Developing strategic thinking in servicemen by means of interactive learning

New global hybrid threats require innovative methods for developing strategic thinking in the servicemen, which makes the study of interactive learning technologies relevant. The aim of the research is to study the impact of interactive learning methods on the strategic thinking of future military personnel in higher education institutions (HEIs). The research employed the following methods: computer simulations with fixed response times, Foresight Assessment Tool, and testing (Team Strategic Thinking Measure, TSTM). Descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney test, Wilcoxon test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and t-test were used as statistical methods. Reliability and validity were tested using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. The study sample consisted of 120 people. The results showed that the experimental group (EG) significantly outperformed the control group (CG) in all TSTM indicators (p≤0.001). The level of strategic coherence increased by 26% (from 62.3±8.5 to 78.6±7.2 points, d=1.23). The number of innovative solutions doubled (from 2 to 4, r=0.42). The time to reach consensus was reduced by 33% (from 14.2±3.8 to 9.5±2.6 min, d=0.89), and communicative effectiveness improved by 30% (from 6.1±1.3 to 7.9±1.1 points, d=0.93). The greatest effect of interactive learning was recorded for strategic coherence (d=1.23). It was found that the use of interactive learning methods contributes to the development of strategic thinking of the servicemen, which is expressed in improved speed of decision-making, forecasting accuracy, increasing adaptability, and the effectiveness of team interaction. Prospects for future research include studying the long-term effects of interactive learning methods, the influence of individual characteristics of participants, as well as the development of personalized training programmes using new technologies.