Aims and research tasks Aims of the research Building theoretical and practical basis for innovating teachingmethods in the direction of developing learners' competencies as a basisfor p
Trang 11 Reason for choosing thesis topic
In the 70s of 20th century, before the demand for educationalinnovation, many researches on teaching methods appeared, notably theinnovation trend towards capacity development, helping learners adaptpromptly with the development of reality Achievements from innovatingteaching methods towards capacity development have created a revolution
in the field of training and are considered as the key to narrow the gapbetween training and labor market requirements
In Vietnam, the issue of developing learners' competencies tomeet practical requirements has been mentioned since the 90s of 20thcentury However, it was not until the early years of the 21st century,before the urgent requirements from practice, the problem of renovatingteaching methods towards developing learners' capacity became reallyurgent This was confirmed in the Resolution No 29-NQ/TW of theCentral Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam Session XI, the2011-2020 Education Strategy of the Government and the 2005Education Law amended and supplemented 2014
Teaching method is one of the important components in the structure ofteaching process, which plays a decisive role in effectively acquiring knowledge,skills and developing learners' competencies Teaching process at school,teaching method is not only a dynamic element, but also has a close relationshipwith other elements, especially the objectives, content programs and teachingfacilities The change of the above elements will lead to a change in teachingmethods Nowadays, before the development of teaching content, along with theapplication of scientific and technical achievements to teaching, it is posingindispensable requirements to renovate teaching methods
In recent years, the activity of innovating teaching methods at universitiesinthe army has been quite diverse However, the limitations in the awareness andcompetence of some lecturers, the positive, proactive and creative skills of students
as well as the backwardness of teaching techniques, are affecting the quality oflecturers On the other hand, the practice of military operations is placing very highdemands on the commanders at the grassroots unit in terms of both knowledge andcomprehensive competence That raises the urgent need to renovate teachingmethods to develop learners' competencies
Innovating teaching methods towards capacity development hasattracted the attention of many authors from different specialties However,there haven’t been any works that systematically studied Therefore, thestudy that clarifies both theory and practice as a basis for innovating teachingmethods at military universities, contributing to the development of officers'competence is an urgent matter
Trang 2From the above reasons, the author chooses: “Innovatingteaching method at universities in the army under the direction ofdeveloping learners' competencies”
2 Aims and research tasks
Aims of the research
Building theoretical and practical basis for innovating teachingmethods in the direction of developing learners' competencies as a basisfor proposing measures to renovate teaching methods at universities inthe army towards developing learners’ capacity in order to form anddevelop the necessary capacity system, help learners respond promptly totheir responsibilities and tasks after graduating
Conducting a theoretical basis for renovating teaching methodstowards developing learners' capacity; Surveying and evaluating the actualsituation of teaching methods and innovating teaching methods at militaryuniversities; Proposing measures to renovate teaching methods towardsdeveloping learners' capacity and organizing pedagogical experiments toconfirm the correctness of the measures
3 The subject, object and scope of the research
*The subject of the research
Teaching process at universities in the army
*The object of the research
The process of renewing teaching methods at military universitiestowards developing learners' competencies
*The scope of the research
Content of the research: The dissertation focuses on studying
theoretical and practical issues on renovating teaching methods towards capacitydevelopment and proposing measures to renovate teaching methods towardscapacity development in military universities and focuses on learners in thetraining system of commanding and political officers at division-level
Area of the research: The research area of the dissertation is at the
university training institutes and schools, which are concentrated in thePolitical Officers School; Army Officer School 1 and Ải Force - Air DefenseAcademy
In terms of time:The figures served the dissertation research for a
period of 5 years from 2014 to 2019
4 Scientific hypothesis
Combining teaching method innovation with synchronous innovation
of teaching process elements is the optimal way to develop learners'competence In the process of teaching at universities in the army, if thesubjects and the pedagogical forces have a proper perception of the nature,content, path, ways of innovating teaching methods, and actively applying
Trang 3teaching methods and techniques, that wil have advantages in developinglearners' capacity, linking content innovation with innovating practicalteaching methods; At the same time, combining closely with innovatingteaching methods with promoting the effectiveness of informationtechnology and innovating testing, evaluating, the capacity of learners willdevelop according to the defined training objectives.
5 Methodology and research methods
Methodology: Based on the scientific methodology of dialectical
materialism and historical materialismof Marxism - Leninism, Ho Chi Minh'sideology on education and the viewpoints of system and structure approach,activities approach, process approach and capacity development approach
Research method: The dissertation uses a combination of research
methods including: Group of theoretical research methods; Group ofpractical research methods; Group supplementary method
6.New contribution of the dissertation
Theoretical meanings: Building a theoretical framework for
innovating teaching methods at universities in the army towards capacitydevelopment; identifying basic capacity system of learners; interpreting andclarifying the characteristics of teaching methods and the characteristics ofinnovating teaching methods in military universities towards capacitydevelopment; At the same time, clearly defining the objectives, subjects,orientation, content and factors affecting innovationof teaching methodstowards capacity development
Practical meanings: Surveying the reality of renovating teaching
methods at military universities, pointing out the advantages and disadvantages,identifying the causes, drawing experiences On that basis, proposing measures
to renovate teaching methods at universities in the army towards developinglearners' capacities in a synchronized and unified manner
7 Theoretical and practical meanings of the thesis
Theoretical aspect: Research results contribute to supplement and theory
development on renovating teaching methods towards developing learners'capacity At the same time, providing a scientific basis to help the teaching subjectsapply in the process of renewing teaching methods, contributing to improving thequality of officers' training to meet practical requirements
Practical aspects: The topic can be used as a reference for lecturers
and learners at military universities, contributing to innovating teachingmethods, overcoming the situation that only attach importance toknowledge, overlooking the issue of capacity development
8 Structure of the thesis
The structure of the thesis includes: Introduction, 4 chapters (13periods), conclusions, recommendations, list of scientific works of theauthor, list of references and appendices
Trang 4CHAPTER 1 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH RELATED TO THE THESIS 1.1 The research works related to the thesis topic
1.1.1 Research direction of teaching methods and teaching methods towards capacity development
1.1.1.1 Research on teaching methods
The issue of teaching method was studied quite comprehensively
by Soviet educators in the 70s of 20thcentury, typically as L.V Zancop
(1970) with the book "Teaching theory and life"; T.A Ilina (1973) with the book "Teaching theory"; M.A Dannilop, I.IaLecne, M.N Xcatkin (1980) with the book "Teaching theory of high schools" In the West, author John Dewey (1858 - 1952) with the book "Democracy and Education" Recently, the book "Effective teaching methods" by Robert
J Marzano, Debra J Pickering, Jane E Pollock (2011)
In Vietnam, author PhanTrong Ngo (2005) with the book "Teaching and teaching methods in schools"; author Thai DuyTuyen (2008) with the book "Traditional teaching methods and innovation" Recently, author Bernd Meier, Nguyen Van Cuong (2014) with the book "Modern teaching theory" The authors have mentioned quite comprehensively the issues
surrounding teaching methods such as nature, structure, content,classification, objectivity as well as different levels of teaching methods In
the army, author Le Minh Vu (2005) with the book "Improving teaching methods of social sciences and humanities in military schools"; author Tran Dinh Tuan (2013) with the book "Theory of teaching military university" 1.1.1.2 Research on teaching methods towards capacity development
This trend appeared in the 70s of 20thcentury, typically the author
Ph N Göbborlin (1976) with the book "The psychological qualities of the teacher"; author Xavier Roegiers (1996) with the book "Integrated Pedagogy or how to develop competence at school" Recently, author William E B (1982) with the book "Handbook for Developing Competency-Based Training Programs" (Handbook for developing
capacity-based training programs); author Thomas Armstrong (2011) withthe book "Multiple intelligences in the classroom" The authors have madeimportant suggestions to develop learners' capacity
In Vietnam, book "Methods of teaching in vocational training" by Nguyen Duc Tri and Ho Ngoc Vinh (2012); project "Some general issues on renovating teaching methods in high schools" by Nguyen Van Cuong, Bernd Meier (2010) Besides the above researches, doctoral thesis: "Developing the capacity of teaching mathematics for students at pedagogical schools" by Do
Trang 5Thi Trinh (2013); dissertation "Developing social activity capacity for students
at pedagogical universities in the Northern mountainous areas in credit-based training" by author Ha My Hanh (2015).
In the army, author Le Minh Vu (2009) with the book "The process of evaluating military pedagogical competence of the subjects recruited to train teacherstoday”; Doctoral Thesis on Education Studies "Teaching towards capacity development of students of Political Officers School" by Tran XuanPhu (2012); thesis "Psychological basis to develop creative thinking of officerlearners in military schools today" by Bui Tuan Anh (2016).
1.1.2 Research direction on innovating teaching methods and innovating teaching methods towards capacity development
1.1.2.1 Researching on innovating teaching methods
Research on teaching method innovation was started in the 70s of 20th
century, L.V Zancop (1970) with the book "Theory of teaching and life” Recently, the book set: "Eight innovations to become good teachers" by Giselle O Martin-Kniep (2011); "Qualities of effective teachers" by James H Stronge (2011); "Arts and teaching science" by Robert J Marzano (2011); "Effective teaching methods" by Robert J Marzano, Debra J Pickering (2011); "Effective classroom management" by Robert J Marzano, Jana S Marzano & Debra J Pickering (2011); "Multiple intelligences in the classroom".
In Vietnam, author Tran Ba Hoanh (2010) with the book "Innovating teaching methods, programs and textbooks"; book "Teaching methods and technologies in an interactive pedagogical environment" by Pho DucHoa and
Ngo Quang Son (2016); author Truong ThiThuy Van (2009) with her doctoral
thesis "Innovating methods of teaching chemistry towards promoting the activeness, self-awareness, initiative and creativity of students in high schools"; author Ta Quang Tuan (2010) with the thesis "Organizing teaching based on learner-learner interaction at colleges".
In the army, author Le Minh Vu (1999) with the book "Renewing teaching methods in military universities"; Nguyen Dinh Minh and Nguyen Van Chung (2010) with the book "Applying teaching methods at military schools" Recently, author Nguyen XuanSinh (2014) and colleagues in the project "Solutions to link content innovation with innovation of teaching methods for Social Sciences and Humanities subjects at the Political Academy" In addition to the above research, a doctoral thesis "Applying collaborative teaching method in teaching Humanities and Social Sciences subjects at military university" by Phan Van Ty (2010).
1.1.2.2 Researching on innovating teaching methods towards capacity development
Authors X.G.Lucônhin, V.V.Xere-Bri-an-Jacob (1981) with the book
"Methods of teaching social sciences subjects"; author Rick Sullivan, Noel
Trang 6McIntosh (1995) with the study "The Competency-Based Approach to Training" (Competency-based training approach); author Thomas Deissinger and SlikeHellwig (2011) with the study "Structures and functions of Competency-based Education and Training (CBET)" (The structure and
function of capacity-based education and training)
In Vietnam, the book "Teaching in the orientation of capacity development of learners in high school" by Le DinhTrung, PhanThiThanh Hoi (2016) Recently, the book "Teaching methods for developing high school students' capacity" by author Huynh Van Son (2018), doctoral thesis "Developing creative independent capacity for engineering university students through teaching organic chemistry" by author DinhThi Hong Minh (2013); "Organizing teaching local geography in TayNinh province in the direction of capacity development"
by Nguyen Truong Vu (2015)
In the army, author Nguyen Van Phan (2014) with the project
"Innovating teaching methods towards developing capacity for learners at the Political Academy"; projecr "Researching solutions to renovate political training program at the Political Academy towards capacity development" by Phan Van Ty (2017); author Nguyen The Vinh (2017) with the scientific article: "Developing the capacity of learners in military officers' schools to meet requirements of educational innovation today".
1.2 Overview of the main results of typical published scientific works and the issues that need solving in the thesis
1.2.1 Overview of the main results of typical published scientific works
Firstly, studies on teaching methods have deeply explained the issues:
structure, nature, classification, relationship of teaching methods with elements ofthe teaching process A number of studies have focused on assessing the situationand proposing directions for innovating teaching methods
Secondly, the issue of teaching methods towards capacity development
has not been studied, some new works mentioned training program, testing andassessment, but mostly at high school level
Thirdly, research on innovating new teaching methods approaches in
terms of positive cognitive activities While the purpose of teaching todaybeside the goal of knowledge and skills, "teaching for learners to develop" isvery important, but has not been fully addressed
Fourthly, research on teaching method innovation towards
developingcapacityonly focused on general education and vocational training.Higher education refers to training programs, testing and assessments In themilitary, there hasn’t been any systematic research works
1.2.2 The issues need to be focused on solving in the thesis
Trang 7Firstly, building theoretical and practical basis as a scientific basis
for renewing teaching methods at military universities towards developinglearners' capacity
Secondly, determining the system of learners’abilities in military
universities, showing the nature, path and measures to develop learners'abilities in the teaching process
Thirdly, showing the nature, objectives, subjects, subjects, content and
conditions for renovating teaching methods in the direction of developinglearners' abilities and identifying impact factors On that basis, assessing thesituation, pointing out the advantages, disadvantages, causes and proposingmeasures to innovate synchronous and effective teaching method
Fourthly, interpreting andclarifing the fundamental contradictions in
the teaching process as well as in innovating teaching methods in order tocreate a synchronization in the innovation process
Fifthly, proposing measures to renovate teaching methods at military
universities towards capacity development and conductingscientific experiments
to verify the necessity and feasibility of the proposed measures
Conclusion of chapter 1
Recently, there have been many scientific works of authorsinterested in research related to innovating teaching methods towardsdeveloping capacity for learners with different contents, subjects andangles of approach However, the issue of renovating teaching methodstowards capacity development in universities in general and in the military
in particular has not been thoroughly studied and resolved
Chapter 2 THEORITICAL BASIS FOR INNOVATING TEACHING ETHODAT UNIVERSITIES IN THE ARMY UNDER THE DIRECTION OF
DEVELOPING LEARNERS’ COMPETENCIES
2.1 Theoretical issues about teaching method at universities in the army towards developing learners' competencies
2.1.1 Teaching method and teaching method at university
2.1.1.1 General concept of teaching method
Teaching method is a unified combination of organizational, directing, directing and controlling activities
of teachers and self-directed and self-organizing activities
of learners during teaching process in order to implement the content and purposes of the teaching.
2.1.1.2 Concept of teaching method at university
Teaching method at university is a unified combination between the direction of teaching activities,
Trang 8the orientation of lecturers and the methods of directed and self-organizing activities of learners in order
self-to implement the teaching objectives, contributing self-to training a contingent staff with university qualification.
The teaching method at university includes the teaching method ofteachers, respectively, the learning method of students with dialecticalrelations with each other, the teaching method always directs the learningmethod, thelearning method has a great impact back to teaching method
On the other hand, the method of university teaching is the way the subjectworks, so it contains subjective imprints of the subject Functionally, themethods of university teaching include cognitive function, intellectualdevelopment function and educational function
2.1.1.3 The relationship between teaching method and basic elements in teaching process at university
Firstly, the relationship between teaching objectives and the methods of university teaching; Secondly, the relationship between the teaching content and the teaching method; Thirdly, the relationship between teaching methods and teaching and learning activities; Fourthly, the relationship between teaching methods and teaching facilities at university; Fifthly, the relationship between the teaching
method and the form of teaching organization
2.1.1.4 System of teaching methods at university
Inheriting the results of published studies, based on the analysis of teachingcharacteristics at universities and learners' characteristics, the thesis identifies thecurrent system of university teaching methods including the system of traditionalteaching methods and a system of teaching methods born in the renovationprocess, in order to actively improve learners' awareness
2.1.2 Developing teaching capacity and methods towards developing learners' competencies
2.1.2.1 Developing learners' competencies
* Compentence concept
Competence is the ability to effectively master, connect and operate the system of knowledge, skills and attitudes to successfully implement an activity in a certain context.
Structure of competence: Including components: knowledge,
skills, attitude, in those factors, skills are the core
Competence classification: The most common trend nowadays is to classify competencies into 4 groups: Professional competency; Methodical competency; Social competency and Induavidual competency.
* Capacity of learners at military universities
Trang 9The capacity of learners at military universities is the ability to effectively master, connect and operate the system of knowledge, skills and attitudes of learners to successfully implement learning activities and situations in real life military practice.
The structure of learners' capacity includes: General knowledgesystem and specialized military knowledge, knowledge about management,and human education; The system of common skills, military skills andspecific skills, organizational management skills, training, propaganda,education and attitude is the right concept of career, job passion anddetermination for involvement in work, ready to act to meet the requirements
of the profession; enthusiastic in research, creativeness and innovation
* Competence system of learners at military universities
The thesis identifies the system of competency of learners in military
universities including 4 groups with 21 competencies: Professional competence is a system of competencies that ensure learners well perform
professional tasks according to training titles to become commandingofficers, political officers at division-level (For trainees training commanding
officers and political officers consisting of 8 competencies); Methodological capacity is a system of capabilities to ensure that commanding officers and
political officers perform well in information processing, planning,
inspecting, etcincluding 5 capacities; Social capacity includes the ability to
help officers to deal well with relationships, keep internal solidarity, unite the
people and army including 4 capacities; Individual capacity is a system of
competence that helps officers to comprehensively develop themselves andtheir careers, including 4 competencies
* Concept of learner capacity development
The development of learners’ capacity is the process
of changing the quality of the learners' competence system in the teaching process, in order to effectively meet the requirements set in the learning process and practical activities.
Content of development: Simultaneous development of all
capabilities of an officer, as well as the development of personal qualities,revolutionary moral values and military morality for learners
Capacity development path:In term of teaching method, the
development of learners' capacity is expressed through the activities oflecturers in order to promote the subjective role of learners in acquiringand applying knowledge, skills in solving practical situations, testing andevaluating the results of capacity development
2.1.2.2 Teaching method at universities in the army
in the direction of developing learners' competencies
Trang 10* Concept
Teaching method at universities in the army towards developing learners' capacity is a combination and unity between teaching method and learning method in order to promote the subjective role of learners
in forming and developing officers' competence system according to the identified training objectives.
* Characteristics of teaching methods towards capacity development in military universities
Firstly, teaching methodtowards capacity development is always
associated with the goal of forming and developing the capacity of officers
according to the training objectives; Secondly, the teaching method towards
capacity development at military universities is both disciplined and
artistic; Thirdly, the teaching method towards capacity development in
military universities is always strongly influenced by the practical
experience of the instructor; Fourthly, the teaching method towards
developing capacity associated with modern military technical equipment
according to the specialized training; Fifthly, teaching method towards
developing learners' capacity always has a close combination betweenmodernity and attaching importance to traditional experiences
2.2 Theoretical issues on teaching method innovation at universities in the army in the direction of developing learners' competencies
2.2.1 The concept of innovating teaching method and innovating teaching method at military universities
2.2.1.1 Innovating teaching method
Innovating teaching method is a process of improving, developing and creating ways to coordinate and interact between teachers and learners in order to create an environment and favorable conditions for learners to effectively absorb the system of knowledge, skills and social experience to formulate and develop qualities and competencies according to the training objectives
Subjects of innovating teaching methods are teachers and learners,
associated with two basic activities: teaching and learning activities
Object of innovation is the teacher's way of teaching and the
learner's learning method
Content of innovation is changing, changing conceptions as well
as teaching methods of teachers and learners' learning methods, frompassive learning to active and creative learning
2.2.1.2 Innovating teaching method at universities in the army
Trang 11Innovating teaching method is a process of improving, developing and creating ways to coordinate and interact between teachers and learners in order to create an environment and favorable conditions for learners to effectively absorb the system of knowledge, skills and social experience to formulate and develop qualities and competencies according to the training objectives.
Nature of innovation: Changing and inheriting traditional teaching
methods and acquiring new teaching methods in a flexible way, suitable to theconditions and circumstances to meet current requirements
Innovation subject: Lecturers and learners associated with two
activities: teaching method of a lecturer and learner’s learning method
Subjects of innovation: As teaching methods and learning methods Content of innovation: It is the development, change, way of
coordination, interaction between lecturers and learners from one-waycommunication method to positive coordination and interaction
Obstacles in innovation: awareness, habit with passive teaching
methods; limitations on competence of lecturers; the inadequacy between theprogram, the content with the time, the backwardness of facilities
2.2.2 Innovating teaching method at universities in the army towards developing learners' competencies
2.2.2.1 Concept
Innovating teaching method at military universities towards developing learners' capacity is the process of fully exploiting the advantages of traditional teaching methods, applying flexibly, creatively and appropriately modern teaching methods and techniques, combined with research, development and application of new teaching methods step
by step in order to promote a positive change in the process
of interaction between lecturers and students, creating environment and favorable conditions for learners to apply knowledge, skills and attitudes into practice, form and develop competencies according to the training objectives Nature of innovation: innovating the way of conducting methods,
innovating means and method deployment based on fully exploiting theadvantages of traditional teaching methods and applying flexibly newteaching methods with advantages in developing learners' capacity,combining with the use of modern teaching methods and positive
Trang 12teaching techniques to create an favorable environment for promoting thepositive nature of learner.
The goal of innovation: Moving from a teaching-centered approach
to a learner-centered approach directing at the development of a system
of necessary competencies for performing the duties and responsibilities
of the officers according to training objectives
Innovation subject: Lecturers and learenrs through teaching and
learning activities
Object of innovation: Innovating the way of collaborative and
interactive activities between lecturers and learners; innovating ways oforganizing teaching activities of lecturer and learning activities of learners
Conditions for innovation: Lecturers have both extensive and deep
pedagogical knowledge Learners must adapt to the new teachingmethodology to create innovative learning methods Training content andprogram must be compatible with capacity development orientations Thesystem of teaching equipment ensures conformity with the content andteaching method Testing and evaluation activities need to be renewed
The relationship of innovating teaching methods with the development of learners’ capacity: Essentially, considering the
development of students' competence is the goal of innovating teachingmethods This means that all activities of renovating teaching methods,including innovating teaching methods of lecturer and learning methods oflearners, must have impact on the development of cognitive, practical, andprivate creativity capacity and lifelong self-study method of learners.Finally, it affects the development of learners' action competence
2.2.2.2 Characteristics, orientation and content of renovating teaching methods at universities in the army in the direction of developing learners' competencies
* Characteristics of innovating teaching methods at military universities towards developing learners' competencies
Firstly, teaching through a continuous organization of learning
activities, stimulating self-discipline, positive, helping learners discover, find,
acquire knowledge by themselves and apply it in practice; Secondly, focusing
on training learenrs with knowledge of methods, based on which promote the
role of subject in learning process; Thirdly, diversifying forms of learning,
attaching importance to strengthening individual learning cooperation with
cooperative learning; Fourthly, teaching must be closely linked with military equipment and techniques; Fifthly, focusing on assessing learning results
Trang 13according to lesson objectives throughout the teaching process, and developinglearners' self-assessment and self-assessment skills.
* Innovation orientation
Firstly, it is necessary to promote the active, self-motivated nature of
the learners, to formulate and develop self-study capacity, on which basisthe learners should cultivate independent, flexible and creative qualities of
the learners; Secondly, exploiting the strengths of each teaching method in
accordance with the specific characteristics of the subject and the nature of
each type of competency of the learner; Thirdly, the use of teaching
methods must be closely linked to the form of teaching organization;
Fourthly, effectively exploiting teaching equipment in accordance with the
specific to create motivation for learners
* Content of innovation: Firstly, forming awareness and right
viewpoint on the trend of developing teaching methods towards capacity
development; Secondly, applying teaching methods in the direction of
promoting cognitive activeness and capacity development in teaching
process; Thirdly, strengthening the ways of practice, skill training,
applying knowledge to solve situations associated with responsibilities of
officers; Fourthly, combining innovation of teaching methods with
strengthening of modern teaching techniques and application of
information technology in teaching process; Fifthly, innovating the
method of testing and evaluating learners’results
2.3 Factors affecting the innovation of teaching methods in military universities towards developing learners' competencies
Firstly, the impact from the socio-economic development, science and technology; Secondly, the impact from the objectives and content of education in military universities; Thirdly, impact from the lines, viewpoints of comprehensive
renovation of education and training of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Central
Military Commission, Ministry of National Defense; Fourthly, the impact of the requirements of military operations practices; Fifthly, the impact from the awareness, qualifications and competencies of the teaching staff; Sixthly, the impact from positive, initiative and creativity of learners; Seventhly, the impact from the conditions of facilities and education environment of the school; Eighthly,
impact from the way of testing and evaluating learning results of learners
Conclusion of chapter 2
Competence is an important component of an officer'spersonality, a basis for them to fulfill their assigned duties Under thepresent conditions, the development of military science and the impact
of the 4.0 revolution are placing very high demands on the commander