Open platform prototype for technocreative labs:case-based assessment to enhance complex thinking

Emerging Industry 4.0 demands for the continuous reskilling and upskilling of researchers and employees indicate the need to develop complex thinking in higher education students through training in applied research projects at the international level. This work uses the research case methodology to showcase the creation of a virtual technocreative platform prototype through sequential activities for the progressive development of complex thinking at the undergraduate level in international partnership research between Mexico and Canada. The study process applied the observation method. The findings were: a) research activities promote the development of complex thinking; b) a logical sequence of contextualized activities can enhance complex thinking; and c) international collaboration triggers complex thinking. The work emphasized innovative thinking through supervised interdisciplinary work and students acquiring inquiry skills through real-life problem-solving. The highly contextualized, sequenced activities can be replicated in other educational projects that involve international collaboration.