The problems of information technologies effectiveness in humanities education

Abstract

An impact of information technologies on high education in social and humanitarian sciences is considered. An analysis of modern teaching and assessment methods and means is given in a context of social challenges and signals of diminished interest in fundamental knowledge, over-formalization requirements for high education, application of existing tools of e-learning and assessment. It is pointed out that existing information and computer technologies and tools are not sufficient in terms of depth and qualities of assessment process, are weak in assisting of ideological understanding, do not help in formation of logic reasoning, understanding of cause-consequence dependencies, abilities of presenting results of one’s own thinking, assisting in improvement of argumentative skills and finding solutions. The limitations of electronics books use are also explained. Arguments are given in favour of importance of teacher’s roles such as mentor, leader, who indicates directions and corrects actions during knowledge delivery, the process of education and behaviour formation. Further improvement of methods of assessment using information and computer technologies is described as an interdisciplinary issue. The solution of this problem is possible only by consolidated efforts of scientists and lecturers from various knowledge domains, taking into account features and differences of disciplines and individual abilities of knowledge formation. A problem of efficiency improvement for information technologies application in humanitarian and social sciences is described. It’s shown that adaptation and redevelopment of system software to address cognitive and behavioural goals are required; in turn, modernization of learning and methodological education schemes should be based on the principles of inheritance, consistency, and social-cultural dependence.