The potential of simulation and game-based technologies in teaching the fundamentals of safety and homeland defense

The article analyzes the problems and prospects of implementing simulation and game-based technologies in teaching the subject “Fundamentals of Security and Defense of the Homeland” (FSDH) under resource constraints. The relevance of the study is determined by the need to improve the quality of students’ training for actions in emergency situations, to develop stable practical skills, as well as to stimulate interest in military service and promote military-patriotic education. The aim of the research was to identify problem areas and barriers limiting the use of simulation and game-based methods, as well as to define pedagogical conditions that contribute to their effective integration into the educational process. The empirical basis of the study consisted of a survey of 19 teachers of FSDH. Methods of descriptive statistics and content analysis were applied. The analysis showed that traditional methods (lectures, discussions) dominate in teaching practice, while role-playing games, quests, and virtual simulations are used significantly less frequently due to the lack of material and technical resources and methodological support. The key problems identified include equipment shortage, low student motivation, and the absence of up-to-date methodological guidelines. Despite the regular organization of additional militarypatriotic activities, only a small number of students demonstrate a steady interest in military service, which indicates the need to revise the content and forms of the subject. The theoretical significance of the study lies in clarifying the role of simulation and game-based technologies as a comprehensive didactic mechanism that integrates cognitive, practical, and motivational components of learning. The findings are consistent with D. Kolb’s experiential learning concept, confirming the importance of combining theory with active experimentation for the formation of sustainable skills. The practical significance of the study is determined by the possibility of applying the obtained results in the development of modernization programs for the FSDH course, updating methodological materials, and improving teachers’ qualifications. In particular, the need for equipping educational institutions with specialized training simulators, virtual simulation tools, and personal protective equipment is substantiated, along with strengthening partnerships with military and rescue organizations. The implementation of these recommendations will improve the effectiveness of teaching FSDH, overcome the gap between theory and practice, and foster students’ readiness for actions in risky conditions, thus ensuring a high level of personal and collective security.