Developing reflective competence of university students through network volunteering

Abstract

The article describes the facilities of volunteering for students in social pedagogy and medicine during their professional training. Theoretical and methodological basis for developing students’ reflective competence, facilities for modeling it and implementing it at university through volunteering are considered. Successful development of reflective competence of students is viewed through volunteering and based on mastering the ways of social and professional behavior and new social roles. It is implemented in uneven-aged groups and depends on conscious choice of contents, forms, methods and means of training at university. That is what constitutes the concept of the research. The aim of the study is to develop, substantiate and implement theoretical and conceptual grounds for developing reflective competence of students in pedagogy and medicine at university through volunteering. The research experimentally proved the important role of volunteering in developing reflective competence of future specialists at university. It showed the correlation of characteristics of educational space at university and facilities for transferring effective reflective practices to volunteering. The results of the research indicate that developing reflective competence of future specialists through volunteering is a long process which should be specially organized. The aim of improving student’s reflective competence is personal and professional self-development. Based on the studied scientific literature, the authors revealed the characteristics of volunteering as a social and pedagogical phenomenon which had a positive influence on social and professional development of students.