To the Issue of Netiqette in the Modern Educational Process of Institution of Higher Education in the Context of Foreign Language Teaching

Abstract

Introduction. The development of information technologies, the need to move to blended or distance learning and digitalization of education have caused considerable increasing of online communication and interaction between students and teachers of higher education institutions recently. The introduction of netiquette in the educational process of a modern higher education institution in general and in the practice of learning foreign languages in particular becomes more and more relevant. Many educators, including foreign language teachers, continue to use online tools of communication that have proven to be effective in blended or distance learning format. One of such tools for foreign language teachers is found to be mobile applications for instant messaging, or messengers.

The purpose of the paper is to summarize the experience gained in the introduction of netiquette and the use of messengers in the context of teaching foreign languages in higher education institutions of Ukraine. Learning the netiquette and its introduction into educational process in this context is considered as one of the ways to avoid violations and use modern materials when teaching foreign languages. The following research methods as a survey, method of analysis and synthesis of scientific and methodological literature and survey results are used.

Results. The approaches of scientists to the culture of communication of participants in the educational process, interpreting the concept of "netiquette", the use of messengers in higher education and teaching of foreign languages in particular are covered. The results of the survey dedicated to the use of messengers in the educational process in which seventy two foreign language teachers from thirteen institutions of higher education of Ukraine took part are analyzed. Using messengers in the educational process was found to be quite common in the practice of teaching foreign languages both in terms of classroom management and as a learning tool. Despite the popularity, convenience and certain advantages of using messengers, there are some negative situations that can be considered as violations of netiquette. The reasons for students' violations may be lack of knowledge about netiquette rules, insufficient level of development of digital competence and practice of online communication in the educational environment. The introduction of netiquette guidelines at the beginning of a foreign language course can help teachers prevent violations. However, topics related to netiquette in the foreign language course in domestic higher education institutions are not sufficiently studied.

Originality. The scientific originality of the research results is based on the fact that learning and introduction of netiquette has not been considered in the context of teaching foreign language yet. Despite netiquette is a part of digital competence, it has not received sufficient coverage in methodology of teaching foreign languages.

Conclusion. The research has shown that the study of netiquette rules in a foreign language course can contribute to development of students' digital competence on the basis of modern language material. The development and establishment of netiquette guidelines to prevent its violations is appropriate in terms of methods of organizing the educational process in foreign languages, taking into account the increase of its online part in modern conditions.