STUDENT’S INDIVIDUAL EDUCATIONAL PATH: THE ESSENCE AND KEY ASPECTS OF ORGANIZATION

Abstract

The article reviews the essence of an individual educational path, defines its peculiarities, and provides itstheoretical justification for higher education pursuers. The author researches the legislative basis that securesstudents’ right to learn following an individual educational path. The analysis encompasses various approachesto understanding the notion of an “individual educational path” and the international practice of individualizingeducation in higher educational establishments. It focuses on the main principles to follow when developingan individual educational path for students. Also, it describes an interconnection between the individualizationof education and the scientific research activities performed by the students.The actuality for in-depth study of this topic is caused by numerous social factors that promote a higherschool reform. One of the grounds for the reform is the need to individualize higher education, which can makethe quality of training specialists meet the new social and professional reality. The principle of individualizededucation is implemented through a free choice of types, forms and paces of pursuing education, of academic disciplines and their levels, of learning methods and media. The students’ search of conditions and ways tofollow individual educational paths is becoming an important business line for Ukrainian universities. Bychoosing, building and following an individual educational path, a student is able to develop the universaland professional competences that are highly demanded in modern society.The conducted research proves that an individual educational path allows a student to fulfill their ownindividual needs, master the competences necessary for the future professional activities, which would makethem stand the competition on the labour market.The author insists that a student’s individual educational path should be explored in the widest extentpossible, whereas mastering competences is mandatory both for starting a career, and for pursuing furtherprofessional path. The individualization of education requires building a straight-line logical system withthe main aim being a student and an effective organization of educational work therewith.