Using a Simulation Game in an Undergraduate Finance Course

Grant program: Teaching and Learning Development Grant (TLDG)

Grant recipient: Christina Atanasova, Beedie School of Business

Project team: Husna Memon, research assistant

Timeframe: September 2017 to February 2018

Funding: $6000

Course addressed: BUS 495 – Venture Capital Finance

Final report: View Christina Atanasova's final report (PDF)

Description: I plan to analyze how a venture capital simulation game can be used to increase students’ course content knowledge, enhance learning, and improve the quality of their analysis and problem solving skills. In addition, I will examine if the simulation has increased social interaction among students, both in the classroom and in their independent studies.

Questions addressed:

• Does the quality of students’ analysis and their ability to problem solve improve after playing the simulation game?
• Will the game be effective in encouraging students’ social interaction?
• Do students perceive that the simulation game improves their learning?

Knowledge sharing: I will prepare a summary report of the results for dissemination. I will take part in the annual teaching workshop within the Beedie School of Business during which I will present the results of the study.

Keywords: social interaction, undergraduate teaching in finance, problem solving skills, case studies, classroom game simulation, decision-making environment, experiential learning, students’ interaction