Interactive simulators and their application in the process of training IT specialists on the Moodle learning management system

Importance. The use of interactive simulators in the training of IT specialists is considered. The relevance is due to the need for high-quality training of specialists in the field of information technology for the country’s digital economy in conditions of a significant shortage of personnel, high dynamics of knowledge in the subject area being studied and the need for a constant connection between training and the inclusion of students in real practice-oriented professional activities. A module for automated verification of program code for the Moodle LMS is developed and, using it, interactive simulators have been created for training specialists in the field of web technologies. Research Methods. To achieve the research goals, various methods are used, including analysis of pedagogical literature, generalization and systematization of data. When developing an interactive simulator, various methods and approaches are used, namely: structural and functional modeling to describe the design of the simulator; principles of object-oriented programming to ensure flexibility and extensibility of the simulator; integration into a distance learning system for using the simulator as part of a training course; statistical processing of experimental results to analyze the effectiveness of the simulator and make the necessary adjustments. Results and Discussion. Changes in the scientific and economic sphere of our country have increased the contradictions between the needs of society and the level of IT specialists produced by the personnel training system. Technological modernization, integration of scientific fields and the constant formation of new knowledge dictate new requirements for IT specialists. From a good educational course for training IT specialists, we expect not only a large volume of practical tasks, but also the ability to quickly receive feedback. Online simulators are successfully used by many educational platforms to intensify the training process of IT specialists and increase student involvement in the educational process. A module for automated checking of HTML and CSS code for the Moodle LMS is developed and online simulators were created based on it. An experiment is conducted to introduce the developed simulators into the educational process. Students, based on the assignments they receive, can write code on their own, work with errors, take hints, receive immediate feedback, and move on to the next assignments. To assess the effectiveness of using the developed simulators in the educational process, the ratio of the number of students who successfully completed practical tasks and those who started them is chosen. We compared this indicator with the indicator of successful completion of practical tasks in groups where there was no simulator. For the experiment, groups of students with a comparable initial level of competencies in the field of web development are selected. The experiment showed that in groups undergoing training using the developed interactive simulators, the ratio of successfully completed practical tasks is 18 % higher than in groups of students studying without the use of simulators. Conclusion. Effective selection of available instrumental resources allows you to quickly and economically implement distance learning components specific to IT specialties, in accordance with the needs of the digital economy of the Russian Federation. The use of such technological tools not only improves the quality of education, but also prepares students for the demands of the modern labor market. It is extremely important for higher education institutions to adapt to the changing needs of the digital economy, and the use of interactive simulators is one of the key steps in this direction. The developed module for automated checking of HTML and CSS code for the Moodle LMS and simulators built on its basis will strengthen the practical component of training specialists in web technologies in the higher education system. This will ensure that students acquire the practical skills and knowledge needed for their future careers in the rapidly evolving digital world.