Professional Competence of College Teachers: her Contribution to the Formation of skills of Social Interaction Skills Among Students of Inclusive Groups

Introduction. The article deals with the theoretical and methodological aspect of professional development of teachers of secondary vocational education. The analysis of the practice of colleges has revealed problems related to methodological support regulating the work of teachers in inclusive groups, insufficient level of professional competence of some teachersin the issues of psychological and pedagogical support of special students, difficulties in the organization of work on the formation of skills of social interaction among students of inclusive groups, etc. The analysis of the practice of colleges has revealed problems related to the methodological support regulating the work of teachers in inclusive groups. In thescientific literature, there is a lack of research on the topic of professional competence of college teachers; in particular, the issue of the influence of the level of competence of teachers on the formation of social interaction skills of students is clearly insufficiently covered. Objective. To study the professional competence of college teachers in the issues of formation of social interaction skills among students of inclusive groups and to develop the content of the professional development program for teachers. Materials and methods. The study used diagnostic procedures aimed at studying the professional competence of college teachers in the formation of social interaction skills among students of inclusive groups: questionnaire, informal conversation, observation of classes, adapted methods “Assessment of pedagogical culture of a teacher” (E. V. Bondarevskaya, T. F. Belousova)“Barriers in pedagogical activity”, “Assessment of teacher’s readiness for professional and pedagogical self-development” (N. P. Fetiskin, V. V. Kozlov, G. M. Manuilov). Results. The experiment has shown that teachers have an insufficient level of professional competence in the issues of formation of social interaction skills in students of inclusive groups. The authors developed a program to improve the professional competence of college teachers. As a result of its mastering, teachers expanded their understanding of the psychological characteristics of students with special educational needs and mastered the methods and techniques of organizing effective social interaction of students of inclusive groups. Discussion. The results of the repeated diagnostic study showed that the approbation of the professional development program contributed to the improvement of the level of competence of college teachers within the existing qualifications necessary for professional activity in the conditions of inclusion. The presented program of professional development can be recommended in the system of training and retraining of teachers of secondary vocational education.