Gamification in education is a rising trend, and I am excited about it. The market is expected to reach over $30 billion by 2025 (Source). Given this significant rise, I decided to explore some business games that teachers could use to teach the next generation of entrepreneurs and investors. And I found some pretty great finds.
These business games provide an excellent way for students to learn business skills. Students can engage in activities like managing virtual companies and participating in simulated stock trading.
Further, by offering a risk-free environment, these games can facilitate the development of students’ entrepreneurial mindset and financial acumen.
And I can’t forget to mention that there are plenty of stats citing their impact:
So, what are you waiting for? Below are some of the games that I found while researching. From simulation to stock traders to card games, there are plenty of interesting games to discover.
Are you more interested in entrepreneurial games? Check out our list of great entrepreneurship games.
Products: The Card Game teaches students how to pitch and invent products. The game is easy to play. Every round, an investor draws a Product card. Then, all the players have a handful of Feature cards to pitch as additions to the Product. By combining the cards, you end up pitching products like a “television for your BBQ set.” And it gets intense! Expect much shouting and arguing as people give their case to the investor.
Why I like it: It’s a quick and fun way to teach the class about inventing and entrepreneurship while being goofy. And it’s all in-person, so there are no phone and laptop screens to play.
This classic board game teaches students to manage finances, make strategic decisions, and understand investments.
Why I like it: It’s a classic! Most students will already know how to play, and it is a great way to learn about business basics in a fun and interactive way.
In this simulation game, students can build and manage their own virtual city, making decisions about zoning, infrastructure, and budgeting.
Why I like it: It’s a great way to learn about urban planning and economic development.
This simple online game allows students to run their own virtual lemonade stand, learning about pricing, marketing, and inventory management.
Why I like it: It’s a fun introduction to the basics of entrepreneurship.
This business simulation game allows students to run their virtual company, making production, marketing, and finance decisions.
Why I like it: It’s an exciting way to learn about the complexities of running a business in a competitive market.
The Stock Market Game allows students to simulate investing in the stock market. They can learn about the basics of trading, risk management, and portfolio diversification. I think it is an excellent pick for financial-minded students!
Why I like it: I find this game great for students with a knack for financial concepts.
In this mobile game, students can build and manage their virtual retail store, learning about customer service, inventory management, and marketing.
Why I like it: I think it is an excellent way to learn about the retail industry.
In this simulation game, students can run their virtual airline, making decisions about routes, pricing, and fleet management.
Why I like it: I love how this simulation game allows students to run their virtual airline,
This simulation game allows students to run their virtual coffee shop, learning about customer service, menu planning, and budgeting.
Why I like it: I think it is a great way to learn about the food and beverage industry.
In this simulation game, students can create and manage their virtual businesses, from restaurants to fashion boutiques, to see how they fare in the competitive market. Of course, this is only one aspect of the entire Sims game.
Why I like it: I’m excited about The Sims because in the game, students can create and manage virtual businesses, such as restaurants and fashion boutiques, giving them a firsthand taste of the competitive market. However, the game is probably unsuitable for a class environment, as the business component is only a piece of the larger game.
Test your business skills by designing and managing your own amusement park, from setting ticket prices to hiring staff and keeping customers happy.
Why I like it: I love this simulation game because it lets students explore their creativity and decision-making skills in managing their amusement park.
Step into the shoes of a game developer and build your own successful gaming company by creating and releasing hit games while managing finances and marketing strategies.
Why I like it: I’m drawn to Game Dev Tycoon because it realistically portrays the challenges faced by game developers, such as adapting to genre trends and achieving critical acclaim.
This complex business simulation game challenges players to build and expand their own business empire, from manufacturing to retail, while navigating economic trends and competition.
Why I like it: I like how comprehensive the game is and how it provides insights into the complexities of running a business.
Manage and expand a railway empire by building tracks, purchasing locomotives, and making strategic decisions to outmaneuver competitors and dominate the transportation industry.
Why I like it: I enjoy how in-depth they went into the railroad industry, and it makes me feel like I am a robber-barron or some mid-century railroad titan.
Test your business acumen by managing a hospital, from hiring staff and treating patients to balancing budgets and expanding facilities to keep the hospital running smoothly.
Why I like it: I thought this one was very interesting, especially from a managerial perspective.
Build and manage your own zoo by creating habitats, caring for animals, and attracting visitors to generate revenue and grow your business in this fun and engaging simulation game.
Why I like it: What is there not to like about Zoos! It’s a pretty fun game.
Experience the challenges of running a successful restaurant business, from designing menus and managing staff to dealing with food critics and competing with rival eateries to become a culinary mogul.
Why I like it: This is probably one of the more challenging ones. Good thing I am a good cook.
This online investing game offers a realistic stock market simulation with virtual trading, research tools, and educational resources. Players can compete in leagues and challenges to hone their investing skills.
Why I like it: I enjoy the realism. It is kind of like fantasy football for investing.
In this game, players are tasked with building and growing their tech startup, from hiring employees to developing new products and securing funding.
Why I like it: As someone who has been in startups, I can appreciate the attention to detail in this game.
In this game, players start their businesses and must navigate challenges such as competition, market fluctuations, and employee management.
Why I like it: This is a very general and old game. I included it in the picks for nostalgia.
Players take on the role of a budding entrepreneur in the early 20th century, building and managing their industrial empire.
Why I like it: This game is really fun. However, it has a bit of a learning curve, and I am not sure how to incorporate it into my classes.
This game challenges players to design and manage a skyscraper, making decisions on everything from tenant selection to building maintenance.
Why I like it: Real estate is an exciting thing to try out and play around with.
Players run their game development studio, managing everything from hiring staff to marketing their games to success.
Why I like it: Okay. Running a game development studio is a lot of fun but also a lot of work. I enjoyed all the challenges. I think students could learn a lot from the game.
In this game, players act like a medieval merchant, buying and selling goods to build a successful trading empire.
Why I like it: I liked how it took me back in time. It showcases almost the beginnings of trading and markets. The game might be good for an economic class.
Investopedia offers a free stock market simulator that allows players to practice trading stocks, options, and other securities in a risk-free environment. It’s a great way to learn about investing and test out different strategies.
Why I like it: This game is fantastic for a personal finance class. It is a risk-free brokerage account, and they have this challenge where you can try to beat Warren Buffet.
MarketWatch’s virtual stock exchange game allows players to trade stocks, options, and mutual funds using real-time market data. Players can compete against friends or join public leagues to test their investing prowess.
Why I like it: I think this game would be great for a high school or collegiate class. It is another pick that would be fun, like a Fantasy football league.
Wealthbase is a social investing game that allows players to create virtual investment clubs with friends or join public leagues to compete against others. Players can trade stocks, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies to see who can build the most profitable portfolio.
Why I like it: I have always wondered if students could form finance or investing clubs in high school. Instead of trading $100 on a small brokerage and putting it all into meme stocks, I bet they could have fun doing group portfolio-building.
Interested in more innovation activities? Check out our recent review of some of the top innovation activities.
Business games for students are interactive simulations designed to mimic real-world business scenarios. They allow students to play the role of entrepreneurs, managers, or investors and make decisions that affect the success of their virtual ventures.
Business games offer numerous benefits for students. They provide hands-on experience in key business concepts such as decision-making, strategic planning, financial management, and teamwork. Additionally, these games encourage critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity in a risk-free environment.
Many business games are designed to accommodate various age groups and skill levels. Some games offer simplified mechanics and tutorials for beginners, while others provide more complex simulations for advanced players. Educators can choose games that align with their students’ proficiency levels and learning objectives.
Absolutely! Many educators incorporate business games into their curriculum to enhance learning outcomes. These games can be used as supplementary tools to reinforce classroom lessons in business studies, economics, finance, and entrepreneurship. They can also be used for group activities, projects, or competitions to promote student collaboration and engagement.
Business games are available on various platforms, including computers, tablets, and smartphones. Some games can be downloaded as apps from app stores, while others are accessible through web browsers. Additionally, educational institutions may have subscriptions to gaming platforms or provide access to specific games through their learning management systems.
While some business games may require a one-time purchase or subscription fee, many educational versions are free or discounted for students and educators. Additionally, students can often access trial or limited-feature versions at no cost. Educators should explore different options to find games that fit their budget constraints.
Before integrating business games into the curriculum, educators should evaluate the content and features of each game to ensure alignment with specific learning objectives and educational standards. They can also develop lesson plans, assignments, or assessments that complement the game experience and reinforce key concepts covered in the game.
Educators should prioritize student safety and privacy when using business games in the classroom. It’s essential to choose reputable games from trusted developers or educational platforms that comply with data protection regulations and provide secure access for students. Additionally, educators should establish clear guidelines for online interactions and monitor students’ usage to ensure a safe and positive learning environment.
To maximize the learning potential of business games, students should actively engage with the game’s features, experiment with different strategies, and reflect on their decisions and outcomes. They can also collaborate with peers, participate in discussions, and seek guidance from educators to deepen their understanding of business concepts and improve their gameplay skills.
Looking for more? Check out our list of easy entrepreneurial activities
The post Business Games to Try With Your Students appeared first on Due.
login
who are we?
contact us
qosheapp
Toi Staff
Gideon Levy
Belen Fernandez
Andrew Mitrovica
Mort Laitner
Rami G Khouri
Ali Fathollah-Nejad
Nikkei Editorial
visit website
