USING VISUAL PROGRAMMING PLATFORMS FOR DEVELOPING INFORMATION AND DIGITAL COMPETENCE OF FUTURE STEM TEACHERS

Abstract

This article analyzes the challenges and opportunities in modern education amidst rapid digital transformation, including decreased student motivation and superficial knowledge, information overload, and teacher burnout. The authors emphasize the importance of purposefully developing information and digital competence in both teachers and students to overcome these problems. The role of the modern teacher as a "digital mentor" who uses innovative methods, such as blended learning, gamification, and digital storytelling, is examined. Special attention is given to the concepts of STEM and STEAM education as promising approaches for training a new generation of specialists. The article provides a detailed analysis of the use of visual programming platforms (specifically, Scratch, Kodu Game Lab, and Node-RED) in global (Great Britain, South Korea, USA, Sweden, Turkey) and Ukrainian educational practices. The methodological principles for integrating these tools into the learning process are revealed. Despite the challenges (unequal access to technology, a shortage of qualified teachers, and insufficient funding), important initiatives are being actively implemented in Ukraine, such as the integration of Scratch into the "New Ukrainian School" program and the "We Code with Scratch" project. Based on theoretical justification and an analysis of foreign and domestic experiences, the method for forming information and digital competence, utilizing visual programming platforms as the primary tool for project and research activities, has been refined. The criteria for evaluating future teachers' research projects are substantiated, and the main advantages and disadvantages of different platforms are systematized. For the first time, the methodology based on the use of visual programming platforms was improved, the criteria for evaluating future teachers' research projects were substantiated, and the main advantages and disadvantages of various platforms were systematized. It is proposed to consider project activity as the main method of learning, which helps to integrate knowledge from different fields, develops logical and algorithmic thinking, and also forms important research skills.