Blair Sawyers

Virtual Business Retailing

Educational Software Evaluation
Product Background and Description
Virtual Business Retailing is an educational retail interactive simulation that integrates
the applications of Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Finance, and Introduction of Business. As one
of the leading developer and publisher of high school (grades 9-12) simulation-based business
and personal finance curriculum, their software program has been used by over one million
students in over five thousand high schools. C.W. Publisher offers simulation-based programs in
Management, Sports and Entertainment, Personal Finance and Restaurant. It is currently
expanding its customer base to serve the college market and specific government agencies. The
company was founded in 1977 by Peter Jordan.
Virtual Business-Retailing is a retail interactive simulation that integrates the applications
and concepts of Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Finance, and Business.With the Virtual BusinessRetailing the students start with a familiar grocery/convenience store. As they advance, they
manage sporting goods and electronics retailers. The Promotion options include the traditional
media and now includes new feature options such as email campaigns. The students are able to
design the full retail layout of their stores. Grocery stores highlight perishables; sports stores
highlight seasonality; electronics stores highlight personal selling. The different levels of the
project lets advanced students establish a retail empire of multiple stores in multiple product
categories. The multiplayer mode lets students compete in class or from home head-to-head for
market share and profits. Students can also design their stores; pick products, set prices and plan
promotions to win customers from the competition.

Since this simulation is all animated, the students see visually what is going on that is
causing either success or failure decisions that affects the business. They get immediate
feedback about what is turning their customers away, situations that will need immediate
attention from vendors, business climate issues, competition, etc. The student is responsible for
making all business decisions.
Educational Software Evaluation Form
Title:

Virtual Business-Retailing

Grade Level:
Subject Area:

9-12

Hardware Requirement:
CD Based
Windows 7/XP/2000/NT/98 with Microsoft .NET
Framework
500MHz+ CPU
128 MB RAM
75MB hard disk space
CD ROM drive
Local Area Network (LAN) connection*
Online
CPU: 1GHz or faster CPU
512MB or greater RAM
Operating System:
Internet Explorer 9* or higher
Mozilla Firefox 5 or higher
Google Chrome 9 or higher
Safari 5 or higher
Compatible with Windows/Mac OSX
1GHz or faster CPU
512MB or greater RAM
1024x768 screen resolution
Internet Connection
Additional Hardware

CD Based
CD ROM drive
Local Area Network (LAN) connection

Additional Software Required:

Adobe Flash and Adobe Reader

Publisher:
Publisher's Address:

Knowledge Matters, Inc.

1 Roundhouse Plaza - Suite 304
Northampton, MA 01060

Phone:
Fax:
Web Support:

1-877-965-3276
413-584-8485
1-877-965-3276

Cost:
Mini $595
(Upgrade Price $395)
(Up to 5 concurrent users)

Lab License $1,095

(Upgrade Price $595)
(Up to 30 concurrent users)

Site License $1,595

(Upgrade Price $895)
(Unlimited concurrent users)

Optional Multiplayer $99 per year

(Upgrade Price $99 per year)

Training Provided: YES NO

Support Provided: YES NO
WWW Support: YES NO
Phone Support:
YES NO
In-house Support: YES NO
Characteristics: Curriculum Content
1. This software would work with existing curriculum
2. Breadth of the content in the software
3. Depth of the content in the software
4. Software has clear learning objectives
5. Content can advance as the user (learner) advances
6. Age appropriate
7. Shows a diverse group of people (women, men, different
ethnicities, cultures, etc. . . .)
Total Program Operation/Documentation Score

Ratings 0-5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5

Weighs 0-5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5

Total
25
25
25
25
25
25
25

35

35

175

Review Comment: Virtual Business-Retailing teaches Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Accounting

and Finance, Economics, Business Math and Office Applications. For each of the subject areas,
the simulation complements the current teaching model, curriculum, common core state
standards, lesson objectives, and textbooks. The content of the simulation can set for single,
team, or competitive levels to accommodate advance users. The competition levels are designed
specifically to have students compete to see who can make the highest profit. The program
represents gender and cultural diversity sensitivity throughout the program with visual/pictures
identifying a variety of roles as customers, management, and vendors.
Characteristics: Instructor Use

1. Instructional objectives are clearly stated

2. Suggestions for curriculum integration
3. Prerequisite skills for students indicated
4. No need for instructor to assist users
5. Useful teacher manual included with the software
6. Suggested grouping arrangements
7. Useful student workbook provided
8. Useful ditto masters provided by the software publisher
9. Interesting follow- up activities and/or projects suggested
Total Program Operation/Documentation Score

Ratings 0-5
5
5
0
5
5
5
0
4
4
33

Weighs 0-5
5
5
0
5
5
5
0
4
4
33

Total
25
25
0
25
25
25
0
16
16
155

Reviewer Comment:
Virtual Business-Retailing provides Tutorial and Teacher Training DVD, webinar/video training
and support, Getting Started and Advanced Features manuals. The software package includes
instructional lesson plans, answer keys, clearly stated objectives, and suggestions for integrating
the curriculum and state standards with the simulation. No prerequisite skills are needed for any
of the student assignments, quizzes, activities, pre-post tests or readings. However, the lessons
range from students being able to make single decisions in their business, starting a business and
making it profitable in order to move to new levels of difficulty to competing on a team against
other students in the same region or network. Suggested grouping arrangements consist of
individual, pairs, teams of 2-3, and teams of two-4. The Virtual Business-Retailing provides a
written and online teacher manual and follow-up activities or projects. The instructor is
responsible for overseeing the lesson, help students complete each level, and act as a coach for
competition. Classroom Management Tools
Characteristics: Student Use
1. Requires no computer knowledge
2. Does not require the student to reference manuals
3. High student involvement
4. Provides students with a summary of performance
5. Shows no racial, sexual discrimination
6. Encourage cooperation
7. Student control over rate of presentation when appropriate
8. Length (time) of simulation is appropriate
9. Allows for students to cooperate with other students to
complete the activities
10. This software allows students with different learning
styles to be equally effective
Total Program Operation/Documentation Score

Review Comment:

Ratings 0-5
5
5
5
5
5
5
4
4
4

Weighs 0-5
5
5
5
5
5
5
4
4
4

Total
25
25
25
25
25
25
4
16
16

25

51

51

207

Virtual Business-Retailing software is student friendly and requires students to have neither
computer knowledge nor reference the manual for the simulation. This program has a high to
extremely high level of student engagement and motivation at the individual, team, and
competitive level. Students printed or CD assessment and grading are provided through lesson
worksheets, quizzes, and tests. Additional online tools such as CyberGrader (grading) and
CyberConsultant (provide students advice how to improve business) also provide students with a
summary of performance with the software. Student classroom time requirement varies in three
ways. Each lesson that the student uses the program individually will require -1-2 45 minute
period (10-20 hours total). For students using the simulation as a new business project
individually or as a team will take 2-3 weeks of 45 minute periods each day (10 hours total).
Team Competition time will require 1-1.5 weeks of 45 minutes periods (5 hours total). To help
students with different learning styles the software accommodates students with structure by
graying out non-relevant menu items to help students stay on task, guided exploration to help
students uncover new expectations to advance to their next level, and experiential which the
student learns from mistakes and peers. The software presents no signs of usage of racial or
sexual discrimination.
Characteristics: Program Content
1. Realistic simulation of events
2. Valid formulas used to compute outcome
3. Accurate content
4. Appropriate use of color
5. Appropriate use of graphics, video, or animation
6. Appropriate use of sound
7. Accomplishes stated objectives
Total Program Operation/Documentation Score

Ratings 0-5
5
5
5
5
5
0
5
30

Weighs 0-5
5
5
5
5
5
0
5
30

Total
25
25
25
16
25
0
25
141

Review Comments:
Virtual Business-Retailing use realistic events, background, and settings of retail business
establishments such as grocery, convenience store, sporting goods, electronics, etc. The content
used in the simulation software is accurate information provided in textbooks and other
resources. The graphics, videos, animation, and color coordinate with real world environments
and attract students attention. The software does not provide any sound related to conversations
or music.
Characteristics: Program Operation and Documentation
1. Allows user to correct typing errors
2. Documentation available and clearly written
3. Clear, nicely formatted screen displays
4. Incorrect use of keys or commands does not cause the
program to abort
5. Menus and other features make the program user
friendly
6. Instructions can be skipped if already known

Ratings 0-5
0
5
5
5

Weighs 0-5
0
5
5
5

Total
0
25
25
16

25

7. Clear and useful summary of program operation provided

8. Loading instructions are clear; program is easy to load
10. Bug free; program runs properly
11. Uses computer capabilities well
12. Readability of text is appropriate for intended user
Total Program Operation/Documentation Score

5
4
4
5
5
48

5
4
4
5
5
48

25
16
`16
25
25
223

Reviewer Comment:
Virtual Business-Retailing software documentation and loading instructions are clearly written
both in print and within the software package. The screen displays are clear and is formatted to
fit monitor screen displays ranging from netbook to desktop screen. Students selecting incorrect
commands keys will not cause the program to abort. Menus and other program feature are user
friendly.
Publisher Information
1. Publisher used appropriate theoretical basis for software
development
2. Publisher has research demonstrating the effectiveness of
the software
3. Publisher is considered a reputable company in your field
4. Publisher is willing to provide information about satisfied
customers for you to contact about the software
5. Publisher is willing to discuss why some customers have
been dissatisfied with the product
6. Publisher solicits teacher recommendations for future
versions of the software
7. Research not directly conducted by the publisher has
shown this product to be effective
8. Reviews of this product have been very positive
Total Program Operation/Documentation Score

Ratings 0-5
5

Weighs 0-5
5

Total
25

25

5
5

5
5

25
25

16

25

5
34

5
34

25
141

Reviewer Comment:
Virtual Business-Retailing simulation-based learning was developed from research sponsored by
the United States Department of Education. The research also included fifty in depths interviews
with store managers and owners, retail executives, consumers, advertising professionals,
bankers, and market research professionals. The publisher provides teacher testimonials and
monthly newsletters. Knowledge Matters have major business and educational student
organization support such as H&R Block, Glencoe-McGraw Hill, CHRIE, PitoTech of Taiwan,
DECA (An Association of Marketing Students), Business Professionals of America (BPA),
Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA).

Evaluation Summary:
Strengths

Visuals, graphics, and animations are age appropriate

Real world situations and events are used.
Student decisions are based on their response.
Immediate feedback.
Real hands-on experience.
Lessons and activities based on national and state standards
Students receive certificate of completion
Used for DECA, BPA, FBLA National Competition Challenges

Weaknesses
Need to include modifications and accommodations for special needs students
Need to include modifications for English Language Learners
Software need to include to be compatible with assistive technology devices
Need to include student research projects
Need to include certificate of participation for special needs students
Total Points for all Characteristics: 260
Total Points: 231
Percent Rating: 90-100 percent
How to interpret results:
90 100% This would be a good software decision
80 - 89% This piece of software is beneficial, but may have some serious reservations
70 - 79% This piece of software is probably not going to get the results desired
60 - 69% This piece of software has too many reservations to adopt in its current state
Below 60% This piece of software is not tested and not beneficial
Reference
www.knowledgematters.com