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Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS THE ISP?
Junior Achievement (JA)’s Investment
Strategies Program (ISP) is a new on-line learning opportunity,
consisting of learning activities and an on-line stock market
simulation for grade 9/10 students. JA matches the classroom
with a trained volunteer from the financial sector. The role
of the volunteer is to conduct several pre-simulation activities
and coach the students in the on-line stock market simulation.
Also, teachers receive the ISP Teacher’s
Resource which includes units on investment strategies, ethics/philanthropy,
and the world of business.
The online simulation (designed and managed
by Claero Systems, a computer consulting company in Calgary,
Alberta) reinforces the need to increase the use of technology
within the classroom. It is a free, risk-free and educational
look at the stock market and other financial literacy topics.
The simulation is currently offered twice a year in the fall
and spring semesters.
WHY ARE LEARNING AMOUNT
INVESTMENT STRATEGIES IMPORTANT?
Financial literacy is a relevant topic
of interest and is correlated to curriculum standards in mathematics,
economics, business education, CTS (Alberta) and Planning
10 (British Columbia). The ISP will educate future investors
by allowing them to invest in a safe and fun environment.
DO I NEED ACCESS TO
THE INTERNET IN THE CLASSROOM?
No. Ideally, class time should be given
in the computer lab to get the students started. Students
will be able to access and update their own portfolios online,
either on a school computer or at home. The student journal
has fun activities to motivate the students to go online.
WHEN DO WE PARTICIPATE
IN THE SIMULATION?
The simulation for fall 2008 will
START April 28 and FINISH June 6. Teams will be given a starting
portfolio of $100,000 and will start to earn interest on that
balance immediately. Teams (each class is allowed 10 teams)
can log on any time within the competition dates to make trades
on their accounts.
There will also be a simulation in the
fall of 2008.
WHAT ROLE DOES THE
VOLUNTEER PLAY?
Starting March (for the spring semester)
or October (for the fall semester), the volunteer will facilitate
the pre-simulation learning activities (provided by Junior
Achievement) and coach the students throughout the on-line
stock market simulation. This ensures that the students will
have the tools to make educated investment decision while
playing the simulation.
WHAT IF MY STUDENTS
NEED HELP?
Students or teachers can either call
or email for help. Also, the classroom volunteer is a wonderful
resource to help the students with the on-line stock market
simulation. All contact information will be given to the teams
prior to the start of the simulation.
HOW DO I REGISTER MY
CLASS?
Register your
class online or contact Junior
Achievement directly. Currently, the ISP is offered to schools
in British Columbia, southern Alberta and central Ontario.
If you have any questions about registration,
please contact Junior Achievement.
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