Web Game To Test Business Skills Of Students

Web Game To Test Business Skills Of Students

Secondary students will be able to test their skills in a realistic business environment, when a web-based business game launches early next year.

The ‘Venture Capital Game’ provides students with a chance to put the enterprise skills they learn in school into practice. The aim of the game is to develop a portfolio of businesses with a higher net worth than any other participating team. The team with the highest net worth wins. The Venture Capital Game, being developed by The Small Business Company, is funded by Industry New Zealand’s Enterprise Culture and Skills Activities Fund.

Industry New Zealand Communications Manager, Debbie Gee, says the game is designed to be highly interactive and fun to play. “The game will demonstrate business can be exciting. It will also teach students a wide variety of important skills needed to excel in business”.

Topics covered in the game include investment strategies, business plans, the effects of external factors, and competition. Small quizzes throughout the game test students to ensure they have learnt the intended lessons.

“Students will be informed throughout the game of external factors which may affect the success and therefore the attractiveness of their investment businesses. They will be given opportunities to address these issues as they arise. Good decision making will lead to good game scores,” says Ms Gee.

“The Venture Capital Game will involve students from all over the country - enabling them to compete for the national title.

“The website also includes aspirational stories about New Zealand entrepreneurs and how they became successful. It’s very important that young people realise successful entrepreneurs are just as worthy of admiration and celebration as sporting heroes,” says Ms Gee.

Industry New Zealand’s Enterprise Culture and Skills Activities Fund awarded The Small Business Company $114,887 in May this year to assist with the development of the game.

The Enterprise Culture and Skills Activities Fund was set up by Industry New Zealand to help develop a culture that encourages positive attitudes and skills for entrepreneurship, business growth and business success.

The first game will launch in February and will run for seven weeks - directly followed by another game starting at the beginning of August 2003.

© Scoop Media