I first heard about the Lemonade Stand Game last year in one of Dr. Marshall’s Edtec courses, either 540 or 544, and I remember it being the perfect example of a motivational game. The goal of this game is to make as much money as you can in 30 days running your very own business, a lemonade stand! You have complete control over every part of your business including pricing, quality control, inventory control, and purchasing supplies.

Attention- what first stimulates the curiosity of the learners is the concept of the game. Most of us remember as a child trying to start our own lemonade stand one summer afternoon with our friends. Here, they are curious how they can replicate that same experience in an online format. Once the learners begin playing the game however, their attention is maintained by the variability in function. Each “day” you sell lemonade, the forecast in the weather is different. Therefore, it is a different experience each time you play.

Relevance- This game might be more relevant for business students, or for those who are curious about the field, but there are certainly factors in the game that make it relevant to all users. One of the main points of relevancy for this game is the fact that most people have attempted to start a lemonade stand at least at one point in their life. This game makes them aware of factors such as customer service, pricing control, and inventory control that they might not have seen as relevant before. Also, because the game allows the players to see the immediate results of each“ day” from these factors, they are able to see the relevance behind their decisions.

Confidence- The Lemonade stand game allows for players to build their confidence by providing many opportunities for players to reach the goal. Unlike other games where if you lose a level, you start back from the beginning, Lemonade Stand gives you 30 “days” or tries to change factors, such as pricing and inventory, in order to increase profits. Also, the fact that the game gives player’s personal responsibility, or control over their decisions, is motivating for the players to continue reaching towards their goal.

Satisfaction- Lemonade Stand uses both positive reinforcement and operant conditioning to keep users motivated to play the game. If you earned more money at the end of one “day” more than the day before, you will be positively reinforced to continue playing. On the other hand, because the weather, pricing, inventory, changes everyday, some days the results will not always be positive, which keeps the learner engaged.