It’s only a game! Or is it? Spent (http://playspent.org/ ) – PlaySpent is an online game that involves the player taking on the role of an unemployed, single parent who has to make it through the month on their last $1,000. The player does this by solving real-life problems and making decisions by answering simulation questions. The goal of the game is to make it through the month without going bankrupt.
Throughout the simulation, PlaySpent provides insight, such as statistics on homelessness, poverty, and unemployment. By clicking on the “Sources” button at the bottom of the screen, teachers can access all the statistics and insights on one document. This website provides an opportunity for game-based learning in the classroom while offering fuel for discussions and critical thinking about the state of unemployment, poverty and homelessness in the U.S. and the world today.
Developer: McKinney, funded by Urban Ministries of Durham (UMD) and McKinney
Nominated for: Most Significant Impact in 2012 Games for Change competition.
Tags: Anti-poverty strategies, games, poverty, Poverty Analysis
This is an absolutely fantastic way to help educate people on the issue of poverty. Our organization does a Poverty Challenge each year asking people to try to live on a poverty level budget for 2 days but it’s difficult to get people to participate. This web site takes a few minutes and helps get the point across.