02/05 (SYNCH): PAYBACK - Next Gen Personal Finance

 

Featured in the New York Times, our paying-for-college game PAYBACK has been played by over 150,000 students in just 3 months since launch! Teachers are saying, “It was an amazing game. All of my students were so highly engaged that it was time to go to lunch and none of them wanted to leave," AND "They loved that the game made them confront the money challenges of college but also helped them build the skills to survive and thrive.”  

Here is how to play (Yes, This is a class assignment as well):

PAYBACK STUDENT WORKSHEET (CLICK HERE)

Students Play PAYBACK (Click Here)

A single game-play takes 15-20 minutes, but you may also use a full 50-minute period by playing the game more than once.  Make sure when you start you vary the GPA, ExtraCurriculars, and State to see if you get different choices.  This can be more realistic than you think.

DISCUSSION AT HOME:

"How could you use the online game, PAYBACK, to have a conversation with your parent/guardian about paying for college?"

Think about the following ideas and talk to your family about what you learned while you completed this simulation:

• Have an understanding of key concepts learned by playing the game PAYBACK.
• Address concerns their parents/guardians may have about this sensitive topic. 
• Take a creative approach to engaging parents/guardians in a conversation about college. 

Make sure you click FILE and MAKE A COPY of your Worksheet.   You need to SHARE it with Mr. S for credit using harvey.scribner@techfreire.org

ACADEMIC/LEARNING OBJECTIVE

Scholars will use the online simulation "PAYBACK" to begin learning about the basics of how the choices they make for higher education can affect them financially.  This simulation, and associated standards for this assignment, will help them meet PA CEW Academic Standards, and also help students hone their skills for writing and information retention after participating in the simulation.  Students should reflect on this simulation, and use it as a prompt for conversation at home about the real costs associated with higher education, careers, and their future choices.

Scholars will follow all directions log into their Google Account and then begin working on the NexGen Personal Finance Simulator (PAYBACK).  Scholars will spend 15-20 minutes completing the simulation.  When complete, scholars will make a copy of the completed worksheet and share it with Mr. S for credit.