Fostering complex thinking through educational simulators in higher education

Abstract

The increasing importance of serious games and simulations in higher education is undeniable. These methodologies promote active learning by allow-ing students to directly engage in their educational process through practice and experimentation, facilitating a deeper understanding of concepts. Additionally, they provide a safe environment where students can make mistakes without real-world consequences, enabling them to learn from their errors and improve their skills without associated risks. This study aims to present and evaluate the effec-tiveness of a logistics simulator as an innovative educational tool for the devel-opment of complex thinking. The integration of simulators and serious games into the educational process has been shown to significantly enhance the critical competencies necessary for professional success in an increasingly complex and dynamic environment. Complex thinking, a cognitive approach that integrates multiple types of thinking, is essential for understanding and managing the inher-ent complexity of various phenomena and systems. This study explores how Ed-ucation 4.0 and open innovation practices contribute to the development of com-plex thinking, enabling students to apply critical, systemic, scientific, and inno-vative thinking principles in practical situations. The V-Logistics platform is highlighted as an effective tool for fostering these competencies, demonstrating its impact on student engagement, learning outcomes, and the continuous profes-sional development of educators. The findings underscore the simulator's effec-tiveness in promoting deep and meaningful learning, preparing students to navi-gate and transform their environment with advanced technological and educa-tional methods.