Forming master's degree students’ ICT competencies as future researchers and educators: a Kazakhstan case study

Introduction. This article analyses the structure of the information and communication technology competence (ICTC) of Master’s students in Kazakhstan, including subject, research, and pedagogical components. It defines the status of ICTC formation at the present stage of our information society development. At this work the authors try to determine the ICTC level of the second year Master’s students and analyze the received data in the course of the experiment. Materials and Methods. The research was carried out on the basis of a specially designed survey. The aim of the survey of Master’s Degree students was to study the user activity, reveal their ICT usage in the subject area, educational and research activities during their postgraduate studies. Results. According to the experimental results the majority of Master’s degree students in Kazakhstan have low level of ICTC but their user activity in the ICT field is very high. It is extremely important to mention that level of research and educational competence of the ICTC of Master’s Degree students is lower than the subject matter aspects which have an impact on their research and educational activity. In a trial run the authors found out that the existing organization of research and educational activity of Master’s Degree students is not effective enough. Absence of feedback and lack of managerial control leads to the fact that the masters do not have a full picture of the potential of ICT in research and teaching activities. The authors observe that this situation is justified by the fact that the activities are not organized in a specially allotted time to practice pedagogical skills and competences (during students` teaching) and research competences during the passage of research practice and management of research work of graduates. Conclusions. The article concludes that one of the most effective tools to improve the work with graduate students in the field of scientific research, teaching and research practices are blended learning technology, integrated into a virtual-educational university environment.