About

 

Stock Market Challenge is an interactive, experiential learning tool which brings the unique intensity and excitement of a live trading floor into the classroom.

Students, working in teams, buy and sell as if they are market traders or fund managers on a real stock exchange trading floor or dealing room.

This unique collaborative learning resource has been designed to assist the development of four cross-curricular areas: skills, enterprise, financial capability and work-related learning. It's also a valuable resource for teachers of Maths, Business Studies, Economics, ICT and the new Diplomas. It meets many of the core objectives of the 14-19 Curriculum.

The resource fulfils students' growing expectations of game-based learning and can be used for a range of classroom and whole year group activities. It is particularly suitable for enterprise education activities across the 14-19 age range.

The fact that the game is simulated and time-pressured makes the learning experience effective and rewarding, and it enhances the development of skills such as team-working and communication.

How the game works

Stock Market Challenge is a competitive, team-based game Two games are provided: the Dealing Room game, and the Trading Floor game, so that it can be adapted to suit different learning environments.

Players, in teams of three or four, with each player in a different role, trade in nine fictitious companies and in the US dollar through a mini-week in the life of a market.

As they trade, teams receive news reports about their investments from TV and radio news bulletins and a news website. Players have to analyse this information and make their investment decisions accordingly.

As the clock ticks down to the end of the trading day, with prices changing frequently, the pressure is on players to make the right investment decisions at the right time.

Each trading day runs from 8.00 to 16.00, lasting around 20 minutes in real time. There are two versions of the game, allowing it to be run both within the timetable, over several lessons, or as an off-timetable activity for larger groups.

The different roles in the game are Finance Manager, Investment Analyst and Media Analyst. Each role requires a different set of skills, making the game ideal for mixed ability groups of students.

"A superb resource, suitable for all abilities. Great for teamwork."
Dave Rooney
Raising Attainment Co-ordinator
Cedar Mount High School

"A great resource. Stock Market Challenge is suitable for different year groups and different stages."
Shanead Friel
Business Studies
St. Columba's High School