Development of cultural values of junior school children by online excursions

Education is one of the strongest means which is capable of bringing about the desired change in society, it is helpful in developing a generation of virtuous individuals. Thus in this way, education helps in contributing to the development of good human beings.

Millennials, or Generation Y, the age group loosely defined as being born between 1980 and 2000, have grown up during a time of technological and economic disruption. They are also the first generation of digital natives – many do not remember life without the internet.

Technology has not only shaped the way they live and work, but also created a whole new set of beliefs. These values, in turn, will affect their approach to the global challenges and opportunities that lie ahead [8].

Family,schools and teachers are the most important setting for children. They spend the most time and form their most emotional bonds. When children grow up, their interactions grow. Parents, teachers, extended family, work, supervisors and legislators can raise children together by fostering societal attitudes. Our children will be profound if we work in harmony, hand-in-hand; and provide them with a community that cares and supports one another [7]. Children spend an incredible amount of time in school. School and school culture have a great impact on students’ moral development. According to Shumaker and Heckel most children are more receptive to the information imparted upon them by teachers (compared with parents) [5].

One of the important values in the modern world is culture. If we consider the terms culture and values according to Webster’s dictionary they have the following meanings:

• a)    culture (n.) is:

• –    «the totality of socially transmitted behavior patterns , arts, beliefs, institutions, and all other products of human work and thought;

• –    these patterns, traits, and products considered as the expression of a particular community , period, class, or population;

• –    the predominating attitudes and behavior that characterize the functioning of a group or organization» [5].

• b)    values (n.) is:

• –    «beliefs of a person or social group in which they have an emotional investment (either for or against something)» [5].

Culture is defined as all of a group's guiding values and outward signs and symbols taken together as one big whole. Culture values are the characteristics and knowledge of a particular group of people, defined by everything from language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music and arts [3].

The value sphere includes such components as cognitive, emotional and actionable. At the junior school age (1-2 Forms), emphasis should be placed on the development of the emotional and cognitive component of the value sphere (Elkonin D.B.) [1].

The main methods of development of cultural values include: conversation, story, reading books, trips to museums (theaters, exhibitions, etc.), project activities etc. The society of the XXI century tend to live in two dimensions: real and virtual. A new dimension increasingly attracts people of all ages and statuses, opening huge opportunities for global socialization, high-speed search and information exchange, distance learning and interactive learning. In the educational process, it is necessary to introduce new information technologies. It should be noted that one of the options for using new information technologies and one of the modern methods of developing cultural values in the educational process is anonline excursion [4].

Online excursion is a source of obtaining new knowledge about the features of the objects presented. It:

• –    provides an effective way of learning;

• –    makes children smarter;

• –    gives an opportunity to see the great cultural achievements of one's own country;

• –    inspires children;

• –    allows children to get acquainted with the cultural diversity of different countries;

• –    contributes to the creation of positive emotions by visual immersion in beauty culture.

By subject all excursions can be divided into the following groups :

• –    familiarization with the diversity of the organic world, observation of phenomena of nature in different seasons;

• –    orientation on the terrain, familiarization with the forms of the earth surface, minerals of their locality;

• –    ecological excursions to study the adaptation of organisms to the habitat, different types of community resources, acquaintance with the natural wealth of their land and problems environmental protection;

• –    excursions to the museum of local lore, exhibitions.

From November 2016 to January 2017some online excursions were held for junior school children (Tyumen, School number 5, 2nd form) toMoscow State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow Planetarium, Madam Tussaud's Museumin London,St.Petersburg's State Russian Museum, Yalta Zoo, US National Museum of Natural History and Museum of Folk History and Architecture.

The study showed that the level of development of the value of culture by cognitive and emotional components after a series of online excursions became higher. Consequently, online excursion contributes to the development of cultural values of junior school children.

The conduct of any online excursion or activity should take into account the following: definition of a component for development; the setting of an educational purpose; determining the content of the online excursion and the means of its implementation; organization process; reflection of activity.

It is important to think through and designs competently work with the chosen version of the online excursion to get the maximum result. It is expediently to use various tasks, for example: to continue the sentence in meaning; to solve the crossword after viewing; prepare comments; describe your emotions after a visit; fill in individual cards; write an essay; express and justify your opinion after a visit; voice an episode; prepare your online excursion etc.

The development of cultural values is important for each individual. It is necessary to consider cultural values in conjunction with individual values. Cultural values attest us about the context that an individual comes from. A person’s upbringing is an important determinant of their beliefs and behaviours, and a person’s culture is a big part of their upbringing [2].

Every person should know that he is surroundedby beauty and cultural values. Everyone is obliged to take an active part in the preservation of culture.

Virtual excursions enhance students’ learning by providing the opportunities for students to participate in curriculum-related activities outside the normal school routine that aim to maximize students’ learning experiences.