How Does the Stock Market Work? Introduction to Investment - Flexible

In this 4 week course students will learn the basics of stock markets, from how stock prices are set to historical events and potential career paths for stock traders. During the four weeks the students will manage a simulated stock portfolio and will share their earnings/losses during the course through discussions in the Outschool classroom. In the simulation, classmates will be the buyers and sellers and will be able to see each other's performance during the game. During the four weeks there will also be discussion forums were students can share investment techniques that are working for them. Every week I will upload a recorded lesson explaining the topics with slides and videos. 

The first week of the course will provide an introduction of what the stock market is, the most famous stock exchanges and how stock prices are set up. They will also learn how to use the simulator and the basics of trading. I will upload a recording showing how to use the simulator and explaining them how to start building a portfolio.

During the second week they will learn about potential career paths a stock trader could pursue. They will also learn that companies buy stocks from other companies and manage their own investments. 

During the third week they will learn about historical moments in the stock market, such as the 'dot-com' bubble and the 2008 housing crisis.

During the fourth week they will learn about famous stocks and investors. It is also the last week of the simulation and students will be able to analyze their investment strategy. 
 
In the simulation they will have access to $100,000 and will be able to buy and sell 30 different stocks in a regulated environment in which other classmates are also the buyers and sellers. They will need to open a marketwatch account.