This document discusses teaching personal finance concepts through games. It begins by outlining the workshop objectives of discussing benefits of game-based learning, game-playing personalities, and describing over 20 interactive personal finance games. It then discusses why gaming is effective for learning as it increases student engagement and motivation. Benefits of gaming include increased memory, problem-solving skills, and motivation to learn. The document provides examples of both low-tech and digital games that can be used and adapted for classroom learning. It concludes by having participants choose some games to try incorporating into their teaching.

1. PF SMS iconsPF SMS icons
1
Teaching
Personal Finance
Through Games
Barbara O’Neill, Ph.D., CFP®
Rutgers Cooperative Extension

2. Workshop Objectives
• Discuss benefits of game-based learning
• Discuss game-playing personalities
• Describe 20+ interactive personal finance games
• Provide an opportunity for participants to share games
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3. This Session is Like a New
Jersey Diner Menu: You Need to
Pick and Choose!
3Photo taken by Barbara O’Neill

4. Why Gaming?
• An engaged student is motivated to learn
• Philosopher Fred Newman called student
engagement a “psychological investment in learning.”
4
Newmann, F.M., Wehlage, G.G. & Lamborn, S. (1992). The significance and sources
of student engagement. In F. Newmann (Ed.), Student Engagement and
Achievement in American Secondary Schools. New York: Teachers’ College Press.

5. Why Gaming?
• Complex problems threaten our world today
• We don’t often ask students to solve real-world
problems
• Education systems are not adequately nurturing
students’ innate creativity
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Source: Dr. Katy Blatnick-Gagne, Texas Tech University

6. Benefits of Teaching With Games
• Increases students’ memory capacity
• Fosters fast strategic thinking and problem-solving
• Builds computer skills
• Develops hand-eye coordination
• Skill-building tasks (e.g. map reading)
• Increases students’ motivation to learn
• Increases class cooperation and teamwork
• Makes learning about personal finance fun!
https://www.teachthought.com/technology/6-basic-benefits-of-game-based-learning/
https://www.teachstarter.com/us/blog/10-benefits-playing-games-classroom-us/
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7. Classroom Adaptations of
Games
• NOT an “add on”: Learning comes from playing the
game (deeper understanding of content)
• Games can be digital or non-digital
• Games may incorporate badges and awards
• Experience points (XPs) may be used as a
substitute for traditional grades
• Teacher should ALWAYS play a game before using
it with students- YOU must think it is fun!
7Source: Dr. Katy Blatnick-Gagne, Texas Tech University

8. Features of Well-Designed
Educational Games
• Goal-focused activity
• Reward mechanisms
• Progress-tracking
• Easily understandable rules
Source: Dr. Katy Blatnick-Gagne, Texas Tech University 8

9. Why People Play Games
9Source: Dr. Katy Blatnick-Gagne, Texas Tech University

10. Game-Playing Personalities
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https://en.wikip

11. What is YOUR
Gaming Personality?
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Online Assessment: http://matthewbarr.co.uk/bartle/

12. Low Tech (Non-Digital) Games
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13. Financial Education Bingo
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14. Acrostics
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15. Poems
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16. Polarity Activity
• There is no “wrong” answer as long as you can
defend it (“it depends”)
Examples:
• Need vs. Want?
• Yes vs. No?
• Agree vs. Disagree?
• Buy it vs. Don’t buy it?
• Big tax refund vs. Small tax refund?
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17. “Paper Bag Theater”
• Give small groups a bag full of “stuff” to make a 2-3
minute financial education skit with
– Pens/sharpies to write with, paper, scissors, tape, etc.
– A Frisbee can become a “car steering wheel”
– Credit card applications, newspaper ads, etc.
• Learners can add other items in their possession
• Allow 30-45 minutes of skit “prep time”
• Learners present their skits to the large group
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18. Mill to the Music
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Source: Building Your Programs 20 Minutes at a Time: Leadership and Reflection
Activities You Can Use, University of Minnesota Extension (2010).

19. Reality Simulation:
The Bean Game
http://extension.missouri.edu/BSF/money/BeanGame_color.pdf
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20. Reality Simulation:
Welcome to Retirement
https://store.extension.iastate.edu/Product/sp243-pdf
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21. High Tech (Digital) Games
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22. PowerPoint Games
Jeopardy! Millionaire Game
22http://rci.rutgers.edu/~boneill/review/index.html

23. Puzzlemaker
http://www.puzzle-maker.com/
•Can make a word search puzzle or crossword puzzle
•Basic features are free
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24. Ignite Presentations (a.k.a.,
“Lightening Rounds”)
• 20 slides, 15 second advances, 5-minute talks
• Template master: http://www.ignitephoenix.com/tips/
• Turn it into a competition with “required elements”
and prizes
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25. Spent
http://playspent.org/
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26. Payback
https://www.timeforpayback.com/
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27. STAX
https://buildyourstax.com/
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28. Shady Sam
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https://shadysam.com/ Welcome to your first day of work
at Shady Sam’s.
Your job is to make as much
money as possible off the backs of
hard-working Americans.
How?
By issuing loans that make us a
hefty profit. When lenders make
money, borrowers lose.
Shady Sam is designed to
demonstrate how loan terms can
hurt you if you don't pay attention.

29. Kahoot!
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30. Quizlet and Quizizz
NGPF Quiz Games Library:
https://www.ngpf.org/quiz-games-library/
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31. Financial Football and Soccer
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https://www.financialfootball.com/
https://www.practicalmoneyskil
ls.com/play/financial_soccer

32. Gen i Revolution
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http://www.genirevolution.org/

33. The Stock Market Game
https://www.stockmarketgame.org/
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34. Other Games (Costs Vary)
• Monopoly board game: https://monopoly.hasbro.com/en-us
• The Game of Life board game:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Game_of_Life
• Payday board game:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pay_Day_(board_game)
• Money Habitudes for Teens: http://shop.moneyhabitudes.com/money-
habitudes-for-teens/
• Cashflow 101 board game: https://www.richdad.com/apps-
games/cashflow-boardgame
• Sand Dollar City: http://www.sanddollarcity.com/
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35. It’s Now Time to Order From
the “NJ Diner Menu”:
Pick a Few Games to Try
35Photo taken by Barbara O’Neill

36. Questions and
Comments?
boneill@njaes.Rutgers.edu
@moneytalk1 on Twitter