Investigating effectiveness of teaching foreign students with the use of e-learning technologies (Russian experience)

Abstract

In the global learning environment, education using distance learning technologies has become more essential and increasingly popular. The realization of international e-learning projects is considered as a complex process which includes specific pedagogical, technological, organizational aspects. This study describes the designing an e-learning project (main stages), author’s view at e-learning environment and its components, conditions for ensuring effective e-learning. The study queried 82 Malagasy students who were enrolled in an online course «Russian Language». The project was conducted at Kazan Innovative University named after V.G. Timiryasov with the support of Fund «Russian World» while the students were learning «at a distance» being in Madagascar and using the integrated system Moodle and Open Meetings in a special equipped classroom. The final results showed that the implementation of conditions mentioned above enhanced the effectiveness of e-learning projects and all the indicators of effectiveness (level of quality of knowledge, level of socio-cultural competence, level of intercultural competence, applying valuable skills and knowledge in study and professional activity). On the control stage of experiment the number of students with «high level» of knowledge increased by 10 %, those with «high» level of socio-cultural competence - by 15 %. The level of intercultural competence increased by 15 %. Students started to effectively use skills knowledge in their professional activity. The author proved the effectiveness of e-learning project.