Using graphic programming tools in technical science student’s education

Abstract

The article is devoted to practical aspects of using graphic programming tools in the educational process, and, particularly, to their application for performing laboratory classes in technical disciplines.
The unpredictable rapid changing in conditions for providing education process due to coronavirus restrictions have required a new manner of how to conduct teaching in remote mode. This task urgently required to be resolved in the short term. But there were no published sources that contain practical advises and described real experience how to do this. Thus, the presented article is an attempt to close this gap. Due to results presented in the article this task could be resolved by using graphic programming languages that opens a field of possibilities for students in using models to explore properties of a real object by means of simulation of the virtual analog. It is argued the selection of programming system, the variations of beginning lessons are considered, the experience in using such system as Simulink is revealed. The advantages and disadvantages of the selected system are indicated from the point of view of its application to the educational process. There are some recommendations for building the sequence of laboratory classes on the base of graphic programming tools. In the beginning these models could be developed preliminary and delivered for students to explore them and then, with more students’ experience and skills, the models could be created by students themselves. The real experience obtained during on-line education phase demonstrates that this approach increases students’ interest for learning and accelerate the educational process. One more conclusion is that virtual laboratory classes as well as all other achievements in using remote mode of education should be implicated in the educational process when it returns to conventional mode of functioning.