The method of formation of skills of simulation modeling the it professional
Authors: Guseva E. N. , Efimova I. Y. , Varfolomeeva T. N. 
Published: March 2019

Purpose of the study.The aim is to create a technique targeted at the development of simulation skills in higher education environment, where students are competent in applying information technologies in economics. The relevance of the research lies in the fact that the existing methodological developments often focus on a specific software tool or methodology that cannot respond to all economic problems. A specialist in simulation modeling should possess integrative interdisciplinary knowledge from related scientific fields, for example, probability theory and mathematical statistics, higher mathematics, be familiar with other methods of solving economic problems: linear, nonlinear, dynamic programming, optimization; show proficiency in structural and functional analysis; be able to explore complex processes and systems comprehensively.

Materials and methods.The following pedagogical approaches and teaching methods were implemented in this research: ● a systematic approach to solving complex problems based on the modelling economic objects as systems operating in a certain environment, ● activity approach to develop students’ professional competences in the process of creation, debugging and optimization of computer models of economic systems; ● problem teaching method in the framework of research and analysis of educational problems of the subject area; ● implemented interactive teaching methods; ● multimedia methods in the content of teaching materials of the discipline, including electronic manuals, educational videos, as well as multimedia presentations. The research also utilized information technologies, in which computers, communication equipment and software environments are: ● means to provide educational material to students for the transfer of knowledge; ● tools for designing, developing and conducting simulation experiments. In addition, we used the following special professional technologies, methods and tools in the process of teaching students: ● structural and functional modeling methodology; ● discrete-event approach to simulation methodology; ● special software for development and research of simulation models of economic processes and systems: Arena 15.0, AnyLogic 8.3.2.

According to the requirements of the new educational standards, the student must master a sufficiently large amount of general cultural, professional and specialized competencies included in the curriculum. The application of the proposed approaches and methods allows to provide effective development of skills of simulation modeling of educational programs for bachelors of «Applied Informatics» and «Business Informatics».

Results.The study created a method of teaching students the skills of simulation modeling. The research also established the model of formation of readiness of the IT specialist to the development of simulation models of economic processes and systems in higher school. We also identified important methodological conditions for the formation of professional competencies of students in the field of modeling, such as: ● application of a systematic approach to the analysis of domain problems, as well as for the synthesis of mathematical simulation models of business processes and economic systems; ● practical orientation of the content of training (selection and research in the educational process of the most characteristic, typical problems of the economy); ● integration of interdisciplinary knowledge, methods and approaches to solve complex problems.

Conclusion.The method can equip students with skills of simulation modeling with various areas of practical application. First, this technique can be used by university students who are engaged in pursuing practical skills and basic system knowledge in the field of simulation. Secondly, teachers can use it, conducting courses: “Computer modeling”, “Mathematical and simulation modeling”, “Modeling of processes and systems” in the educational process of the University to improve the professional competence of students training simulation modeling. Third, the outcomes may be of interest to managers of educational programs in the areas of: “Applied Informatics”, “Business Informatics”, etc. to improve the structure and sequence of disciplines of competence-oriented curricula. Finally, the application of the proposed methodology in the educational process of the University will enhance professional expertise of young specialists and undoubtedly address the needs of potential employers.