SIGG educational platform – case study

SIGG educational platform – the largest e-education project in Poland

The School Internet Stock Exchange Game (SIGG) is one of the largest educational projects in Poland.
In the 17-year history of the project, over 230,000 participants have been trained. In April 2019, the final of the 17th edition took place, with over 18,500 students and 900 teachers from 715 schools taking part.

SIGG is a success story that is the result of many factors

1. Important educational goals that unite experts and partners. SIGG educates future investors in the basics of stock market investing and is also a breeding ground for future financial market professionals. The project’s goals are long-term, but the 17 editions that have been held show that it is worthwhile, and there are many SIGG participants among the employees of the Warsaw Stock Exchange, banks, and financial services companies.
2. New technologies are the basis of SIGG’s appeal to young people. The use of multimedia and interactive e-learning training available on a gamified educational platform is a must in order to engage them in learning. Thanks to the knowledge they acquire, they can make informed investment decisions in the second stage, which is playing the stock market with virtual money.
3. Committed teachers promote the project among students and then supervise student teams. The most active teachers are regional coordinators who promote the project among teachers, inspire them with their passion, share their knowledge, and provide support. Thanks to a strong community of teachers, more and more students participate in SIGG every year.
4. The competition between teams formed by students drives SIGG. Students have the opportunity to see their results compared to other groups from all over Poland. They can see their progress and ranking on an ongoing basis, which motivates them to learn, acquire knowledge in e-learning courses, and be active in the game.
5. Awards and distinctions are an important part of SIGG. Many students see SIGG as an important element of their CV, which will help them get an internship or work placement in the future. An additional motivation is the distinction awarded during the final and gala in the presence of representatives of the most important institutions.
6. Learning through play – SIGG is really effective at teaching young people about a whole new area. They gain basic knowledge about investing on the stock market and then use it in a game based on real data and stock market results.
7. Efficient and committed organizers – The Warsaw Stock Exchange and the WSE Foundation created and coordinate SIGG.
8. Prestigious and influential partners – substantive and institutional, i.e.: the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of National Education, the National Depository for Securities, the Warsaw Institute of Banking, and the Lesław Paga Foundation.

SIGG is an effective investment in the future. Future financial market employees and investors are being created today. Knowledge is being passed on, behaviors and attitudes are being shaped.

Interview with Ms. Alina Bączar-Bednorz, Vice President of the Management Board of the Warsaw Stock Exchange Foundation

 

Vice President of the
Management Board of the Warsaw Stock Exchange Fundation,
Alina Bączar-Bednorz

M.A.: Why is SIGG so popular among young people and teachers?

A.B-B: SIGG is perceived by students and teachers as an educational project worth participating in if you are considering studying economics or working in finance. It combines team fun with a powerful dose of knowledge that can be tested immediately during the game.

M.A.: What elements of the SIGG project make it a success?

A.B-B.: SIGG is an innovative project in which we use modern technologies. I think it is thanks to their use that over 18,000 students and 900 teachers have become involved in the game. Thanks to our cooperation with HRcode (formerly Smart Education), we provide educational materials and multimedia e-learning courses on a gamified training platform. Participants can use them 24/7 on any device, such as smartphones, tablets, or computers with Internet access. Young people use the knowledge they have acquired on a virtual platform for learning how to invest. Both the money invested and the transactions concluded are virtual, but orders are executed on the basis of real market buy and sell offers.

M.A.: Why is it worth participating in SIGG?

A.B-B.: During SIGG, students learn how to work in a group, negotiate, make decisions, communicate, and develop a strategy. They have the opportunity to gain knowledge and compete with their peers in Poland. Young people also communicate with each other, establish contacts, and build relationships. The best ones have the opportunity to meet during the final organized in the Warsaw Stock Exchange Trading Room. The winners are all those who participate and devote their time to development outside of class.

M.A.: What are the components of SIGG?

A.B-B.: We start the project with meetings and discussions with regional coordinators and teachers. It is thanks to them that each subsequent edition is more attractive and attracts a larger number of teachers and students. Then we start recruitment and registration. Students fill out a form and form teams. Once everything is ready, we invite them to learn about investing on the stock exchange through educational materials and e-learning courses available on the training platform. They use the points and knowledge they have gained in the next stage, which is investing with virtual money. Every day, they can buy and sell stocks and other financial instruments. After several months of competition, we invite the best teams to the finals at the Warsaw Stock Exchange headquarters. The teams compete during a one-day session, which we reward at the end with a gala finale in the WSE Trading Room.

The project lasts five months, during which participants learn and play the stock market game.

M.A.: Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience with SIGG, which serves as a model for other educational projects in Poland.