Kiesha Moravian
Female Facilitator
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Ken Cherry
Male Facilitator 
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This year, the Blue Springs Hoke County CDC HYLIFe Computer Instruction Class focus expanded to include financial literacy.   Students explored various online (Internet) sites and how the material and exercises on them can help hone financial planning, online research, and mathematical skills. This class is involved in Financial Education: Planning for the Future.  It is an  introduction to the role of financial and economic matters for personal and family economic development.   Topics include Personal Financial Planning, Goals Setting, Protection Against Financial Risk, Money Management, and many other topics.  Upon completion, members will be able to identify financial and economic strategies to help maximize use of current and future resources.

We changed the curriculum several times after gaining an understanding of what will work in our computer labs and searching for the best tools for both members and parents to work together.  Recent studies show that beginning in the 7th grade, U.S. children’s math skills fall behind those of their counterparts in other countries. That’s why this computer instruction is designed for grades seven through twelve and encourages family participation.

Members were also encouraged, through their online navigation, to begin thinking about generating income (getting a job, going into business, having an allowance), saving for and setting short and long-term goals, while at the same time learning about the importance of community responsibility through HYLIFe’s service-learning component.

Parents involvement will be expanded to enhance the learning process by helping members shape the future through serious discussion, taking part in some of the off-line activities, and following financial systems structured for improvement of general financial well-being.

Great care is taken to ensure that privacy is protected.   So, members are encouraged to visit online sites and participate in the wealth of activities found there--including subscribing to and participating in the financial literacy forum created for this class and beyond.

The Internet is a vast information source.  It’s more than games, music, athletics, fashion, and the latest soap opera updates.  If used wisely, it’s a tool to help shape the future through youth education.

The online Stock Market Game will be played starting next semester.  Moneyopolis and other interesting sites were used and will be continued during next semester.

The following pictures represent middle and high school participation.