INNOVATIONS IN EDUCATION: COMPETENCY-BASED APPROACH

Abstract

Based on the competence approach, the article examines a number of regulatory documents in the field of education for the presence of an innovative component, namely: standards of higher education in the specialty 035 “Philology” at the bachelor’s and master’s levels, the State Standard of Basic Education, educationalprofessional and work programs, the concept of the New Ukrainian schools, the National Qualification etc. A certain inconsistency in the trend of introducing innovations in education was established due to the partial absence of an innovative component in the specified documents at some levels of the educational system is revealed. The need for revision/correction of the specified documents in the field of education is substantiated. In addition, a short theoretical excursion was conducted regarding the concepts of “innovation’ and “competence approach”. The key importance of the formation of an innovative person is determined. The concepts that form the methodological basis for the implementation of the competence approach in the educational system are called competence, competency and competence approach. The connection between the concepts lies in the fact that competence is defined as the result of acquiring competencies. Competence combines social, communicative and professional skills. It was found that the transition to the competence approach means shifting the emphasis from the accumulation of normatively defined knowledge, abilities and skills to the formation and development of the ability to act practically. The analysis of international educational projects aimed at the assessment of innovative competence shows the need to significantly improve the quality of training of specialists in Ukraine. Employers are not satisfied with the level of professional training of young specialists and note the low level of their practical skills. It was found that the purpose of the educational and professional program of the second level of higher education is to train highly qualified competitive specialists capable of innovation, while innovation is not expected at the first level of higher education. The analysis of individual educational programs in Ukraine showed significant gaps in the field of their innovativeness. It was determined that the creation, mastering and implementation of innovations in education, the presence of changes in the educational system in general depend on the general state educational strategy aimed at innovating the educational sector. It was found that, despite the existing potential of domestic education and the innovative direction of Ukraine, there are problems in the process of training specialists at the national level, as well as the inconsistency of the innovation strategy.