Implementation of academic elective chess courses during pandemic

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Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Associate Professor I.V. Mikhaylova1

Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Associate Professor A.I. Alifirov1

1Russian State Social University, Moscow

Key words: chess, distance learning, forms and means of education.

Abstract.The article discusses provision of training in the context of chess elective courses launched at the university during the pandemic. The article gives the details of basic and specific forms of distance learning, and provides system of integrated monitoring of studentsand didactic means used in the learning process. A distance-learning system (DLS) developed in higher education institutions is unable to effectively solve a problem of comprehensive training and allow integrated monitoring in educational program when special chess competences are being developed. Intensification of learning processes, verification and processing of large volumes of information are specific foronline chess trainingat the university. Possibilities of saving and fixing the achieved level of competence in chess education and sports on servers and portals, allow informatively and quickly to develop individual learning pathways. Electronic forms, innovative means and methods of distance learning allow realization of mechanisms for development of general and special competences of students inChess Elective Courses launched at the university during the pandemic.

Introduction.Today, any distance-learning resources on various platforms and online services are becoming popular and relevant in the light of COVID-19 coronavirus infection pandemic announced by the World Health Organization and self-isolation of university students. However, the system of distance learning (DLS) developed in higher education institutions is not able to effectively solve the problem of comprehensive training and allow integrated monitoring in educational program when special chess competences are being developed.

About 1000 students have been trained atthe elective courses in physical education and sports, Chess Group, for 3 years (6 semesters) at the Russian State Social University. The program includes 6 sections (modules), 32 hours per semester. In addition, for special needs students in physical education Master's degree (adaptive physical education), an electronic educational content has been developed in the optional part of curriculum, and 3 courses are offered to choose from: "Technologies and teaching methods forplaying sports (chess)", "Fundamentals of adaptive chess", "Practical basics of chess".

Purpose of the study is to identify the optimal organizational forms, means and methods of distance learning in Chess Elective Courses at the university during the pandemic.

Results and their Discussion.In addition to work within the university distance-learning system, some standard and specific informative distance-learning forms and means of teaching and monitoring are used. Their detailed content:

  • Teaching in the Skype, Zoom application.
    These applications allow the coach to broadcast sample games on the screen in demo mode, analyze typical positions, and present the material through audio-visual channel. The only disadvantage of this type of training is the imperfect feedback, namely the inaccessibility for students to move pieces on the board.
  • Using the resources ofChess PlanetPortal.
    The Chess Planet Portal regularly hosts lectures by leading Grandmaster teachers, online and offline, free of charge and by subscription. This Internet portal, being one of the largest play area in the world, can be recommended for chess players from the 1st category and higher, as well as for game practice of the beginners.
  • Self-training on the chess.com and chessKing.com platforms.
    Peculiarity of Internet resources chosen for individual stages and chess game elements training - opening, tactics, strategy, middlegame and endgame, shall be the available web interface, with the possibility of additional installation on gadgets. These technical conditions allow you to select individual learning pathways at any free time, with the mentor’s participation in the training process limited to checking in the remote access mode.
  • Competitive practice at the playing areas playchess.com, chess.com, chessclub.com, chess24.com, lichess.com
    Most playing areas provide and delegate the free of chargerights to chess clubs, organizers, and regional chess federationsto hold tournaments and competitions, which is extremely popularduring the pandemic. For example, a friendly match between Molodezhka Russian club and the Italian chess team was held on Lichess platform on April 11-12 under the motto "Chess against COVID-19". The highly professional play of the participants and high-quality streaming of grandmasters-commentators provided good media coverage of the tournament and united our countries.
  • Online chess solutions on learn.chessking.com and lichess.org servers.
    These servers provide the opportunity to participate in solving tactical tasks from portal developers or upload your own package of tasks to be solved in a group. The coach sees the number of solution attempts, keeps statistics of successful solutions for the group and for each student individually.

Conclusion. Electronic forms, innovative means and methods of distance learning allow implementation of mechanisms for development of general and special competencies of students in Chess Elective Courses at the university during the pandemic.

References.

  1. Mikhaylova, I.V. Pedagogical Concept of Technical and Tactical Training of Persons with Disabilities in Chess Sport / I.V. Mikhaylova // Chelovek. Sport.Meditsina. – 2019. – Т. 19.– № 4. – С. 111–116. DOI: 10.14529/hsm190413.