Virtual design: three-dimensional virtual environment as an instrument for the financial education of Brazilian youth and adults

Abstract

Economic indicators on default and misallocation of financial resources confirm the difficulty of young Brazilians and adults in dealing with their personal finances. In view of this, this study aims to relate knowledge from different areas to propose an artifact in the Interactive 3D Virtual Environment format, which is useful as a Financial Education instrument aimed mainly at this target audience. Thus, to guide the development of this work, a research methodology (Design Science Research) and a project method (Iterative Integrating Methodology for Development of Serious Training and Assessment Games) are used, which, together, align with the objective of developing an artifact with educational and training characteristics. With a theoretical basis on learning and persuasion associated with practical content on Financial Education, it is expected that the artifact will serve as an instructional tool for decision-making that lead the learner to a more prosperous path in relation to Personal Finance. As a result, a Serious Game was obtained, considered relevant and useful as a dissemination tool for Financial Education contents by members of the target audience and specialists in the area. The Game is available for free access by anyone over the internet.