me tycoon guide and lesson plans - icould · pdf file2.1 lesson 1 – missed ... problem...
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Me Tycoon : Introductory guide and lesson plans Page 2 of 14
Contents
1. Overview ..................................................................................................................................................... 3
Key Messages ............................................................................................................................................ 3
Resources required ................................................................................................................................... 4
Breakdown of the Game ........................................................................................................................... 4
Who is the player? .................................................................................................................................. 4
How do they control the game? ............................................................................................................. 4
How can they win? .................................................................................................................................. 4
What causes the game to be over? ........................................................................................................ 4
2. Information Covered Within the Game ...................................................................................................... 5
Jobs ........................................................................................................................................................... 5
Transferable Skills ..................................................................................................................................... 6
Qualifications ............................................................................................................................................ 7
Topics Discussed - Factors impacting on 21st Century Careers ................................................................. 7
Voluntary Work ....................................................................................................................................... 10
3. Lesson Plans .............................................................................................................................................. 12
2.1 Lesson 1 – Missed opportunities?........................................................................................................... 12
Career options 5 to 10 mins ............................................................................................................... 12
Play the Game 20-30 mins .................................................................................................................... 12
Discussion (whole class) 15 to 20 mins ................................................................................................. 12
2.2 Lesson 2 – Skills ....................................................................................................................................... 13
Work and Life 5 to 10 mins ................................................................................................................ 13
Play the Game 20-30 mins ................................................................................................................. 13
Discussion (whole class) 15 to 20 mins ................................................................................................. 13
3. Useful Contacts ............................................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Me Tycoon : Introductory guide and lesson plans Page 3 of 14
1. OVERVIEW
The information contained in this guide is
based on content within ‘Me Tycoon’ – a
game in which students are encouraged to
explore and develop their own virtual life,
where their decisions directly affect their
prosperity, achievements and happiness.
Objectives include:
Getting young people to think about careers and discover different types of jobs that they may not have previously considered.
Providing an exciting online experience for players to get to grips with transferable skills and discover the career stories from iCould.com
Allowing players to discover the changing nature of the jobs market and the potential areas of future growth.
Helping players better visualise and understand that today’s careers are not always achieved as a linear progression.
Key Messages
1. Accepting that life throws up challenges.
What’s important is what you do next.
2. Grabbing any opportunities for learning,
developing skills and gaining experience.
3. Managing your money – nobody else will.
4. Other peoples experience can provide a
rich source of learning.
5. There is a vast range of careers – new
jobs are emerging all the time.
6. Actively building your networks.
7. It’s likely that you will have more than
one ‘career’ in your working lifetime.
8. Working will have a direct impact on your
lifestyle/ personal happiness and
fulfilment.
Me Tycoon : Introductory guide and lesson plans Page 4 of 14
Resources required
One computer per pupil, or one
between two if working in pairs.
Me Tycoon is available online through
http://MeTycoon.org – it’s compatible
with both PC and Mac and requires Adobe
Flash version 9 to reside on the computer.
Breakdown of the Game
Who is the player?
The player plays as themselves , represented
by an avatar on the game screen. Players are
in charge of their life path and can choose to
enter further education to achieve academic
or vocational qualifications, or start a career
as soon as they end compulsory education.
How do they control the game?
Players are able to:
Manage jobs – search and apply, gain
promotions, change career paths.
Manage qualifications - Choose what to
study and how (part time of full time)
Manage friends – Search and add
friends via unique name or email; send
friends gifts; compare lives, jobs, money
and happiness.
Purchase items from the shop - items
relate to hobbies, transport,
accommodation and activities.
Improve transferable skills
Keep a check on their happiness
Watch iCould.com videos linked to jobs
Manage their upkeep and expenses,
including accommodation, transport
and lifestyle.
How can they win?
As with life, it depends on what’s important
to the individual. Players are ranked based
on happiness, wealth, jobs held,
achievements completed and items bought.
What causes the game to be
over?
The game is over when the player reaches
retirement. The retirement age increases
throughout the game in relation to events
the player may encounter, such as:
The aging population – people live
longer and there are less young. people
to help pay for their pensions.
Healthcare improvements – life
expectancy increases.
Me Tycoon : Introductory guide and lesson plans Page 5 of 14
2. INFORMATION COVERED WITHIN THE GAME
Jobs
A wide variety of jobs encompassing 23 sectors is covered within the game, including a number
of jobs that are well known, along with others that pupils may not have heard of or considered.
The following is a list of all the jobs within the game:
Activity Instructor
Actor/Actress
Air Traffic Control Manager
Artist Manager
Assistant Housekeeper
Assistant Principal
Associate Curator
Auditor
Beauty Therapist
Biomedical Scientist
Brand Manager
Broadcaster & Journalist
Cabinet Maker
Camera Supervisor
Campaign Director
Cardio Physiologist
Chartered Surveyor
Chemist
Chief Executive
Students’ Librarian
Circus Performer
Civil Engineer
Community Safety Officer
Compliance & Risk Manager
Composites Engineer
Computer Games Tester
Copywriter
DJ
Drug Dog Handler
Ecologist
Electrician
Embalmer
Environmental Specialist
Event Manager
Exhibition Coordinator
Facilities Manager
Fashion Advisor
Fashion Buyer
Fish Farmer
Food Technologist
Fundraising Officer
Funeral Director
Furnace Bender (Welder)
Geoscientist
Graphic Designer
Guitar Maker
Hair colourist
Head of IT
Healthcare Assistant
HR Administrator
ICT Specialist
Insurance Broker
Intelligence Analyst
IT Architect
IT Specialist
Jewellery Designer
Judge
Landscape Architect
Learning Officer
Leisure Centre Manager
Maintenance Fitter
Manufacturing Manager
Mechanical Engineer
Member of Parliament
Merchandiser
Molecular Biologist
Nurse
NVQ Assessor
Olympic Athlete
Operations Manager
Outdoor Instructor
Outreach Officer
Parliamentary Assistant
Personal Trainer
Pharmacist
Police Constable
Press Officer
Property Lawyer
Public Relations Manager
Public Sector Economist
Racehorse Trainer
Radio Producer
Radiographer
Reception Teacher
Restaurant Manager
Features Writer
Lecturer
Skills For Life Lecturer
Social Worker
Solicitor
Sous Chef
Steeplejack
Stunt Coordinator
Supply Chain Assistant
Syndicate Actuary
Systems Engineer
Textile Designer
Train Driver
Valet
Veterinary Nurse
Warehouse Operative
Water Engineer
Web Developer
Windscreen Technician
Writer & Director
Me Tycoon : Introductory guide and lesson plans Page 6 of 14
Transferable Skills
Transferable skills are general skills that can be used in many jobs. You gain these skills from previous jobs, projects, voluntary work, sport, your home life, hobbies, and interests. They enable you to be adaptable and flexible in case you need to change your job.
Transferable skills in ‘Me Tycoon’ are represented as stars along the top of the screen. Studying, hobbies, jobs, items bought, all release skill points to increase the level of the players transferable skills.
Jobs within the game require certain skills at certain levels. The skills are :
Communication -expressing ideas clearly and confidently in speech and in writing.
Negotiating - influencing and convincing others, discussing and reaching agreement.
Leadership - motivating and directing others.
Team Player - working confidently and cooperatively within a group.
Customer Awareness - understanding customers and their needs.
Global Skills - speaking and understanding other languages with appreciation of other
cultures.
Creativity – generating and applying new ideas and solutions.
Organisation - planning, managing time and accepting responsibility for actions.
Self Awareness - understanding personal strengths, abilities, values, weaknesses, and
what you want out of life.
Initiative - motivating self and being determined to get things done - constantly looking
for better ways of doing things.
Problem Solving – gathering information systematically establishing facts and principles.
Solving problems.
Computer - Word-processing, programming, using computer applications, the Internet &
email, designing web pages ..
Commercial Awareness - understanding the world of business.
Numeracy - multiplying & dividing accurately, calculating percentages, using statistics & a
calculator, interpreting graphs & tables. Having good financial skills.
Me Tycoon : Introductory guide and lesson plans Page 7 of 14
Qualifications
Topics Discussed - Factors impacting on 21st Century Careers
Both Global and Personal events occur throughout the game at regular intervals. Some of these
cover the following topics which will affect many of the student’s future jobs:
Foreign investment
o Brands are continually bought and sold internationally.
This could result in the loss of jobs in the UK or a
different strategic direction such as the need for new
skills, rendering old jobs obsolete.
Instant communication
o The world-wide web makes it possible for
communication to take place in real time and from one
side of the globe to the other. Companies have the
potential to market their goods and services to a world-
wide audience.
o Easier collaboration with other experts in the field
leading to better solutions.
Qualifications are split into two groups – ‘Academic’ and
‘Work-Based’. Academic qualifications include: Bachelor,
Masters, and Doctorate. Work-based qualifications include:
Foundation and Advanced Foundation.
Qualifications allow the player to:
Apply for jobs with certain qualification requirements.
Gain extra skills through study.
Me Tycoon : Introductory guide and lesson plans Page 8 of 14
Technology travels
o If an individual is unaware of the latest technological
advance or is techno-phobic, they face an
uncompromising digital divide. Those who are technically
literate can increasingly choose where, when and how
they work.
Environment and climate change
o New jobs are being created all of the time at both
scientific research and technician level. Identified in the
Governments strategy paper ‘Jobs in the Future’ as a key
area for future growth.
o Companies can quickly lose market share and/ or
reputation if shown to be employing environmentally
unfriendly strategies leading to subsequent job loss.
Work/life balance
o Improved ability to balance work with life is particularly
significant for carers, parents, graduates and older
workers.
o Potential for high levels of stress as people find it difficult
to manage the blurring of boundaries.
The need for continuous learning
o The constant upgrading of technology allows businesses
to constantly improve their competitive advantage. But
the change implied by overhaul and implementing new
technology can be difficult for the workforce.
Me Tycoon : Introductory guide and lesson plans Page 9 of 14
Raising of the school leaving age to 18
o The Department for Education has confirmed plans to
raise the school leaving age in England by 2013. This
means that:
It will no longer be possible to receive benefits between the ages of 16 to 18.
Teenagers could face £50 on-the spot fines and even jail if they do not comply with the rules, and could end up with a criminal record.
Students will be offered diplomas, apprenticeships etc.
Jobs of the future
The government has identified key industries which is
supported by policies in response to the impact of
globalisation and other key drivers such as demographics
and technology. These include :
Low carbon economy Advanced manufacturing Life sciences Digital economy Business and professional Services The care sector The retail sector Tourism, hospitality and leisure
Increasing longevity, declining fertility, and the disproportionate size of the "Baby Boom" generation. This means that:
o As workforce growth slows, there are not enough young workers to replace the population and skills of Baby Boomers as they reach retirement age.
o The retirement age will increase as people live longer and longer - this is already happening.
o ‘Not working’ is no longer a desired option – as it becomes possible to work flexibly and as we live longer and needs more funds.
Me Tycoon : Introductory guide and lesson plans Page 10 of 14
o Combining work with education/learning will become increasingly more normal.
Voluntary Work
Cat Fosterer - providing daily hands-on cat care in your own home.
Performing Arts Enabler - helping physically disabled young adults to put on a musical
performance.
Classroom Assistant - taking part in classroom activities to help young students with their
learning.
Disability youth worker - supporting disabled teenagers taking part in social activities like
movie nights, bowling, and meals out.
First Responder - responding to 999 emergency calls where a response ahead of the NHS
Ambulance will make a difference to the patient.
Activities Organiser - working with elderly people in a residential care home and helping
organise and participate with activities.
Charity Shop Worker - helping sort and organise donations, create exciting displays or
perhaps develop new areas.
Conservationist - helping to improve local countryside, including the restoration, creation or
conservation of ponds, woodlands, heath lands and self-guided trails.
Employment Advisor - supporting the homeless and those at risk through advice, skills
development, and maintaining relationships with agencies and employers.
Community Service - providing gardening services for older people, helping them stay in
their own homes for longer.
Graduate Mentor - sharing experiences with young people in school and support them
through examination and career choices.
School Shop Manager - ordering stock, serving in the shop, counting takings, balancing the
books.
Guided Walks leader – helping to enthuse people about the environment by working with
RSPB.
Me Tycoon : Introductory guide and lesson plans Page 11 of 14
Football Coaching - working with a team of disabled youngsters during the football season.
Gym buddy - helping in the smooth running of the gym e.g. opening /closing gym,
refreshments, supervising gym members, promoting gym facilities and membership.
Activity Day Helper – helping to put up signs, directing people, selling raffle tickets and
generally lending a hand on an activity day.
Tourism Assistant - doing general admin to support an organisation trying to promote a
failing seaside resort in an office-based environment
Stable hand - mucking out the stables, grooming horses, leading horses for riding for the
disabled.
DJ - DJ-ing and organising disco's for Year 10 students.
Kennel Assistant - cleaning kennels, walking and feeding dogs.
Me Tycoon : Introductory guide and lesson plans Page 12 of 14
3. LESSON PLANS
LESSON 1 – MISSED OPPORTUNITIES?
Career options 5 to 10 mins
Introduce students to the notion that work is a fundamental part of their lives which will
take up to a third or more of their life time. It is therefore worthwhile making sure you
make good choices.
Ask them to brainstorm where they see themselves when they are 21, 35, and 50 years
old and then feedback to the rest of the class. Emphasise that to reach these goals they
must start planning.
Ask them how they think they will reach this goal – i.e. through further education,
through a family member, through working their way up etc.
Play the Game 20-30 mins
Introduce the game to the class and then as individuals or pairs, ask them to begin
playing, paying particular attention to the range of jobs and videos accompanying them.
Ask them to pause the game when the time is up (we recommend at least 20 minutes for
the students to have a good feel of the game and have explored several jobs or paths).
Discussion (whole class) 15 to 20 mins
Bring the class together for discussion.
QUESTIONS FOR CLASS:
Did you discover any interesting jobs you hadn’t heard of before?
Have any of your future career plans changed or have you a new idea of how you
could reach your goal?
Me Tycoon : Introductory guide and lesson plans Page 13 of 14
LESSON 2 – SKILLS
Work and Life 5 to 10 mins
Define and explain transferable skills to the class. Help them understand that they can
gain skills through a range of activities, including work experience, hobbies, voluntary
work and casual work.
Ask students to think about their own personal skills or qualities and how they might
relate to a particular career or job.
Explain that transferable skills play a part in the game they are about to play and can help
them win jobs.
Play the Game 20-30 mins
Introduce the game to the class and then as individuals or pairs, ask them to begin
playing.
Ask them to pause the game when the time is up (we recommend at least 20 minutes for
the students to have a good feel of the game and have explored several jobs or paths).
Discussion (whole class) 15 to 20 mins
Bring the class together for discussion.
QUESTIONS FOR CLASS:
Do you think transferable skills are more important than qualifications, or vice-
versa? Or are they both important?
Do you think that developing these skills can help you choose a career option that
fits you?
Me Tycoon : Introductory guide and lesson plans Page 14 of 14
PRIVACY STATEMENT
We are committed to protecting privacy of our users. MeTycoon requires the users to login, in order to
play the game, however users have a choice of registering with the site directly or using one of their
existing accounts from Facebook, Twitter, Yahoo, Google or OpenID to play. Where email addresses are
collected, this is for the purpose of keeping the player up to date about the game. This information will
never be passed onto any other party.
MeTycoon does not allow players to pass any personal details between one another, any interaction with
other players are through the game and are limited to ‘high five’, ‘sending gifts’ or ‘comparison’, under
no circumstances is it possible to find out real identities or email addresses of players through the game.
If you have any questions concerning safeguarding please contact us at: [email protected]