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Developing Financial Literacy Through 3D Training Simulations
Learning the skills needed to successfully manage your money and finances in today’s world is absolutely essential. Unfortunately for many people the only way to learn what works, or more importantly what doesn’t, is by making mistakes. These mistakes can be incredibly costly and may result in long term debt, bankruptcy or problems with having to juggle a multitude of different bills each month.
However, there is a very simple and highly engaging way to allow people to learn about financial management in a safe, effective and absolutely no risk environment. A 3D training simulation can provide the virtual world where learners can how to budget but also how to make adjustments for real world events that may come up that cause a dramatic change in the way that you handle your finances. These events could include the loss of a job, marriage, the birth of a child or medical issues that may end up dramatically changing your budget and financial plans. This training can also be developed to allow an already in debt consumer to come up with a plan that allows the bills to be paid off to avoid the need to go into bankruptcy.
These 3D training simulations are much more effective than reading information, watching videos or having discussions. Depending on how the game is developed it can be much like an online board game that has elements of both learning and trying out the skills. As the learner works through different modules of the game they can earn money for correct answers and creating wealth. This virtual money then becomes an additional part of the money management training, with the option to save, invest, buy a home or pay off credit cards or bills.
The real learning potential of these 3D training simulations is amazing. Learners will not actually be risking real money, but the serious game or simulation can be set up so they face real risks with their virtual bankroll. The game may include potential scams that the learner will experience first hand, helping them to spot these same types of “too good to be true” deals when they are investing their real cash.
Since the participants can experience the actual decision making with their virtual money, there is no risk but still a very important intellectual process since everyone wants to finish the module or training with the largest amount of money. Other simulations may help consumers learn about managing credit cards and credit card debt, developing a realistic and workable household budget or even how to plan for buying a home.
At Designing Digitally, Inc. we have experience in creating 3D training simulations that focus in on developing financial competency and literacy. By combining a simulation that is real world based, much like the video game the Sims, along with strong financial education we can help you create the perfect simulation for your clients, students or e-learners. If you want to take a peak at one project we currently have online check out https://www.findfinancialfreedom.org/. The fun part of the program ensures that the students will stay engaged and will continue to use the simulation until they have mastered the specific financial skills and objectives. Find Financial Freedom was created by Designing Digitally, Inc. in 2011.
A Natural Match: 3D Simulations, Serious Games and the Sports Industry
There are many different opportunities for serious games, 3D simulations and sports industry to work together. This is true for athletes, sports fans, ticket sellers, sports venues and definitely for sports marketers. Although not widely used traditionally in these markets, more and more professionals within the sports industry are waking up to the many marketing and educational opportunities that 3D simulations and serious games can provide.
Training for Athletes
While athletes at the professional level may be gifted physically, they often struggle with the sudden increase in funds that they have when they go pro. The news is full of situations where these stars invest their money without understanding, make bad purchases and generally manage to blow through their paycheck without any savings for a rainy day.
One option to provide support for these athletes in an area that has not likely been a focus in their life is to provide a 3D simulation or serious game that allows them to learn about solid financial management. This simulation would allow them to experience researching and evaluating investments, savings and financial plans in a fun yet very realistic way. They would learn about real life financial concerns without having to make the costly and public mistakes that end up in the newspaper each day. As a matter of fact we actually have a simulation that is free for anyone to use at http://www.findfinancialfreedom.org that will give you a great idea of just how powerful this learning tool will be.
Fans and Tickets
If you are a sports fan you know how frustrating it is to try to look at a flat 2D map and decide if the seats you are choosing are a good deal for the price you are paying. Imagine instead how much easier it would be if you were able to actually walk through the stadium and look at the field from the various seating areas. This would also allow fans to map their way to their seats and to see where other venues including food venders, restrooms and entertainment areas were located within the stadium or facility. Having a 3D virtual world of the stadium or facility will help to boost ticket sales and definitely provide an additional feature other ticket sellers don’t offer. Imagine, as a fan, that you would never have to get to your seat to find you are located behind a support beam or have a limited view of the stage, playing field or action. This alone would make it well worth your while to work with a ticket vendor that had 3D virtual worlds of the various sports or entertainment venues.
Planning and Vision
Team owners, organizations and even public planners can definitely benefit from the use of 3D virtual worlds to help investors and the general public preview planned new facilities. The benefit of being able to take a 3D virtual tour of a new concept for a stadium or sports complex is definitely a selling point. Fans can get onboard with the concept and investors will be able to immediately see just what their investment will produce.
City planners can use the same type of virtual world to determine how a new sports venue will impact traffic flow, surrounding neighborhoods and even how pedestrians will get to and from public transportation hubs to the game or event. Since actually being able to experience the traffic flow in a simulation is so much more relevant than reading data off a spreadsheet there are untold possibilities for use.
At Designing Digitally, Inc. our trained and experienced staff can help you determine just how 3D virtual worlds, simulations and serious games can meet your needs, regardless of your role within the sporting industry.
