Are you looking for a fun, innovative teaching method to engage your students?
We would like to introduce you to the virtual enterprise (VE) concept, which as an educator may be of great interest to you. Our program has been particularly successful with VCAL and disengaged students as well as the academically advanced.
VEs are simulated businesses established and run by students under the guidance of a teacher or trainer who facilitates student discussion and ownership of the VE. A local business person is sought to mentor the students so that they follow current business practices and learn more about their local business community.
VEs buy and sell their virtual goods and services to other VEs (students running other simulated businesses across Australia), thus creating a vibrant trading economy. The goods and services are virtual, the money is virtual, but the planning, actions and outcomes are all very real. Students not only learn about how a business really works, but they learn the more important skills of working in teams, dealing with conflict, working with a real business mentor, taking responsibility for their work, and reporting on their achievements.
Our company, Virtual Enterprise Australia (VEA), supports the operation of these simulated businesses by providing the infrastructure that mimics real-world economic and financial activities. VEA offers a virtual bank, utilities (electricity, gas, water, telephone etc), legal services, council services etc. As well as trading across Australia, VEs can also trade internationally with 5,500 Virtual Enterprises in 35 countries.
We have many corporate and small business mentors who work with their local training organisations: schools, TAFEs, RTOs, and universities. By investing in youth and people in training, they recognise the longer term benefits for Australia.
Below are a list of upcoming invitations to our Insight events - we do hope you can find time to attend.
