Innovative methods in teaching: on the discipline “Abai's teaching” at the Abai Research Institute at KazNU

Studying the works and teachings of the great Abai Kunanbayev – poet, thinker, founder of Kazakh literature, national enlightener, reformer of national culture, who strived for rapprochement with the world culture without losing national values, in fact, requires from the researcher and from the teacher not only theoretical, but also methodological knowledge. In this regard, a methodological seminar for young teachers on the subject “Abai's teaching” was held at the Abai Research Institute at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. The organizer and moderator of the seminar, associate professor of the Abai Research Institute, candidate of philological sciences Mussaly L.Zh. presented a brief methodological overview of the seminar on the example of her open lesson with the use of interactive and didactic tasks, which was held in the first year of the Russian section of the Faculty of Information Technology. 
During the seminar students actively participated in different didactic games on the Learningapps platform. The seminar was attended by 2nd year doctoral students of the specialty “8D01704 – Russian Language and Literature” of the Faculty of Philology, who underwent research practice at the Abai Research Institute. They developed and discussed a presentation on the topic “Abai Kunanbaiuly and A.S. Pushkin”, as well as a game with cells organized on the platform "Kahoot" in a game with variants on the platform “Wordwall” on the topic “Abai and ancient philosophers”. Questions on aphorisms were asked, to see the differences between all types of aphorisms, to find them in the text and to comment correctly. To cope with the test, students had to read an article about what aphorisms are and read works by Abai Kunanbayev. The teacher prepared creative tasks on the works of the great poet: “Complete the missing words: 1. “It has been noticed long ago that laughter is similar to....” 2. “Glory is a high rock. Patient snake crawls on it, a falcon soars to its peak….”; 3. “Working only for himself is like the animal that takes care of his belly. Lord loves the one who works for….”; Didactic tasks. Read the aphorisms.  On the basis of their analysis, make a “portrait” of a modern manager: “Every man should preferentially take up what is possible for him and what is decent for him” (Aristotle). “To err is human, but to persevere in error is only the act of a fool.” (Cicero). “Human dignity is determined by the path that one takes to the end, not by whether one achieves it.” (Abai). “Working only for himself is like the animal that takes care of his belly. Lord loves the one who works for the good of mankind.” (Abai); Conduct an online survey among your acquaintances about their knowledge on the topic “Abai's Aphorisms”; Write a discussion essay on the statement: “Be a son of humanity!” (Abai).  Discuss the author's position in the audience, etc. 
As homework, students were offered tasks that contribute to the development of mental abilities, emotional intelligence, teach them to analyze and reflect on their experiences, develop observation and the ability to compare and draw conclusions. Discussion essay helps students to analyze their own actions and the actions of others.
In the second part of the seminar, the teachers of Abai Research Institute discussed the fragments and tasks of the seminar. The inclusion of interactive games contributed to the change of activity at the seminar session, creating a cheerful working mood in students, and the teacher in an exciting form to quickly conduct primary control, systematization of acquired knowledge, preparation for the final evaluation work, solving the learning problem and practicing the acquired skills of students.
In conclusion, it can be said that the use of innovative methods helps to increase students' interest in the learning process and stimulates their active participation in classes. Taking into account the students' need to master extensive information and develop practical skills, teachers strive to create new approaches to knowledge transfer, apply new technologies in teaching and seek creative teaching methods.