GoVenture Instructor Guide



This instructor guide provides directions and suggestions for using GoVenture in a course or training program.


1. About GoVenture
2. Getting Started

3. Learning How to Play
4. Saving and Resuming Progress
5. Restarting a Simulation
6. Removing and Reassigning Student Accounts

7. Time Required
8. Performance Evaluation and Grading

9. Language Skills
10. Competition and Awards

11. Activity List

12. Accessibility for People with Disabilities

 

 

 


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1. About GoVenture

 

GoVenture consists of the resources described below.

 

Visit GoVentureLife.com to log in

 

 

 

RESOURCES

A detailed tutorial video is available that describes all of the resources below and how they can best be used

Watch Tutorial Video

TIME

Simulation

A highly interactive Simulation game that enables students to directly experience personal financial literacy and investing. Instructors can assign students to play short activities or the full Simulation. Instructors can also choose to have students play an investment-only Simulation.

Play Life & Money Simulation

 

A variation of the Life & Money simulation that is fully accessible for users who are blind or visually impaired is available as the Your Story Simulation (see below).

Can be played for a few hours or dozens of hours. Multiple simulations with different objectives can be played at the same time.

Learning Guide

A comprehensive online guide with text, examples, and figures that explain all the fundamental topics of personal financial literacy and investing. The Learning Guide can be viewed at any time by students and instructors. Direct links to specific topics are also included at the bottom of every screen in the Simulation, making it easy for students to find support information while they play the Simulation.

View Learning Guide

Contains over 70,000 words (equivalent to a 300-page book) and provides comprehensive coverage to support a full curriculum.

Your Story Simulation

An engaging text-only story-based simulation. The ideal first activity to introduce students to basic financial literacy concepts. Also serves as an alternative to the Life & Money Simulation for users who are blind or visually impaired.

Play YOUR STORY Simulation

Requires 1.5 to 2 hours to complete. Automatically saves and resumes progress so that it can be played over multiple short sessions. 

eWorkbook

An online workbook that introduces students to the basics of life and money. Content is presented in an easy-to-read summary format, supported with brief practice exercises at the end of each section (which must be completed correctly to continue). Ideal activity to start student learning (after or instead of the Your Story Simulation).

View eWorkbook

An accessible version of the eWorkbook (but without interactive activities) is available as an Adobe PDF file - Download the Accessible eWorkbook (you must be logged in as an instructor to access this PDF file).

Requires 2 to 5 hours to complete. Automatically saves and resumes progress so that it can be played over multiple short sessions. 

Activities ONLINE

Activities that allow students to learn and practice important financial concepts. These activities must be turned ON by the instructor. Once ON, students can play the Activities by logging in to GoVenture. Instructors can view student input using the Instructor Website. See the bottom of this Instructor Guide for details.

10 Activities. Each Activity requires 15 to 60 minutes to complete.

Activities PDF

Printable Adobe PDF exercises that support the content in the Learning Guide. PDF Activities are available at the bottom of each section in the Learning Guide. See the bottom of this Instructor Guide for details.

Over 70 Activities. Each Activity requires 15 to 60 minutes to complete.

Videos
Videos to enhance student learning – curated from around the world. Hundreds are available. View Videos

Most videos are a few minutes in duration.

Tutorials

Video Tutorials for playing the simulation. The Simulation also includes an in-game tutorial.

View Tutorials

 50 minutes

Curriculum Guide

Helps instructors with course planning. The duration and sequence of GoVenture resources are presented with options for matching 5, 10, 20, 40+, and 110+ hours of curriculum time.

View Curriculum Guide PDF

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Test Bank

Over 300 multiple-choice questions aligned with the main sections of the Learning Guide. The quiz is available in a document where you can copy and paste questions to build your own printable test. Contact us to request the Test Bank.

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Instructor Website

A website that enables instructors to manage GoVenture and their students.

 

 

Students and instructors log in to the same GoVenture website.  Instructor accounts are encoded with additional privileges to provide access to a special dashboard.

 

 

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2. Getting Started

 

Create Your Instructor Account

 

 

Screenshot of the Instructor Dashboard/Website with options for managing a Group

 

Student Accounts


Only one of these two instructions apply to you for Student Accounts:

(A) If you are using the Learner Managed system (primarily for colleges, universities, nonprofits, and businesses), students create their own personal accounts using Subscription Keys purchased from BuyGoVenture.com (or via bookstore). Students manage their own accounts. Give students the Group number you want them to join and your student roster will build automatically as students join your Group.
Use this slide deck to introduce GoVenture to students.

-or-

(B) If you are using the Instructor Managed system (primarily for K-12 schools), review the following information:

 

 

Click here to review how Instructor Managed accounts work for K-12 schools

 

Groups

 

 

 

Screenshot of the Student Dashboard/Website with the three modules turned on (Activities, Investing Simulation, and Life and Money Simulation). If a module is turned OFF, the orange button turns grey and is disabled.

 

 

 

Student Subscriptions and Privacy


GoVenture has two types of subscription systems: Learner Managed and Instructor Managed.

 

Click here to review how Instructor Managed accounts work for K-12 schools

 

Consider Curriculum Time

 

View Curriculum Guide PDF

 

 

About GoVenture

 

To find out more about GoVenture and other educational games and simulations, visit GoVenture.net

 

 



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3. Learning How to Play

 

To learn how to play the SIMULATION:

To learn the concepts of LIFE & MONEY:

 



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4. Saving and Resuming Progress


Student simulation progress is automatically saved online. Students can quit and resume their simulations at any time. Students will automatically continue from where they stopped playing.


If Internet problems arise and saving cannot be done automatically, students will be alerted with a warning message and an option to try saving again.

 

 



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5. Restarting a Simulation


A student can only play any number of Simulations at he same time by using different GROUP numbers.


To allow a student to restart the same Simulation, use the RESET STUDENT option. Resetting a student will delete all progress and performance data for that student, allowing the student to start over. Note that Simulations will always have different results.


If you want to allow a student to play another Simulation without deleting the results of their current Simulation, consider creating a new GROUP. Groups allow you to keep student performance results separated by class, school, region, or any other grouping that you prefer.

 

 



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6. Removing Students


Use the REMOVE STUDENT option to completely remove a student from a GROUP and delete all progress and data for that student. Removing a student is normally only done if a student has joined the wrong GROUP. Note that student accounts cannot be reassigned from one student to another.

 

 



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7. Time Required


Students can take as much time as they want to make decisions in the GoVenture Simulation. There is no clock or time limit, except that an investment or full life and money Simulation can be played for up to 20 simulated years. The number of years is set by the instructor. Each year has 48 weeks (not 52).


How quickly a student will progress through the Simulation will depend on how thoughtful their decisions are and the instructor’s requirement for progress, including Goals to be achieved. For example, the instructor may tell students that they must progress through 1 simulated year within the next 30 minutes, thereby providing students an average of 30 seconds to make their decisions each simulated week.

 

The simulation walk-through tutorial avaiable when a new simulation is first started takes 20 to 30 minutes to complete. This simulation is required for all new students, but if a student has previously completed the tutorial in another simulation group, the student will have the option of quitting the tutorial.

 

The first year of a new simulation may require 30 to 45 minutes to complete (not including the walkthrough tutorial). Each subsequent year will average 30 minutes to complete.

Students should be provided between 20 seconds to 1 minute of decision time for each virtual week, plus any additional time needed to periodically evaluate reports in more depth. For a full 20 years of play, the time required can range from 5 to 15 hours, depending on the simulation settings and student pace.

 

View Curriculum Guide PDF



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8. Performance Evaluation and Grading

 

SIMULATION

The Simulation provides many metrics for measuring success. All metrics are available to students through the Simulation and detailed Performance Report. This same data is automatically made available (in real-time) to the instructor through the Instructor Website (there is no need for students to print or manually submit reports). A Simulation can be set up with specific life and money goals that students must achieve, and this can form the basis of a grading rubric. Goals are added when a new Group is created. The Curriculum Guide describes how goals can be added to a simulation and how points can be awarded to students for achieving the stated goals. View Curriculum Guide PDF

 

eWORKBOOK

The eWorkbook requires students to read a section and then successfully complete a brief practice exercise. Each exercise can be repeated until successful. Attempts are not recorded or graded. Students that have fully completed the eWorkbook have demonstrated some level of competency in the subject matter. Instructors can monitor student progress using the Instructor Website which will show the percentage completed from 0 to 100%. Note — a student account only has access to one eWorkbook that is common across all Groups. In other words, there is not a separate eWorkbook for each Group. Students can play this activity without joining a Group Number, but they must join a Group Number for the Instructor to see their progress under Performance Reports. The eWorkbook cannot be reset.

 

YOUR STORY SIMULATION

This is a good introductory learning resource but it does not have any assessment included within it. Students read through the story and make a few simple choices. Instructors can monitor student progress using the Instructor Website which will show the percentage completed from 0 to 100%. Instructors may consider having a discussion or debrief with students about the experience. Note — a student account only has access to one Your Story Simulation that is common across all Groups. In other words, there is not a separate Your Story Simulation for each Group. Students can play this activity without joining a Group Number, but they must join a Group Number for the Instructor to see their progress under Performance Reports. The Your Story Simulation cannot be reset.

 

LEARNING GUIDE

The Learning Guide can be used to learn about subject matter and as a reference, but has no grading system. The PDF Activities can be used to assess and grade students on the subject matter.

 

ONLINE & PDF ACTIVITIES

The instructor can determine the grading system to use for the Activities based on the number of Activities that will be assigned and other resources that will be used in the curriculum. Scoring rubrics for the Activities are provided here: Read and Write ACTIVITY Rubric and Listen and Speak ACTIVITY Rubric (Adobe PDF)

 

SAMPLE GRADING RUBRIC

 

ITEM GOAL GRADE 100%
eWorkbook and Your Story Simulation Completion 20
Activities Online - Mo's Profile Completion and accuracy (1 point per Activity) 10
Activities Online - Student Profile Completion (1/2 point per Activity) 5
Activities PDF Completion and accuracy (Points based on number of Activities assigned) 20
Simulation 1 (Practice) Life Goals Points (Use "Practice" Life Goals List) 5
Simulation 2 Life Goals Points (25-35% based on completion with the remainder on achieving other Life Goals) 15
Simulation 3 Life Goals Points (25-35% based on completion, with the remainder on achieving other Life Goals) 15
Tests   10

 


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9. Language Skills


   Using GoVenture to Develop Language Skills (Adobe PDF) 

 



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10. Competition and Awards


GoVenture allows you to hold competitions by comparing student performance results.
Awarding prizes to the winners is always a great motivator. Prizes should be announced at the beginning of the competition, and could be simple inexpensive gifts or even extra marks.

 



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11. Activity List

 

There are two types of Activities - ONLINE and PDF:

 

 

The tables below provide a summary list of each Activity. Each activity is numbered for easy reference.

 

 

See Performance Evaluation and Grading for language skill development and grading rubrics.

 

 

 

ONLINE ACTIVITY

     DESCRIPTION

About Online Activities

Completed Activities with Mo's Profile for Instructors (Adobe PDF)

You must be logged in as an instructor to download the above file.

1. Life Plan

Build your short-term and long-term life plan by adding goals to a visual calendar.

2. My Money Profile

Consider the type of lifestyle you want to have and how comfortable you are with taking financial risks to achieve your goals.

3. Net Worth

Build a Net Worth statement - an indicator of your personal wealth.

4. Budget & Cash Flow

Add up all the money you receive each month and subtract all the money you pay out.

5. Buy & Sell

Discover the cost of common products and how they may lose monetary value over time.

6. Job Income

Determine how much money you can earn with a job, minus employment deductions and taxes.

7. Career & Education

Determine the financial benefits and costs of education for a specific job.

8. Loans

Calculate various loan options. 

9. Investment & ROI

Calculate the Return On Investment (ROI) of various investment options.

10. Retirement

Determine how much money you may need when you retire.

 

 

 

 

 

 
LEARNING GUIDE SECTION

     PDF ACTIVITY

PDF Activities for students
are available at the bottom
of each section of the
Learning Guide

Completed Activities (Answer Key) for Instructors (Adobe PDF)

You must be logged in as an instructor to download the above file.

1. You

01D1 Define Key Terms | You

01K1 Knowledge Test | Setting Goals

01K2 Knowledge Test | Needs and Wants

2. Your Personal Finances

02D1 Define Key Terms | Your Personal Finances

02L1 Listen & Speak | Your Personal Finances

02R1 Read & Write | Compensation from Employment

02K1 Knowledge Test | Net Worth

02K2 Knowledge Test | Cash Flow & Income

3. Your Assets

03D1 Define Key Terms | Assets

03L1 Listen & Speak | Assets

4. Your Liabilities

04D1 Define Key Terms | Liabilities

04L1 Listen & Speak | Liabilities

04R1 Read & Write | Liabilities

5. Your Lifestyle

05D1 Define Key Terms | Your Lifestyle

05K1 Knowledge Test | Own vs Rent a Home

05K2 Knowledge Test | Own vs Lease a Car

6. Managing Your Assets and Liabilities

06D1 Define Key Terms | Managing Your Assets and Liabilities

06L1 Listen & Speak | Managing Your Assets and Liabilities

06R1 Read & Write | Managing Your Assets and Liabilities

06R2 Read & Write | Estate Planning Tools

06R3 Read & Write | Impact of Unplanned Spending

06K1 Knowledge Test | Charitable Giving

06K2 Knowledge Test | The Financial System

06K3 Knowledge Test | Retirement

06K4 Knowledge Test | Budget

06K5 Knowledge Test | Cash Management Tools

7. Key Investment Concepts

07D1 Define Key Terms | Key Investment Concepts

07L1 Listen & Speak | Key Investment Concepts

07R1 Read & Write | Key Investment Concepts

8. Making Your Money Grow

08D1 Define Key Terms | Making Your Money Grow

08L1 Listen & Speak | Making Your Money Grow

08R1 Read & Write | Making Your Money Grow

9. The Investment Timetable

09D1 Define Key Terms | The Investment Timetable

09L1 Listen & Speak | The Investment Timetable

09R1 Read & Write | The Investment Timetable

10. Calculating the ROI

10D1 Define Key Terms | Calculating the ROI

10L1 Listen & Speak | Calculating the ROI

10R1 Read & Write | Calculating the ROI

11. Banking

11D1 Define Key Terms | Banking

11L1 Listen & Speak | Banking

11R1 Read & Write | Evaluate Savings Options

11K1 Knowledge Test | Reconcile Bank Statement

11K2 Knowledge Test | Write Checks

11K3 Knowledge Test | Debit and Credit Cards

12. Money Market Instruments

12D1 Define Key Terms | Money Market Instruments

 

13. Bonds

13D1 Define Key Terms | Bonds

13L1 Listen & Speak | Bonds

14. Stocks

14D1 Define Key Terms | Stocks

14L1 Listen & Speak | Stocks

15. Mutual Funds

15D1 Define Key Terms | Mutual Funds

15L1 Listen & Speak | Mutual Funds

16. Other Equity Investments

16D1 Define Key Terms | Other Equity Investments

 

17. Annuities and Tyeps of Life Insurance as Investments 17D1 Define Key Terms | Annuities and Types of Life Insurance as Investments
18. Insuring and Protecting

18D1 Define Key Terms | Insuring and Protecting

18R1 Read & Write | Apply Risk Management Strategies

18K1 Knowledge Test | Consumer Protection

18K2 Knowledge Test | Automobile Insurance

18K3 Knowledge Test | Types, Benefits, Costs of Insurance

19. Credit and Borrowing

19D1 Define Key Terms | Credit and Borrowing

19L1 Listen & Speak | Bankruptcy

19R1 Read & Write | Costs of Borrowing

19K1 Knowledge Test | Credit Worthiness

19K2 Knowledge Test | Credit Decisions

19K3 Knowledge Test | Credit Report and Score

19K4 Knowledge Test | Alternative Methods of Payment

20. Education and Training

20D1 Define Key Terms | Education and Training

20K1 Knowledge Test | Paying for a Postsecondary Education

20K2 Knowledge Test | Comparing the Costs of Education

21. Taxes

21D1 Define Key Terms | Taxes

22D1 Define Key Terms | Managing a Paycheck and Taxes

 

22K1 Knowledge Test | Analysing a Pay Stub

22. Managing a Paycheck and Taxes

22D1 Define Key Terms | Managing a Paycheck and Taxes

22K1 Knowledge Test | Analysing a Pay Stub

23. Playing the Simulation

 

 
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 



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12. Accessibility for People With Disabilities

 

 

Individual GoVenture resources may be accessible to students with disabilities, depending on the type and degree of disability.

 

A GoVenture Accessibility Guide is available that identifies the requirements of each GoVenture resource (see link below). When students log in to GoVenture, they are given the option of navigating to the REGULAR version or the ACCESSIBLE version for people with disabilities. If they choose the ACCESSIBLE version, they will be directed to a basic webpage that only lists the GoVenture resources that are fully 100% accessible for all types and degree of disability (hearing, vision, and physical). Note that instructor logins will always navigate to the REGULAR version even if the ACCESSIBLE version is chosen from the dropdown.

 

Depending on the degree of disability, a student may capable of playing additional GoVenture resources that are not listed on the ACCESSIBLE webpage. Playing additional GoVenture resources may provide the student with a richer and more comprehensive learning experience. To access the full list of GoVenture resources, a student can log in to GoVenture by choosing to view the REGULAR version instead of the ACCESSIBLE version — instructor assistance may be required.

 

Instructors are encouraged to work with students with disabilities to identify which additional GoVenture resources may work for best them.

 

View the GoVenture Accessibility Guide

 

View the ACCESSIBLE webpage that students have access to