By: Karthik Chandrasekaran
Imagine something as fun as playacting going hand-in-hand with research on serious Internet Dangers. Last year, I spent many busy hours with my Cognetics team solving the issue of Internet Dangers as we developed a skit that creatively conveyed our solutions. This opened my eyes to the computer work we do everyday even though we don’t realize the potential dangers associated with it.##M:[more]##
Cognetics is one of the several programs offered by the National Talent Network (NTN) for grades K-12. It is a “team sport for the mind.” Cognetics teaches the process of creative and clever thinking, problem solving and analysis. This program is ideal for an out-of-the-box thinker who is inspired with numerous imaginative ideas. More information regarding the National Talent Network can be found at www.eirc.org/ntn .
Through Cognetics we learned that many kids today are trapped by Internet Dangers which has become a major concern of law enforcement, educators and parents. These days, a number of kids are being trapped into this issue deliberately or innocently. Last year, my 7th grade Cognetics group researched this issue including the interview with an officer from our local Plainsboro Police Force. The process of Cognetics involves active research in discovering solutions to this problem. I learned a lot about dangers of the Internet, and how it affects anyone who uses it. There are infinite amounts of solutions to avoid the negatives of the Internet, how to be safe on the Internet, and even organizations that help make the Internet a safer place to browse. Cognetics is a great way to learn many new principles and expand your knowledge about a specific topic. To our present findings, we created questions and answers that were later created into a mini-realty show, to represent how serious the problem has become.
The Cognetics skit that audiences see looks like a lot of fun. Cognetics is fun, but it is so much more than that. Cognetics is a great way to learn how to research, expand knowledge about a specific topic, and to experience working cooperatively and creatively in a team.
My experience with Cognetics taught me a lot about how to properly use the Internet safely, while having fun creating an award winning skit.
