Acquiring practical competencies through an open online course

Abstract

Modern information technologies have opened great opportunities in the ways of obtaining education. For example, on the Internet you can study in the best universities, at the best courses, from the best teachers. However, legitimate questions arise: is distance learning effective? Is it possible to remotely master practical skills or only courses in the humanitarian direction «fit» into the format of online learning? The article describes the experience of launching and maintaining a mass open online
course aimed at mastering students with practical skills in the AutoCAD graphic package. The obtained results disprove the myth of the insolvency of distance education provided that the basic principles of effective teaching are observed.