Technology & Social Studies: Stock Market Simulation Games

     One of the most important things in America’s economy is the stock market.  We know that America’s biggest stock exchange is located in New York City, and that in 1929 there was a “crash” that helped America spiral into the Great Depression.  We have heard of things like the DOW index, but may not be totally sure how it works.  In fact, there are many that may not understand the ins and outs of the stock market, and why it is significant to our economy.  While Social Studies teachers are expected to discuss this in lessons, and many high schools and colleges offer Economics as a class, for many the only way to properly learn about something like the stock market is through first-hand experience, and that is where something like a simulation game can come in handy.

I’ve played the “stock market game” twice before: in 8^th grade, and again in my Junior year of high school (this is something that can be done via websites like www.stockmarketgame.org or www.marketwatch.com, or one can just look at the market on Yahoo Finance; this is up to the teacher).  A participant starts out with a certain amount of money designated by the teacher, and then they make their own decisions regarding which companies they would like to “buy stock” in, and what trades and purchases they would like to make as the game goes on.  At the end of the game, whoever has the highest amount of money is the winner (both times I have played, the game went for a month, but this is up to the teacher). 

This is a great opportunity for one to understand how the market and buying shares in a company works, as this is something they may have interest in doing for themselves at some point.  As they invest shares in particular companies, they grow to understand the potential benefits and pitfalls of investing in stock, as they see how easily one can gain and lose money.  It is a good way of showing a real-life situation in a risk-free and hands-on manner.  It helped me get a better idea of how our economy can work, and I feel it is something that all students would benefit from doing at some point.