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Auction System Overview

Create excitement with competitive bidding! Auctions allow students to compete for special rewards using their saved currency, teaching them about budgeting, strategy, and market economics.
Auctions are perfect for limited-quantity items or high-value rewards that would be unfair to sell at fixed prices.

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Creating an Auction

1

Navigate to Auctions

From your classroom dashboard, go to Auctions → Create Auction
2

Select Auction Item

Choose a reward from your global rewards catalog or create a special auction-only item
3

Set Auction Parameters

  • Starting Bid: Minimum bid amount (reserve price)
  • Start Time: When bidding opens
  • End Time: When auction closes and winner is determined
  • Quantity: How many winners (usually 1)
4

Launch Auction

Auction goes live at the scheduled start time

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Auction Timing

Best for: Daily excitement eventsExample: “Lunch selection auction - 30 minutes during morning work”
  • High energy and engagement
  • Students must decide quickly
  • Good for low-stakes items

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Bidding Process

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How Students Bid

1

Student Views Active Auctions

Students log into their dashboard and see available auctions
2

Check Current High Bid

Students see the current winning bid amount (bidder anonymous)
3

Place Their Bid

Enter amount higher than current bid - funds are reserved but not deducted
4

Outbid Notification

If outbid, student is notified and funds are released for new bid
5

Auction Closes

At end time, highest bidder wins and currency is deducted
Students can bid multiple times - only the highest bid counts and reserves their currency!

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Bid Rules

Bids must be higher than current high bid - no tie bids allowed
Students must have currency available - can’t bid more than their balance
Bids can be cancelled - before auction ends, students can withdraw
Winner is anonymous until end - reduces social pressure

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Auction Item Ideas

High-Value Privileges

  • Teacher’s chair for a week
  • First in line for a month
  • Homework pass (premium version)
  • Technology device choice
  • Special parking spot (older students)

Unique Experiences

  • Pizza lunch with teacher
  • Class party planning role
  • Field trip buddy selection
  • Show and tell extended time
  • Special presentation to class

Limited Physical Items

  • Premium toy or book
  • Sports equipment
  • Art supplies kit
  • Gift card (higher grades)
  • Special snack/treat

Group Benefits

  • Group free time
  • Class game selection
  • Extra recess for winners’ table
  • Group project topic choice

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Setting Reserve Prices

Start bids strategically to ensure fairness:
When to use: Weekly standard auctionsGives all students a chance while still requiring saving. Creates good participation.

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Multiple Item Auctions

Run several auctions simultaneously to increase participation:
1

Stagger Price Tiers

Run auctions at different reserve prices:
  • Low ($50) - accessible to most
  • Medium ($200) - for steady savers
  • High ($500) - for top savers
2

Vary Reward Types

Mix privileges, physical items, and experiences so different students are interested in different auctions
3

Schedule End Times

Consider ending auctions at different times so students can reallocate funds if they lose one auction
Running 3-5 simultaneous auctions means more students win something, keeping engagement high!

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Auction Management

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During the Auction

Monitor active auctions:
  • View current bids and leaders
  • See participation rates
  • Extend auction time if needed
  • Cancel if necessary (refunds all bids)

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After the Auction

1

Winner Determined Automatically

At end time, highest bidder is declared winner
2

Currency Deducted

Winner’s bid amount is removed from balance (transaction logged)
3

Deliver Reward

Mark auction as fulfilled when you give the item/privilege to winner
4

Announce Results

Consider sharing results with class to build excitement for next auction

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Best Practices

Establish consistent schedule:
  • “Freedom Friday” auctions every week
  • Same time, expected by students
  • Builds anticipation and planning behavior
  • Students save all week for specific items
Help students understand smart bidding:
  • Don’t blow entire balance on one item
  • Save some currency for backup
  • Bid strategically at the end
  • Know when to walk away
Don’t make everything auction-only:
  • Keep shop available for guaranteed purchases
  • Auctions for special items only
  • Balance risk/reward for students
Celebrate auction winners:
  • Creates social recognition
  • Motivates others to save for next time
  • Builds classroom culture around economics

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Auction Templates

Save time with reusable templates:
1

Create Template

Set up auction configuration you want to repeat
2

Save as Template

Name it descriptively (e.g., “Weekly Friday Auction Template”)
3

Reuse Weekly

Load template, swap out item if desired, launch
Templates save 90% of setup time for recurring auctions!

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Common Issues

Causes:
  • Reserve price too high
  • Item not desirable
  • Students don’t have enough currency
Solutions:
  • Lower starting bid
  • Survey students for wanted items
  • Increase earning opportunities before auction
Causes:
  • One student has much more currency
  • Other students not saving
Solutions:
  • Run multiple simultaneous auctions
  • Create “first-time winner priority” auctions occasionally
  • Teach all students saving strategies
Solution:
  • Frame as learning opportunity
  • Encourage saving for next auction
  • Ensure shop has consolation prizes
  • Remind that everyone can win eventually

Rewards System

Set up items available for auction

Currency System

Understand earning and spending mechanics