When you read about games and education, you think about kids using games as learning tools, but Kognito Interactive's At Risk for High School Educators is an educational game aimed at preventing suicide amongst high school teens - and it is meant for teachers. The game was developed jointly by the New York State Office of Mental Health (NYSOMH) and Kognito Interactive, and marks the beginning of a three-year educational program aimed at training some 30,000 high school teachers in the state on how to spot and help troubled teens who may be suicidal.
"At-Risk for High School Educators is the first online training available to provide realistic and risk-free role-play exercises in identifying, speaking with, and referring troubled youth," said Ron Goldman, co-founder and CEO of Kognito.
The game is designed to train educators by using several scenes featuring three student avatars using dialog trees. The game simulates teen behavior and charges participants with figuring what do within each situation. Educators also view a full profile for each student avatar, complete with grades, behaviors and appearance, which is meant to provide them with tools that can help them figure out how to help each student.
You can get a look at the game yourself by visiting www.preventsuicideny.org/Kognito.html.
Source: Examiner
