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State of Illinois turns to IPRO team for website e-learning program.
Problem
When the Department of Securities for the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office looked at various data
on indebtedness among teens and young adults; they were troubled by what they saw. Despite having
little or no earning power, the average 17-21 year old has $2,770 in debt. The average college student
carries four credit cards, with average credit balances of $2,748 for undergraduates and $4,776 for
graduate students.
The Securities Department—charged with consumer education outreach programs—concluded fresh approaches
were needed to teach a new generation of consumers about the safe, responsible use of credit. “More
and more, we see young people coming out of college already burdened with consumer debt,” said
Secretary of State Jesse White. “It’s our responsibility to teach them how to be responsible consumers
and the effects of purchasing items with that credit card before they receive it in the mail.”
Solution
The Secretary of State’s Office turned to IIT to enlist the help of an IPRO team. Applying
methodologies developed through IIT’s Usability Testing & Evaluation Center over three semesters, the
team produced CreditSafe, an interactive, online game that teaches safe, responsible use of credit
cards.
To play, users create their own financial profile, establish checking and savings accounts, and select
up to three credit cards. Players are then challenged with different scenarios and given scores for
how well they use credit cards, pay credit card balances and manage their money. To add more realism,
real-life events (gifts or unanticipated expenses) pop up randomly throughout the game.
CreditSafe view here: http://sos.iit.edu.
Sponsor
Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Securities
Alumni Involvement
The IPRO sponsorship was brought about with the support of Tanya Solov, Director of Enforcement
for the Illinois Department of Securities of the Secretary of State. She is an IIT trustee, alumna
of IIT’s Chicago-Kent College of Law and Stuart GSB, and president of the IIT Alumni Association
Faculty Advisor
Susan Feinberg, Professor of Humanities and Director of the IIT Usability Testing & Evaluation Center
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