THE HISTORY OF TRAINING WIDE PROFILE SPECIALISTS AT KALININGRAD PEDAGOGICAL INSTITUTE IN THE 1950-60S

At present, in a changing socio-economic situation, the experience of a regional pedagogical university might be valuable for solving current problems in education. In this regard, historical and pedagogical studies of the issues described in the work can be of great interest.

The paper discusses the features of training specialists of a wide profile at Kaliningrad State Pedagogical Institute in the 1950–60s. It reveals the role of the Physics Department teachers in the reorganization of the educational process when implementing a new academic curriculum. The reasons are described why the employees of the Department of Physics experienced significant difficulties in their work. The task of the teachers involved the radical restructuring of the educational process: revision of the curriculum and programs, supplying classrooms and laboratories with the equipment for the purpose of polytechnic training of students. Besides, great importance at the institute was given to the work of Student Societies in connection with the transition to training specialists of a wide profile. The organization of students’ internship at the city enterprises contributed to the rapprochement of Kaliningrad Pedagogical Institute with industry. Employees of the Department of Physics took part in the experiments conducted by enterprises and studied the problems emerging in the production process. The author analyzes the events in which the teachers of the Department of Physics took part to improve methodological work at the Pedagogical Institute aimed at more efficient training of graduates of the Physics Department. The reasons are described which explain why Kaliningrad State Pedagogical Institute returned to the training of single-skilled specialists in 1963. As a result, the curriculum was simplified, students had time for independent work, and teachers were able to carry out scientific and methodological work at a higher level. Using the experience of a regional pedagogical university can be useful in solving urgent problems in education in a changing socio-economic situation.