Previously, students submitted written decisions to the instructor who entered the data and ran the simulation on a mainframe computer. The turnaround time for this process was typically 3 days and generated about 1200 sheets of paper per quarter of play. The new process reduced the turnaround time to 30 minutes and eliminated the need for instructor-supplied paper. The Game provides a risk-free introduction to the American economy and the world of finance and investing. It is designed to help students and adults understand the stock market, the costs and benefits involved in decision-making, the sources and uses of capital and other related economic concepts.
Players buy, sell, short sell, or buy on margin any day the market is open.
Transactions were originally made on scan sheets and mailed in to a state Stock Market Game Coordinator for processing. Now the Game can be played via the Internet. There is a minimal fee to play but to facilitate group learning and reduce cost students may play in teams. Portfolios of stocks show the current value of holdings. In an educational environment where learning involves understanding theoretical concepts, activities must be carefully selected, properly introduced, and debriefed.