Digital Games Evolve as Tools For Teaching Financial Literacy
By Katie Ash
Education Week; Pg. 8; November 18, 2009
Article # 4
During this financial recession that we are currently involved in, students K thru12, are
being taught about math and finance through the help of digital games. Although students often
are not taught about finance at early ages, teachers are incorporating financial lesson plans into
the curriculum. Years ago, finance was taught through in class lectures, however research has
proven that practical work with money, income, and budgets encourage students to better
understand finance.
Kids learn better in digital environments and digital games have been created to
encourage practical use of the lessons being taught. MoneyU, a digital financial game created to
teach and test student’s financial understandings, has been incorporated into classrooms
throughout the country. This program, which consists of over 120 different lessons and takes 3-5
minutes to complete, teaches kids about credit card use, creating and adhering to budgets,
financial planning, banking and saving lessons, and more. Money U has been designed to keep
students entertained and involved while learning about the finance.
Money U is just one program used to help students learn about financial management.
The Stock Market Game, a digital game about trading stocks, budgets money to purchase stocks,
and managing money that is tied up in stocks, has been used to teach high school students about
financial responsibilities and stocks. Another game has been developed to teach students about
budgeting their money while buying essentials needed to survive like apartments, studios,
houses, food, insurances, and utilities all while balancing a budget and having money left over to
spend on luxuries.
Students at a young age can gather the sense and direction needed to learn about financial
management through the use of online games and video tutorials. Most of these programs
include tests after the completion of each lesson so that the student can apply the knowledge that
they learned from the games and apply it to real life situations. Creating a budget is an essential
part of any person’s life, and to learn how to apply these lessons at an early age is necessary and
important. These games come with downloadable lessons and curriculum for teachers to use in
their classrooms rather than having to create their own. Teachers, administrators, parents and
students can all agree that the lessons taught and learned through the use of these games give the
students the resources needed to manage their budgets and their lives in these tough economic
times. I believe that these financial games are extremely helpful and applicable in life. As a 24
year old single guy attending graduate school and paying for an apartment and balancing a
budget, I find these online games incredibly useful and practical. Teaching finance to my
students, and incorporating these digital games into the lesson plans will teach both the students
and myself about creating a functional budget and managing your life.