Collaborative learning techniques for developing communicative competencies in large classes of engineering university students

Objective of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of collaborative learning techniques as a means of development of communicative competence of engineering students. Suggested research approach connected traditional didactical methods and the concept of the “Associative Dialogue in Changing Pairs” adopted at the lectures in large classes. The study was conducted during 2011-2015 and consisted of three stages, involving in total 654 students of Saint-Petersburg Polytechnic University, specializing in bioengineering, electrical and chemical engineering, technology and materials research. The obtained results have shown that all students have achieved good learning outcome and indicated significant differences in the level of formation of communicative competence between control and experimental groups. Experimentally proven techniques may be effectively used by the teachers in different educational programs (disciplines) after short training.