The thesis resolves the scientific task of forming the professional competence of future military management masters using simulation technology.
The analysis and studying of pedagogical theory and practice concerning professional training of military specialists in the system of higher military education has been carried out, the structure of professional competence of future military management masters has been specified and the content has been supplemented.
The analysis of the state of research regarding formation of the professional competence in pedagogical theory and practice has made it possible to clarify the essence and structure of the basic concept of the professional competence. Basing on the theoretical studying of the researchers’ opinions, the professional competence of future military management masters was defined as a complex integrative entity of operational level management officer, which manifests itself in an appropriate level of training, practical ability and readiness to activate and apply the knowledge, skills, professionally important qualities and military and professional experience of the military authorities while fulfilling their tasks. The following content components of professional competence have been substantiated: value and motivational, cognitive, praxeological, individual and psychological and conative.
The simulation technology is considered as a systematic method of identification, creation and application of personnel to perform functions of professional activities in the uncertainty of a quasi-professional environment created by means (systems) of simulation modeling. The structure of simulation technology is represented through the interconnection of the conceptual, content, procedural components, software and methodological support and criteria for evaluating of technological process in accordance with the specific pedagogical and organizational conditions of its application.
Pedagogical and organizational conditions of forming the professional competence have been substantiated: design, content, methodical conditions. They function in a complex interconnection and contribute to the c formation of the professional competence on the basis of systemic contextual, competent, synergistic, axiological and operational and methodological approaches.
In the thesis, the result of pedagogical modeling is development of the structural and functional model, which includes four interconnected units such as: conceptual (goal, tasks, methodological component), content (training content), technology (methods, forms, types of exercises, means, simulation environment), effective and diagnostic (testing, questionnaire, observation, psychological diagnostics), criteria (structural, functional), indicators of professional competence formation (high, sufficient, average, low) and stages of realization of the method of forming the professional competence. Implementation of this model is provided by the justified pedagogical and organizational conditions of its formation.
The author’s method of professional competence formation of future military management masters using simulation technology is carried out with the help of means of teaching, principles, methods, types of training, means and includes four stages: preparatory, basic, concluding. The developed training and methodological complex ensure the author`s method and include its organizational, academic and methodological support.
The criteria for diagnostic of professional competence of future masters of military management have been improved. Improvement is to specify the content of indicators that diagnose the results of professional management activities of future military management masters in a quasi-professional environment (the process of management activity and the result of activity with using the simulation; knowledge and ability to use the simulation and simulation methods for professional competence forming of military specialists).
The effectiveness of pedagogical and organizational conditions for formation of professional competence of the future military management masters using simulation technology has been experimentally confirmed.
As a result, practical recommendations of professional competence formation using the Joint Conflict and Tactical Simulation (JCATS) system have been developed on the basis of the research and introduced.
Key words: future military management masters, method, pedagogical and organizational conditions, pedagogical modeling, professional competence, simulation technology.
