All going well financially?

The All going well financially? (Minden KlAPPol pénzügyileg?) project, created by a Hungarian school teacher, aims to develop financial literacy, economic awareness, and digital competence of students in years 7-8, fostering a conscious approach to money management and responsible consumer behaviour through playful, experiential learning. The project is structured around a narrative-driven quest, where students use logic, creativity, and digital tools to solve puzzles and ultimately "find the key" within a story framework. The methodology is adaptable, allowing for use across various subjects and grade levels.

Key Activities and Student Experience

Students embark on a multi-stage learning journey that blends individual, pair, group, and whole-class activities. Students are introduced to the narrative via QR codes and the ActionBound app, which guides them through a series of challenges: reading letters, solving riddles, viewing short films, and collecting letters to unlock the story’s mystery. Real-life case studies - such as the post-lottery experiences of winners - are presented in digital formats, prompting critical reflection and discussion on financial behaviour. Interactive elements include word clouds, posters, digital puzzles, code-breaking, and matching exercises related to Hungarian currency and financial concepts. The tasks are designed to be immersive and competitive, with students earning and losing points based on their responses, fostering both motivation and resilience. The digital platform provides instant feedback, leaderboards, and time tracking, supporting formative assessment and self-evaluation. At the conclusion, students provide feedback on their experience, reinforcing metacognitive skills and ownership of learning.

Program Features and Pedagogical Principles

The project is based on active, student-centred experiential learning, gamification, and the integration of digital technologies. Its narrative structure and use of real-life stories engage students emotionally, making abstract financial concepts tangible and relevant. The project nurtures a wide range of key competencies: digital literacy, independent and effective learning, social and civic skills, initiative-taking, and entrepreneurial competence. The learning environment is designed to be inclusive and motivating, with differentiated tasks and opportunities for both collaboration and competition. The use of the ActionBound app and other digital platforms allows for immediate feedback, formative assessment, and progress monitoring by both students and teachers. The approach supports the development of higher-order thinking skills, such as critical analysis, problem-solving, and creative reasoning. The project also encourages reflection on ethical and environmental aspects of financial decisions, linking personal responsibility to broader societal and global issues. Teachers are provided with a detailed methodological guide and digital resources.

Methodology and Structure The project is built around a six-step, story-based Learning pathway that integrates digital and analogue activities. It involves a series of "stations," each presenting a new challenge: reading and interpreting stories, solving digital and physical puzzles, engaging with interactive media, and reflecting on personal and societal financial choices. Tools such as Popplet, Sway, JigsawPlanet, Thinglink, and Sutori are used to create diverse, multimedia learning experiences. The ActionBound app serves as the central platform, guiding students through the quest and recording their progress. Tasks are designed to be accessible on tablets and smartphones, with no need for student registration, ensuring privacy and ease of use. The structure allows for flexible implementation in 2 lesson-hours: as a single lesson, a thematic unit, or a series of sessions, with activities suitable for classroom, homework, or remote learning, and it can be integrated into many different subjects (e.g. Civic knowledge, Ethics, Digital culture, etc.). Differentiation is achieved through varying levels of task difficulty and the option to organise competitions among students or groups. The methodology emphasises formative assessment, with teachers able to monitor student activity, provide feedback, and celebrate achievements.