THE IMPACT OF VIRTUAL REALITY TECHNOLOGIES ON THE QUALITY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF NAVIGATORS' TRAINING

Abstract

This article addresses the topical issue of using virtual reality (VR) technologies in the system of professional training of seafarers. The purpose of the study is to comprehensively analyse the potential and prospects of VR in maritime education to improve the quality and efficiency of the learning process. The relevance of the topic is driven by the rapid technological development of the maritime industry and the need to modernise the training system in line with modern requirements. The paper analyses the current state of the seafarers' education system and identifies the deficit of the practiceoriented component of training, which leads to a lack of applied competencies among graduates. The specifics and key capabilities of VR educational technologies and their potential for solving existing problems of the quality of seafarers' training are revealed. In particular, the author emphasises the ability of VR to significantly expand the possibilities for modelling various professional situations and practicing practical skills. The specific experience of implementing VR in the system of education of seafarers is analysed. The research results demonstrate an increase in motivation, student engagement, quality and speed of professional competence development by 15-25% compared to traditional methods. The positive impact of VR on the development of cognitive abilities is noted. At the same time, a number of barriers to the large-scale integration of VR into maritime education have been identified: significant initial investments, difficulty in integrating into the established educational infrastructure, and potential risks to the health of users. The author emphasises the need for further scientific and practical work to overcome them. The article outlines promising areas for the development of VR technologies in the context of optimising the system of professional education of seafarers. The importance of expanding the range of educational VR modules, creating complex simulation environments, and implementing hybrid learning systems that combine classical methods and VR is emphasised. The need to increase the experimental base for studying the effectiveness of VR is noted. In general, the study demonstrates the significant potential of virtual reality technologies for the qualitative modernisation of seafarers' training in accordance with the requirements of the high-tech maritime industry. The introduction of VR can significantly optimise the educational process, provided that it is well integrated with traditional forms of education.