Serious Games to Build Teens' Financial Capability

by on 3 September, 2007 - 16:33

Via: Caspian LearningCaspian Learning™ has signed an agreement with Experian, the global information services company, to develop a 3D computer game that will help 14 – 16 year olds to avoid the pitfalls of debt and become more financially capable.Students from three test schools in Bristol, Nottingham and Sunderland are working with Caspian Learning™, global leaders in the use of simulations and games to solve learning issues, to develop the game using its authoring engine Thinking Worlds™.

Serious Games developing financial awareness

Traditionally, engaging young people on the subject of money management is difficult, so the 3D game is designed to capture students’ imagination and encourage them to actively engage in the subject matter.Although the game hasn't been launched yet, it is expected that it will be made available to every teenager in the UK as a free download for teens and schools to access, play and share.

Graeme Duncan, COO, Caspian Learning™ comments: “Learning-based games are the perfect tool for getting teenagers involved in financial capability, without it being an onerous task. Games can bring almost any topic to life by immersing a student in an interactive 3D world.”Jill Stevens, Experian’s Director of Consumer Affairs, says: “It’s crucial to help young people understand how money works without preaching at them. This project is an important part of Experian’s very busy consumer education programme.”About Experian

Experian is a global leader in providing information, analytical and marketing services to organisations and consumers to help manage the risk and reward of commercial and financial decisions.They employ around 15,500 people in 36 countries, supporting clients in more than 65 countries. Annual sales are $3.8 billion (£1.9billion/€2.8billion).Experian Group Limited is listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index. Their corporate headquarters are in Dublin, Ireland and they have operational headquarters in Costa Mesa, California and Nottingham, UK.About Caspian LearningCaspian Learning has combined best practice in learning and memory, based on years of cognitive thinking research, with 3D computer gaming technologies. This has resulted in the development of their Thinking Worlds™ authoring engine.With a “robust” library of 3D environments and 3D characters, it is now feasible for HR departments with tight budgets to create games to suit their organization’s needs.Furthermore, the flexibility of Thinking Worlds means that trainers can edit any aspect of a game, keeping it up-to-date and extending its life indefinitely. This has obvious benefits in terms of cost, but also means that the game addresses training needs on a granular level.

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