PIXEL’s Biz Sims win “Best in Tech” Award from Scholastic Administr@tor Magazine

PIXELearnings Business Simulations have received the 2011 “Best in Tech” Award from Scholastic Administr@tor Magazine. Our US based partner Realityworks, Inc entered the products into the prestigious competition earlier this year. The RealCareer Business Education Simulations reinforce classroom lessons with hands-on experience in
running a business.

The national awards were presented at the 2011 International Society for Technology Education (ISTE)
conference in

Adding enterprise into business

It doesn’t matter if you are a large corporation, a governmental organisation, a small company or an individual looking to start up your own business, enterprise is vital in making the most of your company and success.

PIXELearning a few years ago brought to market a game that teaches and encourages enterprise. The Enterprise Game™ created with the intention of familiarising learners, be that students or adults, about what enterprise is and what you need to do to run your own business. Re-introducing, re-skilling and in some cases re-educating learners in business concepts, marketing and finance, introducing business silo’s and the cause and effect factor of decisions is the continued driving force behind this business simulation.

This particular simulation can be used in any environment by teenagers through to adults. Delivered online means that it can also be accessed by the majority of the population as it is a web based solution.

Game uses and Benefits to the User

Discovery of entrepreneurs and encouragement of enterprise has recently demonstrated its success by receiving over 4500 hits in the last 9months amongst individuals, colleges, community centres and YMCAs in the north of England.

RTC North, consultants in technology commercialisation, open innovation and business strategy bought The Enterprise Game™ to us in a series of their business and training environments. Incorporated into Enterprise Week, RTC North delivered The Enterprise Game™ in classroom settings to learners at Key Stage 3, to adult learners in Further Education and voluntary organisations such as Not in Employment Education or Training (NEET).

Covering Durham and Sedgefield districts they provide access to The Enterprise Game™ through competitions for the community, voluntary sectors and YMCA’s as part of a 10week skills development programme.

With competitions based online The Enterprise Game™ is able to be used within classroom time and also out of hours providing learners with the opportunity to gain extra knowledge and experiences. Many users find the game a very beneficial learning experience as it’s enjoyable, engaging and flexible while offering the needed learning outcomes users require.

“Introducing confidence, skills development training and a soft introduction to enterprise, The Enterprise Game™ session was engaging enough   to capture their interest and keep them on task without being too challenging.” RTC North

This organisation has not been only using The Enterprise Game™ as a standalone product they have used the game in conjunction with teaching further skills such as behaviour sessions. By integrating The Enterprise Game™ with other subject areas can increase the learner’s confidence and further their skills development training.

Flexibility of the Product

Again, as it is delivered online it means that it isn’t restricted to venues or individuals laptops. With this delivery the game was easy to access everywhere, at any time and with minimal input from the project co-ordinator. This simulation has been the most effective and flexible for the targeted audience.

“The game has been easily understood and easy to navigate by the trainers and ultimately the users. It has been classed as a fabulous introduction tools for groups and projects the company work with as well as being a very good engagement tool for the hard to reach, disadvantaged community.” (RTC North)

The Enterprise Challenge 2010 is coming to a close

Students across England have been given the opportunity over the past month to take part in an exciting educational experience aimed at improving communication and re-igniting students’ enjoyment of learning.

750 students across 30 schools are participating in ‘The Enterprise Challenge’. Working towards a more integrated and thriving society the Mosaic Network organised the challenge aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and a sense of achievement amongst students attending schools located in areas of extreme deprivation.

‘The Enterprise Challenge’ uses PIXELearning’s Enterprise Game to enhance business and enterprise understanding and encourages students to learn aspects of running a ‘virtual’ business. By applying what they have learnt in class to their business they get the opportunity to practice key business issues such as marketing, sales, finance and production.

Divided into numerous teams representing their school, students enter the simulation and select a product to take to market. This product requires variables to be set such as marketing budget and product quality before ‘virtually’ trading.

The challenge takes place over the course of a month where students compete in four heats playing for a different variable each time (i.e. market share and cash flow). The fifth and final heat is for the top 5 teams to compete against each other for the best net profit.

The winners will be announced on the 9th March during the live final held at Lovells offices in London where the final teams will compete for ultimate glory.

To read more about The Enterprise Challenge past and present click here.