Nurmuhamedova T.K. Senior Teacher.

Kazakhstan, Kostanay state university named after Baitursynov.A

Project method`s influence at professional development of engineering students in Kostanay state university.

Analyzing a theory and practice formation history of project based learning, we can conclude that in domestic pedagogy this method was considered as:

- A comprehensive exercise of mind and development of thinking (P.F.Kapterev);

- Development of creative abilities (P.P.Blonskii);

- Development of self-reliance and self-preparation of students for working life (S.T.Shatsky);

- Preparing students for professional work (A.S.Makarenko);

- Fusion of theory and practice in teaching (E.G.Kaganov, M.V.Krupenina, V.V.Ignatev, V.N.Shulgin);

- Creative self-realization of the student: his intellectual and physical abilities, willpower and creativity in the process of creating new products and services, that have subjective or objective novelty with practical significance (V.D.Simonenko, M.V.Retivyh, N. V.Matyash);

- Practical application for existing knowledge and for self-education (I.D.Chechel).

Project-based learning is a learning system in which students get knowledge and skills by planning and implementation of different practical tasks, i.e projects.

Research was conducted in two stages.

Objectives of the 1st stage:

- Identification of student`s professional interests;

- The level professional plans formation;

- The level of professional knowledge;

- Diagnostics of professional interests, inclinations and their level of development.

According to goals there were chosen methods:

 1. Questionnaire which detects career interests and inclinations of students.

 2. Questionnaire, which shows a level of student`s knowledge on studied profession and their attitude to it.

This technique also allows getting information about possible mismatch between the inclinations to certain profession and how working conditions of profession corresponds to student`s expectations (i.e. the level of claims). Throughout learning process, teaching in experimental groups was conducted by using method of projects. Students chose their own theme of project, worked and presented at the end of learning process. Some of projects were individual, some were collective. In control groups teaching was carried out by traditional methods during whole period. An objective of 2nd stage was to identify dynamics:

 - Development of professional interests and professional plans of students;

 - Development of ideas about studied profession.

 Results analysis of first stage showed that significant difference in level of professional interest formation, aptitudes, and professional plan between students of control and experimental groups were not found.

At the second stage of research there was found that students of experimental groups significantly increased interest in studying of profession.

In common, experimental group had 4.9 points, while the sample of control groups was 4.0 points. Highest interest growth of student was observed in "Agrotehservice" and "Electric Power" groups. The experimental group showed a positive dynamics of professional intentions, 64.02% of students in these groups would like to work according to studied specialty. Same indicator in control group was 46.9%.

Remarkably, that experimental group students more appreciated value of acquired knowledge by profession, 91% of them responded that it will be useful for them in the future, and only 1.3% said that it will not. Control group had 73.8% of positive answer, and 2.6% of negative answer.

Important task of "Occupational Safety" discipline is not only giving theoretical knowledge and practical skills, but also helping students to shape their own professional plans, enhancing their professional development. Remarkably, that ability to analyze conditions, to target a task, to consider various options for solving a problem, to be able make study, i.e. qualities, which are essential during implementation of project, at the same time it helps students to solve life's problems.

Total dynamics of project influence level at professional development of engineering university students, %

Thus, students of experimental group showed more dynamics improvement than the control group students. Research results also show that project method is an effective tool not only for intellectual, but also for a personal development of students in educational activity, that is basis of successful adaptation to future career.

In addition, analysis of academic performance indicators showed that interest stimulation to studied profession has a positive impact on improving of knowledge quality.

This significantly intensifies process of professional development. The majority of students at the end of school year have wholly or partly formed professional plan and intention to work in the future according to studied major.

References

1. Ilyasov I.I, Galatenko N.A. Study course projecting on a subject. Teacher Manual. - M .: Logos, 1994. - 208 p.

2. Pichugina I.V, Serikov G.N. Projecting of educational process as a system. Tutorial. -Chelyabinsk Univ of South Ural State University, 2003 - 76p.