Abstract:

Recent events have created major challenges for the society, as well as for public school teachers and higher-education teachers. However, my experience relating to teaching in virtual environment enabled me to conclude that the measures taken to prevent the spread of the coronavirus have mainly contributed to the change in the teachers’ approach to teaching and to the innovation of their methodological toolkit. The aim of the research was to provide insight into the teaching of methodology to students majoring in Hungarian language and literature at the Faculty of Central European Studies of the Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, which was carried out in a virtual environment due to precautions taken for the prevention of the spread of COVID-19. The course called ‘Innovative Methods of Teaching Literature’ from 13 February 2020 to 15 May 2020 familiarised students with and enabled them to acquire methodological techniques forthe rethinking and reinterpretation of teaching expertise and approach assisting the development of critical thinking skills, as well as for the enhancement of teacher competences in teacher education. The research comprised the preparation of a learning guide on the basis of the experience gained during the course, the approach and methodology of which rely primarily on interactive and reflective thinking and learning techniques. Furthermore, the present compilation provides a selection of assignments for aspiring teachers in the form of a collection of examples, which can contribute to the renewal of the management techniques of active learning at different levels and in various settings of pedagogical practice. These days, freely available applications and online platforms specially designed for pedagogical purposes open up new opportunities for teachers using ICT tools, which facilitate for learners the recalling of knowledge modules, while in parallel developing thinking ability, by providing constructive schemes. Therefore, the research aimed at giving an overview of applications that can be used as intended on, inter alia, smart mobile devices, and significantly facilitate the development of cognitive knowledge.

Keywords:

e-learning, methodology, teacher training, critical thinking, application.