THE USE OF E-LEARNING METHODS IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEACHING OF TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Nowadays, educational process is experiencing a period of transition from traditional synchronous methods of learning which take place in the classroom to asynchronous ones that can be applied at any place and/ or time and can be presented as distance or e-learning. For studying foreign languages modern students apply a wide range of electronic media which help them to get immersed in the language environment developing their skills, increasing motivation and gaining professional experience. E-learning facilitates students to select their personal educational path making them more motivated, autonomous and self-disciplined. The article considers asynchronous education as a perspective method of professional training; the main advantages and disadvantages of this form of education are discussed as well. The authors consider the experience of using the educational platform SKIF designed in Don State Technical University that is widely used in foreign language teaching for students of engineering specialties. It is based on the Moodie electronic open learning platform designed to create personalized learning environments. This platform is web-based and can be accessed from anywhere in the world. SKIF educational platform (skif.donstu.ru) was developed and introduced in Don State Technical University, Rostov-on-Don, Russia, a decade ago and proved to be successful. SKIF system is a module complex supporting electronic education with the use of distance technologies. Being the teachers of foreign languages, the authors of this article regularly use this platform for testing the students' language skills as well as for studying on the programs for improving their professional proficiency. The main problem facing the teachers who work with this platform is connected with the actual content of the educational materials placed on this system.