the content of internal university documents. It is noted that development of satisfaction assessment systems of the personnel of high schools, complex revealing both subjective, and its objective indicators will allow the staff to make more well-founded administrative decisions, and to raise interest of employees in evolution of activity of educational institution; expenses reduction by high school of time and intellectual resources can become an economic benefit.Scientific novelty and practical significance. Material, presented in the paper, can be useful to employees of HR and quality control departments of higher educational institutions of Russia; as well as to managers who work in the education system and participate in the work of staff satisfaction evaluation. Theoretical aspects of the paper can become the basis for the formation and development of models of staff satisfaction evaluation systems and the starting point of any research related to the development of guidelines for the satisfaction staff assessment.

The aim of the paper is to consider the characteristics of the electronic textbook as the subject of the information-educational environment, which ensures the unity both of the procedural and substantive aspects of training.Results. The evolution of views on the electronic textbook in the course of the expansion and awareness of the didactic potential of information and communication technologies is shown. The structure of the electronic textbook is presented in the paper. It includes the following modules: information (invariant content of education and the expansion of its variability); organizational and procedural (variable-based assignments aimed at acquiring information, as well as a means of reflection and evaluation of results); personal (information and telecommunication means of organizing own knowledge); communicative (the field of information and assessment of interaction); and pedagogical (monitoring cognitive activity of students). The structure has been developed with due regard to the need of independent work of a student with the content of education in information and educational environment.Scientific novelty. The features of the independent work of the student in terms of abundance of information through information and communication technologies are analyzed. Special attention is paid to the development of independent cognitive activity of students, their subject position in education. On this bases, the key position that should be considered during the development of the electronic textbook are specified: cognitive activity is considered as an active process of constructing students’ new knowledge based on earlier formed personal experience; personal experience arises as a result of intellectual and cognitive activity of the student; cognition of something new requires an activity in the field of social communication; the efficiency of absorption of the content of education depends on the conditions of implementation of each student’s value preferences, intellectual capabilities and features.Practical significance. The paper is provided with generalisation of existing visions of electronic textbooks. The research material can be useful both to implementers of such educational means, and the teachers mastering new forms of work with schoolchildren

The aim of the investigation is to assess the relevance or otherwise of the Validation of Non formal and Informal (VNIL) for Russian universities. VNIL practices have been in existence since the 1930s and are in use around the world but not in Russia. The paper defines VNIL and the practices associated with it. It discusses why policy makers in UNESCO, the OECD and the EU believe there should be more widespread adoption of such practices, to meet the needs of citizens and organisations in a globalised economy.Methods. The paper reviews leading literature in the subject including extensive international reviews of practice. A case study is included to illustrate how VNIL is used in one university in England.Results. The paper concludes that VNIL is as relevant for pedagogic practice in Russia as elsewhere.Scientific novelty. The subject is a new one for a Russian readership, with few if any papers published in Russian.Practical significance. The paper briefly outlines the main uses of VNIL and its main practical significance is to spread ideas in respect of contemporary pedagogical practice in higher education.

The paper deals with the analysis of philosophical and theological creativity of Russian theological academies’ teachers of the early 20th century. The aim of this study is to identify the impact of methodological foundations’ changes of philosophical-theological quest on the teachers of Russian theological academies and the educational process itself in theological schools. Methods. The author focuses on the content of training courses delivered in the theological academies in the first two decades of the 20th century; problem statement peculiarities; aspect and priority choice in the fundamental researches conducted by the teachers of these schools. The applied methods include the comparative method, analysis, synthesis, method of abstraction, other philosophical and scientific methods. Results. The author comes to the conclusion that the changes of methodological installations in scientific research representatives of spiritual and academic theism beginning of the 20th century can be compared with similar studies of the nineteenth century. It is mentioned that reorientation of a number of prominent representatives of spiritual and academic theism from scholastic methods, speculative psychology and metaphysics towards Patristics, asceticism and personal experiences allows us to propose this movement as West-European Philosophy searches of the same period. Thus, V. I. Nesmelov sees the basis of any religious teachings in the experience of human cognition. M. M. Tareev draws up his own moral theology reading course based on the personal experience living the Gospel Book. Archimandrite Sergious (Stragorodsky) interprets the topic of finding salvation not against the background of the changes in God, but from the standpoint of the changes that occur in humanity. Bishop Theodore (Pozdeevsky), Archbishop Hilarion (Troitsky) and Bishop Barnabas (Belyaev) make known scholasticism as epistemological malice characterizing the specifics of theological knowledge necessary to base their intellectual efforts on the personal experience of the struggle against the passions; therefore, they see the new basis of theology in asceticism. Professor S. V. Troitsky considers marriage as the key problem for religion and philosophy of the early 20th century. Professor S. S. Glagolev sees the descent of a man as the crossing point of religion and science. The author mentions that despite some heterogeneity of the proposed concepts, there is an obvious General anthropological orientation that had an impact on the educational process changes in theological academies (seminaries). Scientific novelty. The author systemizes and sums up anthropologic views of the most recognizable ecclesiastical academics in the early 20th century. Representation and analysis of anthropologic problematics in philosophical and religious papers of the Russian ecclesiastical education stage of development signify essential agreement among Russian and Western sophists; they had been discussing the same problem – a human being. The author points out that their discussions were not absolutely the same, but it gives the reason to regard the anthropology of the early 20th century as modern Philosophy; and this difference allows academic anthropology to avoid classic and non-classic types of philosophy. Practical significance. The research outcomes can be used for further understanding development of the all European searching process of the early 20th century. Received by the author of the study findings provide its scientific innovation. The results of this study can be used in assessing the role of theological academies in European cultural processes and culture of the Russian society of the early 20th century; research findings can enrich the content of the lectures on the History of Philosophy, Russian History, European History, Cultural Studies and other Humanities (non-science disciplines).

The second part of the paper denotes the significant philosophical and pedagogical problems related to implementation of V. V. Davydov’s method of ascent from the abstract to the concrete, referred to as the basic concept of developmental education. Analyzing the potential and advantages of the above method along with the development technologies, the author gives the positive interpretation of traditional developmental education in the context of contemporary educational processes, and demonstrates its universality and thenecessity for further extension fare beyond the primary school limits. The paper contrasts the depth psychology, oriented on inner unconscious psychic processes and regarded as pedagogical basis (V. P. Zinchenko), and the vertex psychology focused on self-realization opportunities (L. S. Vygotsky, V. Frankl). The author regards the vertex psychology, addressing the spirit and intelligence, as the possible way out of educational crisis.The concept of developmental education aimed at fostering the students’ cognitive abilities and humanistic attitude can contribute significantly to the educational process.

The paper considers the complex of economic processes in the sphere of the higher vocational education. The research is aimed at investigating, clarifying and systemizing the theoretical concepts of entrepreneur- ship in the context of the knowledge economy and rising competitiveness in the market of scientific and educational services. The research methodology basis involves the works of domestic and foreign scholars in the fields of competitive development, entrepreneurship, quasi-markets theories and self- developing organizations. The paper presents the author’s interpretation of the university entrepreneurship as the integrated and systematic process generated by the dramatic changes of socio-economic development, increasing global trends of economy intellectualization, significant proportion of scientific and educational services, and increasing role of modernization in sustaining the state welfare and stability. The university entrepreneurship is regarded as a synthesis of creative, innovative, commercial and managerial activities in the market of scientific and educational services, labor market, industrial and financial markets. The interrelation of economic and social aspects of university business is revealed including the links between the government, universities, scientific educational institutions, business community, households and other subjects of educational service market. The application of the main theoretical principles of the research concerning the higher school business vector is demonstrated by the practical activity of the Russian Vocational Pedagogical University.

The paper is devoted to a comparative analysis of international developments in establishing the qualifications systems; the related experience of the European Union countries are examined along with the main trends of the European discourse. The author demonstrates the mechanisms, guaranteeing the international comparability and compatibility of qualifications, and credits accumulation and transfer in vocational and higher education. The special emphasis is placed on developing principles of the national qualifications framework regarded as a basis of qualifications systems, the importance of the state participation and regulation of the na- tional qualifications systems development, maintenance and coordination is pointed out. The paper describes different models of the end-users participation in the national qualifications system formation, including the general public, employers, education administrations and employment bodies.

The paper deals with the innovative educational concept of teaching the foreign languages to the senior university students. The research methodology is based on M. Bennett’s model of intercultural sensitivitydevelopment necessary for the gradual transformation of ethnocentrism into ethno-relativism. The development of students’ relativistic perception of national stereotypes is perceived by the author as an important factor of both the natural cognitive mechanism and intercultural communication. The author argues that relativistic perception of national stereotypes can be achieved by fostering the intercultural world outlook, and therefore recommends incorporating a relativistic world view component in educational content structure along with the traditional components of knowledge, skills, attitudes, motives, creative activity expertise, etc.The paper emphasizes three consequent educational modules of ethnodifferentiation, ethno-integration and ethno-relativity in the proposed methodological system. The gradual fulfillment of educational goals, relatedto the above modules, can ensure the transformation of students’ perception of national stereotypes at the cognitive, affective, and behavioral levels. The proposed educational concept, approbated in the GermanLanguage Department of Zabaykalsky State University in 2010 – 2013, along with the research data prove the effectiveness of the given method, and demonstrate a substantial development of students’ intercultural competence and a decline in the ethnocentrism level.

The paper deals with the issue of quality measurement and educational process outcomes. The author analyzes the structure of training and projecting activities of the prospective teachers-designers, and regards the given structure as the integral quality indicator of the specialist training in the above profile. The training project level can be estimated by examining students’ final qualification works. The paper demonstrates a set of indicators for estimating the quality of designing and training activities of the graduates. The implementation of the RUMM 2030 program and mathematical statistics tools based on the Rasch model of quality measurement is substantiated.The above method approbation regarding the estimation of the latent variables of training and designing activity of prospective vocational teachers demonstrates that the recommended quality criteria, referred to as indicators, can be used in the competence assessment of the future teachers-designers.

Whereas the competence approach has been implemented in the higher and secondary vocational educational establishments in CIS countries, its introduction to the school education is still lagging behind. Mean-while, in the school practice, there is an urgent need for the competence approach propagation intended to overcome the gaps between the national and European educational systems and develop the lifelong learning attitude.The paper presents the survey results targeting school teachers and concerning the competence approach implementation in schools of Kazakhstan. Teachers of different subjects with various records of service, and representing both the town and village schools were questioned. The survey reveals the main reasons for teachers’ negative attitude to competence-based ideas. In this context, the author recommends overcoming the identified adverse stereotypes by sensible combination of traditions and innovations.The paper outlines the main aspects to be considered while developing the tools for implementing the competence-based approach to school education, and gives a definition of the cognitive competence regarding it as an important characteristic of a school leaver.

Nowadays there is a growing demand for qualified engineers, researchers and developers with the information technology competence, and ability in self-development, self-perfection and self-knowledge; and thevariative higher education is needed for training such specialists. The paper describes the experience of Izhevsk State Technical University providing the opportunity for individual selection of educational curricula and independent Engineering Graphics training aimed at developing spatial imagination, capability of finding the constructive engineering solutions and analysis and synthesis of spatial forms. The possible individual educational directions are given including the professional, informational and research ones. The paper demonstrates the basic and variant module elements of the Descriptive Geometry and Engineering Graphics discipline, the competence formation levels of Engineering Graphics (basic, reconstructive and creative) being outlined along with the relatingestimation methods. The authors recommend the group expert estimation method for selecting individual educational curricula, competence oriented assessment means, and providing the high quality diagnostics.

The paper deals with the issues of human resources development and IT-staff training. The authors put a special emphasis on bringing the IT-staff training system in line with the labor market demands both in quantitative and qualitative terms. Based on the object-oriented approach, the authors explore the reasons behind the existing imbalance between the markets of IT-education services and IT-specialists in Azerbaijan, the challenges facing the IT education and specificity of the IT-specialists market being described.For overcoming the above gap between the IT labor market supply and demand, the authors put forward a model of professional competences, reflecting the real-life requirements for a specialist’s quality. Additionally, the paper outlines the recommended trends of IT-sector development in Azerbaijan, which include organization of innovative research and education centers for specialists’ training and retraining, legislative and institutional coordination of the IT industry and education, development of new educational standards, increase in the number of IT-profile students.

The paper is devoted to methodology problems concerning the higher art school training. The authors emphasize the role of academic drawing in educational process, its impact on developing the substantive perception and professional thinking of architects and designers, and the importance of fundamental assignments for the training quality assurance. The skill of academic graphics is a prime necessity for any artwork and architecture project. Both the designers and architects use the academic drawing asan instrument for convincing presentations of their concepts and plans. The developed skill of academic drawing can be achieved by means of the verified training techniques, given the adequate amount of time allocated for mastering the skill.The paper singles out the negative trends in modern designers and architects’ training: insufficient attention to the course of academic drawing in educational plans and curricula, ignoring the strict methodological sequence of academic assignments, violation of didactic principles, cutting down the academic hours, lack of psychological and pedagogical training received by the art teachers.In conclusion, the authors give a number of methodological recommendations that might be of interest to the curricula developers and teachers of the higher art schools, art faculties and departments.

The paper is devoted to systemizing the main theoretical approaches to classification, distribution and production of knowledge in the global economy. The author focuses on F. Machlup’s knowledge classification and the concept of useful knowledge by J. Mokyr.The interpersonal and public channels of communication and acquisition of knowledge are observed taking into consideration the total changes caused by transition from industrial to postindustrial economy. The paper provides a comparative analysis of the given model and alternative concepts of knowledge generation: finalization of science, strategic research, post-normal science, academic capitalism, post-academic science, and the triple helix concept. The author maintains that the current concepts of knowledge generation reflect the fact of transformation of modern institutional technical environment due to the global technological changes, and increasing contribution of knowledge to the economic development. Accordingly, the roles of the main participants of the given process are changing along with the growing integration of education and science, state and businesses.

The paper looks at the managerial resource values guaranteeing the effective functioning and development of any social institution. The main emphasis is on the asset management in educational sphere and optimizationopportunities of organizational processes. The human, logistical, technical, informational and time resources ofmanagerial activity are outlined and specified from the strategic perspective and effectiveness standpoint. The necessary criteria of a strategic resource are identified as the value, rarity, originality and indispensability. The author makes a conclusion about the priority of human resources in the value hierarchy of social organization in the era of information society. The paper demonstrates both the theoretical and practical ways and means of raising the effectiveness and efficiency of educational institutions, as well as the constant need for teacher’s training, retraining, and stimulation of self-education. The investment in human resources and motivating environment, aimed at developing the potential of academic staff and other employees of educational institutions, benefits both the managers and employees alike and leads to social partnership, harmony, and conciliation of economic and social interests within the organization.

The paper emphasizes the necessity of systemizing the pedagogic concepts to complement the pluralism principle dominating in pedagogy over the recent years. The author recommends the person oriented systematic synergetic methodology combining various research data into a holistic scientific approach. The paper regards education as the core pedagogic concept - including training, upbringing, self-education, their respective subcomponents, and generated personal resource. The elements of personal resource combine the acquired knowledge, skills and values, developed subjective attitudes and individual health data. The key pedagogic terms describing the educational process are represented by a three-level system; the first level involves the educational form concepts, the second – generated personal resource, the third – summarized notion system combining the previous levels and reflecting their binary relations. The given construct systemizes the pedagogic conceptual apparatus and clarifies the theoretical notion of personal education.

The paper is devoted to the scientific and educational cooperation of Russia and China. Over the last two decades it has developed dramatically due to the constant support of the countries’ leaders and resultedin a large number of agreements in scientific, technical, educational and cultural spheres. The partnership involves the joint research programs, training programs, scientific and educational activities, mutual support of academic mobility of teachers and students, international conferences, workshops, contests of innovative projects and students’ festivals. The research methodology combines general scientific methods of logicalcognition, analysis and synthesis, and statistic methods of selection, combination, comparison and generalization. The paper demonstrates the dynamics of Chinese students graduated in Russia from 1950 to 2013 and Russian students graduated in China in the last thirteen years, as well as therelated prognoses for 2020.The partnership between Russia and China in educational sphere has a strategic importance for economic stability and steady development of both countries in the nearest and distant future, given the globalization processes, complicated international situation, etc. However, there still remains a considerable potential for the reciprocal friendly cooperation in educational and cultural spheres. The author emphasizes a need for further exploration and development of the intellectual exchange mechanisms and effectiveness of the process.

The paper looks at the institutional and functional features of the artisan activities, and vocational training of future artisans- entrepreneurs; the specificity of career guidance in related training profiles is discussed. In the course of successful socio-economic development, the given specialists can form a considerable part of the Russian middle class strata. However, there exist the two opposite trends: on the one hand, the specialists realize the modern day requirements for vocational training and enrollee selection, while, on the other hand, the majority of the society regards the artisan occupations as common and primitive. This controversy signals the urgent need for vocational guidance addressed to the school leavers. The authors suggest using acmeology – the studies of the highest professional achievements – along with psychological facilitation and visual grounds for career guidance development. The paper is recommended to the secondary school teachers, vocational training teachers and sociologists analyzing and predicting the labor market demands.

The paper considers the issue of children preparation for school in so called starting schools. In author’s opinion, the arts disciplines such as music, drawing and choreography can develop the aesthetic sense, moral qualities, more optimistic world outlook and respectful attitude; the child develops creative skills and beauty perception both in fine arts and wild life.The author looks at the problems of planning and organizing the music training of preschool children, the different requirements for and concepts of the preschool and primary school normative documents being analyzed. The paper substantiates the effectiveness of poly-artistic and activity approaches to the split-level teaching, in particular – the method of projecting the familiar actions onto some sort of artistic activities. Based on the succession of preschool and primary school training, the author specifies the goals of music classes in starting schools, and outlines the most relevant game activities of role plays, didactic plays and contests.The paper is addressed to preschool and primary school teachers, music teachers, as well as methodologists and researchers dealing with preschool teaching.

The paper discusses the reorganization problems regarding the educational research sphere and based on the draft of the Modernization Concept of the Scientific Staff Higher Attestation System in the Russian Federation, which recommends some preventive measures to counteract the research imitations, incorrect borrowing and paraphrasing of well-known ideas. The first, or the normative regressive trend, implies the prescribed procedure frames and rigid regulatory forms concerning the publications, scientific reports and defense of the theses. The authors regard most of the above measures as necessary for filtering out the plagiarism and superficial works. However, the other trend - more important in their opinion - implies the development of the research methodology culture. The paper reveals the ten-year-experience of the Interregional Ural- Siberian Seminar on the Practical Methodology of Socio-Pedagogic Research, organized in Tumen State University. The twenty sessions of the given seminars included the lectures by leading specialists, master-classes and role plays (mini research defense), and involved all the research stages: selecting a theme, defining a research problem, and finally, a report preparation and presentation to the attestation comity. The authors make a conclusion concerning the educational research regulations aimed to balance the administrative statutory measures with systematic development of methodology culture and fostering the researchers’ social responsibility and creativity.

The paper investigates the urgent issue of education outcomes estimation in the higher school, and reveals the current approaches to solving the problem of level estimation regarding the particular competences and their components – the elements of disciplinary competences.The level model of the competence components formation and acquisition is recommended along with the computation method for weight estimation of disciplinary components by means of integral differential criteria of education outcomes assessment. The examples of and practical recommendations for the above method application are given. In authors’ opinion, implementation of the given model combined with available instrumental and methodological means can raise the quality of education based on the competence approach.The paper is addressed to university teachers, methodologists and education quality experts in vocational universities.

The paper discusses the controversial theoretical and practical aspects of vocational pedagogical education, its target orientation and distinction from the general pedagogical education. The authors propose the heuristic model of professional educational environment as the methodology basis for fostering the vocational teacher training; the model involves the synergy principle and includes the three coordinate vectors: human subjects of the above environment, continuing vocational education, and professional world. The paper provides the comparative paradigm analysis of traditional and innovative advanced education, and traces the logic of innovative achievements and their implementation in educational practice. The author regards the interdisciplinary education as the main factor improving the effectiveness of innovative education, and suggests the project method as a means for integrating the disciplines and developing the interdisciplinary competence. In conclusion, the author emphasizes the need for updating the vocational pedagogical education by consolidated efforts of scientists and practicing teachers.

The paper discusses the acute methodology problem: elicitation of the fundamental principle of modern education. In the course of retrospective analysis, the author attempts to trace the essence and comparative historical specificity of the principle in question, and find out whether the currently declared one actually corresponds with the society demands and time requirements.Consequently, the author singles out three successive historical types of education, each of them based on the respective ideological and methodological assumptions. The first one (the 17th – mid-19th century), based on the ontological system of the «Man and Nature», regards the man as a natural creature and proclaims a fundamental educational principle of adequacy to nature. The second type, formed by the end of the 19th century and based on the ontological system of the «Man and Society», takes the man as a social creature and puts forward a fundamental educational principle of adequacy to society. And finally, the multi-dimensional ontological system of the «ManNature-Culture-Society», developed in the mid-20th century, defines the man as a bio-socio-cultural creature and forms a basis for a new fundamental educational principle of adequacy to culture.The paper maintains that the principle of adequacy to nature corresponds with the classical period of education history; orientation on the social adequacy represents its non-classical stage; and consequently, the principle of cultural adequacy signifies the post-non-classical phase. In conclusion, the author argues that resumption of the initial educational principle of adequacy to nature can be regarded as moving backward.

The paper investigates the potential of the intelligent data processing tools presently implemented by economists, marketers and business analytics for solving the economic problems of synthesis and prognostication of financial processes based on quantitative and qualitative indicators.The adaptation of the above methods for pedagogical data processing and implementation in educational process can improve the education management quality and control. The paper presents the theoretical and practical aspects of the intelligent data analysis in pedagogy, the relevance of the problem being substantiated.The author looks at the origination and formation of the intelligent data analysis and gives the estimation examples of qualitative characteristics of teaching process, as well as the students’ personal characteristics based on the Data mining resources. The author recommends the ways for developing the patterns underlying the Data mining methods. The given approach in combination with the modern software tools can provide the data processing related to education management, i.e. pedagogical monitoring, identification of aspects affecting educational outcomes, early correction of educational department activities, etc.

The paper is devoted to the research and education network management regarded by the author as a dynamic set of interrelated agents – scientific, educational, social and cultural institutions including their units and creative teams, as well as innovative infrastructure elements and industrial enterprises anxious about educational system developments. The given network operates as a virtual organization and implements the innovative projects in educational sphere with the efficient objective coordination and resource integration achieved by creating the nationwide informational environment, which results both in collective intellectual property developments in the given sphere and the rise of the external effect.The author considers the essence of systematic synergetic approach applied to the educational system management, and observes the work experience of the research and education network of innovative educational institutions in the Ural region. The paper specifies the transition of educational institutions to the self-development mode on the principle of transparency and diversity. In this regard, the key network characteristics include: the expanding informational educational environment that makes it possible to describe the variety of horizontal and vertical interactions within the network; information that reveals the content of interactions in question; and the time demonstrating the logic of the network development. The main implementation outcomes of the innovative educational projects within the given network include fostering the academic staff’s innovative behavior and capability to operate effectively in situations of uncertainty.

The paper discusses basic implementation aspects of the Mathematical Education Development Concept, adopted by the Russian Government in 2013. According to the above document, the main problems of mathematical education include: low motivation of secondary and higher school students for studying the discipline, resulted from underestimation of mathematical knowledge; and outdated educational content, overloaded by technical elements. In the author’s opinion, a number of important new mathematical fields, developed over the last years, - the graph theory, discrete mathematics, encoding theory, fractal geometry, etc – have a large methodological and applied educational potential. However, these new subdisciplines have very little representation both in the secondary and higher school mathematical curricula. As a solution for overcoming the gap between the latest scientific achievements and pedagogical practices, the author recommends integration of the above mentioned mathematical disciplines in educational curricula instead of some outdated technical issues. In conclusion, the paper emphasizes the need for qualified mathematical teachers’ training for solving the problems of students’ motivation development and content updates.

The paper reveals the research findings concerning a complicated process of academic staff formation in the secondary school. The main determinants of the process include the discrepancy between the actual development level of academic staff and the existing requirements of pedagogic society. The author denotes the main motives for academic staff development: moral and financial incentives for professional growth, new educational tasks, unsatisfactory social status of educational institution, etc; and identifies the complex of objective and subjective conditions positively affecting the given process. According to the author, the main priority should be given to the methodological provision of academic staff, integration of their activity, and stimulation of informational, methodical, and organizational channels of school activity. In conclusion, the paper considers the principles of life-long teacher training, corporate cooperation, partnership and solidarity, and discusses the technological structure of academic staff development, based on the competence model of education.

The paper considers the problem of young people’s moral education with the reference to the system of secondary vocational education; the relevance of the study being enhanced by the greater independence of vocational college students compared to their high school peers. In addition, the paper describes the psychological and pedagogical difficulties in developing the moral norms, behavior principles, and life position in adolescence, when a mere moral declaration has little effect. Taking into consideration the students’ psychological and age characteristics, the authors suggest the active methods of dialogical interactions and recommend the system of ethical education and culture studies based on a differentiated understanding of specificity of the domestic moral culture, and axiological analysis of its educational potential. The multi-variant moral norms coexisting in modernRussiainclude the traditional, aristocratic, pragmatic and other types of values; all of them can be introduced in the series of educational discussions. The paper lists the approximate topics for such ethical and cultural debates, and demonstrates the expected effect of students’ moral self-assessment related to their life position and behavior patterns. The recognized moral values are likely to make a foundation for the students’ proper behavior both in college and in their future work.

The paper analyzes a widely discussed problem of the negative health dynamics of the growing generation, and points out the necessity of complex consideration of all the factors adversely affecting children’s health. The special emphasis is on the fallowing harmful factors: intensification of training process; discrepancy between the applied training methods and techniques on the one side, and children’s age, sex and functional specifics and capabilities on the other side; shortcomings in organizing children’s physical activities; limitations of the expositive illustrative methods for developing the healthy lifestyle habits. The other group of factors is related to the teaching style and professional characteristics of the teachers. They include the common practice of «stress» tactics; incompetence in health saving technologies; personal indisposition and psychological drawbacks. The situation is exacerbated by the absence of psychologists and pediatricians in educational institutions. The multilevel approach to solving the problems of students’ health preservation and promotion involves the elicitation of objective, subjective, inschool and out-of-school health determining factors. The paper denotes the actual ways of children’s health preservation at the level of related ministries, departments, and educational institutions.

The paper aims at drawing the attention of teaching community to the health promoting potential of music making disregarded nowadays by educational establishments. The traditional musical education focused mainly on musicology leads to artificial intellectualization, and leaves no room for chil-dren's imagination, intuition, creativity, joyful feelings and activities.The author discusses the specificity of the music teaching concept, developed by Carl Orff and his followers, and based on the complex understanding of human nature, history, living conditions, and corresponding with genetic laws. On the one hand, the music-making involves consideration of the learners' psychological features and individual propensities, and on the other hand, it has a syncretic effect on the main psychological and physiological functions including communication, speech, motion, etc. As the result, it resists the hypodynamia and fatigue, and promotes health.The paper reveals the experience of the Music Education Department in the Institute of Psychology and Pedagogy of Tumen State University, providing specializations in the Elemental Music-Making in Educational Process and Health Saving Potential of Music Teaching. The outcomes of the practical seminars and experimental teaching in the Primary School № 3 in Pytyah Town of Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Region confirm the author’s theory of the positive emotional impact of music-making on the learning and health saving activities.

The paper looks at the problems facing the art teachers and resulted, in the author’s opinion, from separation of the content and functional side of the subject. The other problem is the lack of insight regarding social behavior, forms of consciousness and perception (including the spatial and temporal ones) underlying all sorts and forms of art. The paper demonstrates the interrelations between the history of arts and education history considered in terms of development and fixation of various forms of social consciousness. The audiovisual syncretism is regarded as the nature of perception and world reflection at specific historical stages of human knowledge and creativity development. Both the history of arts and education include the content and procedure related aspects. The whole history of pedagogy involves the procedure improvements (methods, means, forms, etc.) along the way «from integration to differentiation, and backwards»; and on the other side, it incorporates the invariable educational content. Likewise, throughout the history of arts we can trace the procedural aspect developments and the existence of the “eternal” content related to personality upbringing.

The paper considers one of the main theoretical and practical pedagogical problems of education quality assessment. The quality measurement depends on successful identification of genuine (scientific) and false diagnostic methods; the process becomes more complicated in case of latent variables. As a solution, the authors recommend the Rasch measurement model for identifying an integral indicator of education quality. The method in question involves designing, approbation and analysis of diagnostic materials, as well as mathematical and statistical data processing based on specialized computer software. The paper describes the advantages and theoretical potential of the Rasch method, and emphasizes its capacity for solving the key problem of quality modeling – i.e. suitability and utility of the indicator variables for the given research.

The paper is devoted to the urgent issue of moral personality formation in the framework of the modern education system. Both the society and education specialists are concerned about the unsatisfactory moral education of the growing generation. For solving the problem of moral revival, the author considers the Russian pedagogical heritage – particularly, the philosophical and publicistic works of F. M. Dostoyevsky and L. N. Tolstoy. The paper provides the modern definition of spirituality as the intellectual essence of the human being, based both on the deep knowledge of nature, society, human individuality and humanistic or religious values outweighing the selfish needs. In author’s opinion, the pedagogical concepts developed by Dostoyevsky and Tolstoy are still relevant, being aimed at developing the free personality and addressing the universal human values. The ideas and concepts of the 19th century’s outstanding thinkers perfectly correspond with the currently proclaimed educational content: they define the man as the highest society value; direct all the principles and parenting practices of spiritual and ethic education at creativity development, self-development, and self-improvement; and acknowledge a student’s individuality.

The paper looks at the educational activities of the Russian Orthodox Church in Western Siberia from the late 19th to the mid-20th century. The analysis of archival material reflects the foundation, development and evolution of parish schools in Western Siberia; the activity of the eparchy inspectors and parish school boards being outlined. The main emphasis is on the Tomsk eparchy – the regional leader in successful primary school development in Western Siberia. For many Russian citizens then, the parish schools were the only available educational institutions. In Western Siberia, the ascetic enlightening activity of the clergymen had a great impact on raising the literacy level; the process being complicated by the vast territories, remoteness of the settlements, and lack of local schools. The research demonstrates the parallel evolution of the parish and civil education, however, the former one was always ahead in many aspects. The competition between the two systems stimulated new effective educational methods and teacher training processes, and contributed a lot to the Russian primary education development. The paper might be of interest to the experts in education and church history, and local historians

The paper discusses one of the urgent social problems - the discrepancy between the vocational education and labor market demands. Nowadays, apart from the necessary knowledge and skills, the college leavers should be able to meet the challenges of life – i.e. update the acquired information, establish necessary contacts, deal with multilevel nonstandard problems. For solving the above problem, the authors recommend a dual educational system, integrating the theoretical and practical courses and based on the training facilities of educational institutions and industrial enterprises. The given model is regarded as the most effective one for developing students’ potential and guaranteeing their adaptation to the work place. Due to the close interaction between the educational institutions and employers, the dual system can provide a successful psychological and professional integration of future specialists. In conclusion, the paper discusses the experience of Pervouralsk Metallurgical College implementing the duel system aimed at vocational training of qualified and competitive specialists.