Technology Review: National SMS

This website I am reviewing has the potential to be used for an amazing simulation project.  This simulation would be a project that will give the students in my class a great taste of the business world as they experience the world of stock exchange through a long-term project simulation.  The interesting piece of this site is it is built for students as an in-class project.  Here is my review:

www.nationalsms.com

1.       Summary: This site is a great simulator for many different ages to help teach math, economics, social studies, and others.  I had heard a lot about stock market simulators that were available.  I decided to review this one because it is designed specifically for middle school and high school students, and it says it can be used as low as 4^th grade.  The teacher sets up teams of students to work together to manage an account in the stock market.  The site even comes with a contest with gift cards going to the national winners.  A simulator like this gives students a taste of life in the real world, a look at how a potential occupation works, as well as spanning many different subject areas in one simulation that will be engaging and challenging.

2.       Strengths

a.       It is a simulator covering an adult topic that is designed for kids.

b.      It is set up for teachers to manage and facilitate the simulator for their individual class with access to each of their accounts.

c.       It comes complete with lesson plans and ideas on how to set up and introduce this simulator to your class.

d.      It is an online-based simulator.  No extra software needed.  All that is needed is internet.

3.       Weaknesses

a.       It does cost $12 per account to register.  They recommend 3-5 students per group so it would take 4-6 accounts to run a classroom on this simulator.

b.      It is a simulator set up for 4^th-12^th grade.  There may be some things that are over the heads of the younger kids.

c.       Many of the details of the program and site look like they are not revealed until you spend the money and register.

4.       Who is this useful for?  This site would be useful for any teacher 4^th-12^th grade that is interested in their class being introduced to the life of a stock broker.  This could be used in a math class, economics class, or social studies class.

5.       What is needed to use it?  In order to use this site, you need to pay a fee of $12 per account and team up your class into groups of 3-5 students.  Each group needs an account set up.  Other than that, all you need is internet access.