FEATURES OF INTEGRATING VIRTUAL SIMULATORS INTO THE EDUCATIONAL PROCESS

Abstract

In the contemporary educational environment, an important task is the improvement of the learning process, ensuring educational accessibility, and the development of interactive teaching forms. This article explores the relevance and prospects of using virtual simulators in higher education, particularly in the context of distance and electronic learning. Increasing demands for the quality of education and the rapid development of information technologies necessitate blended and interactive learning, making the study of the features of integrating virtual simulators into the educational process an exceptionally important task. The article addresses the issue of assessing the performance of remote laboratory work, which becomes relevant in the absence of the instructor’s personal control over task completion. Additionally, it highlights the importance of the reliability of data generated by students in virtual simulators and the danger of inaccuracies in determining the level of material mastery and evaluation. A separate aspect of the article is dedicated to the selection and use of software for creating and managing virtual simulators. Examples of such programs, including Labster, SimScale, ANSYS, LabVIEW, and TeachVR, are discussed as successful tools already used in higher education to enhance learning and student development. It is important to consider not only the technical characteristics of the programs but also their impact on the learning and development process. Special attention is given to the question of effectively integrating virtual simulators into the educational process, particularly within learning management systems such as Moodle, Blackboard, or Canvas. The authors examine key requirements for virtual laboratory work, such as realism, adaptability, interactivity, collaboration, and ensuring safety and ethics. The general conclusions of the article underscore the importance of considering curriculum plans and course programs when integrating virtual simulators, as well as the necessity of supporting instructors and students during the implementation of new technologies into the educational process. Overall, the article highlights the advantages and challenges of using virtual simulators in higher education and provides recommendations for their successful integration into the learning process.