An e-course based on the LMS MOODLE to teach "Maritime English for professional purpose"

Abstract

"Maritime English for professional purpose" e-course based on the LMS MOODLE was created in accordance with the requirements of modern society for the formation of communicative English competence of future maritime industry workers. Our research is devoted to the description and analysis of the work of the future maritime specialists in the e-course. One of the main elements of the course is the Forum (the exchange of questions, answers, messages etc., leaving the message, or creating questions). It is the forum that provides a two-way communication between a teacher and the cadets. The course also contains some elements of gamification (badges, games, Easter eggs, leaderboard, points etc.). Educational content is provided using a system of elements, which greatly enhance the motivation of students to study. QR code quest (a maritime subject chain of activities using two-dimensional code) helps students to find the necessary information, analyze it, organize it, solve tasks etc. Prezi's presentations have additional depth and context, increase students’ motivation to learn. The Quizzes of our course correspond to six levels of Bloom's taxonomy (knowledge, understanding, application, analysis, synthesis and evaluation). The Gradebook has a clear structure: two types of tests, language competencies and additional points in a limited number. In our study, we have produced statistics on the leaders and outsiders of e-course, a comparative description of the groups studying in the course. As a result of our research it was proved that LMS MOODLE e-courses have a potential educational opportunity as an effective means for forming the foreign professional competence of future seafarers. Interactive exercises bring cadets closer to the real-life communication in the absence of a natural linguistic environment and can be used as part of the system of formation of foreign professional competence of future maritime specialists. It was also proved that the system of blended learning helps to master the English language faster and more easily.