A Parent's Guide to KnowledgeLand

This section of Help is especially for you parents who want to know what KnowledgeLand is about and how you can be sure your child is spending time in a safe and educational environment while he or she is using the program.

Whatæand whereæis KnowledgeLand?
KnowledgeLand is a 3-D computer world created especially for kids.  The CD-ROM gives your child access to the land to "walk around in" as an animated character, collecting educational Knowledge Cards and earning points.  By connecting your computer to Knowledge Adventure via the Internet, your child can play KnowledgeLand along with other players.

What if we don't have access to the Internet?
Your child can still play KnowledgeLand without being connected to the Internet.  All of the activities described under Stuff To Do On Your Own are available to players using KnowledgeLand in Solo mode.  Your child will be able to explore the land and participate in activities, find and sort Knowledge Cards, and cash in Knowledge Card hands for points that he or she can use to upgrade his or her character.
By gaining access to the Internet, your child will also be able to participate in the multi-player aspects of KnowledgeLand described under Stuff To Do With Other Players.  In Multi-Player mode, your child can chat with other players, trade Knowledge Cards with other players and participate in cooperative game play.
Read How do I get connected? to find out how to sign up with an Internet Access Provider.

How much will it cost me when my child plays KnowledgeLand online?
Most Internet Access Providers charge a flat rate per month for a PPP or SLIP connection to the Internet.  Because the Internet itself is "free," this charge is your only cost, provided the phone number you use to connect your computer to your Access Provider is a local or toll-free number.  In other words, no matter how much time your child spends playing KnowledgeLand in Multi-Player mode, it will not cost you any more than the price of your Internet connection.

What can my child do in KnowledgeLand?
In KnowledgeLand, your child can:
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Explore:  Wander around in the land, looking for Knowledge Cards around every corner.  Take a ride on the Trolley or Gondola.  
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Play:  Find demo activities and slide shows on the JumpStart Campus.  Ride the Roller Coaster in the Brain Blast Amusement Park.
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Meet people:  Encounter other characters walking around in the land and read their ID cards to find out about them.
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Communicate and cooperate:  Chat with other players, trade Knowledge Cards and engage in other cooperative activities.
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Learn and earn points:  Read the Knowledge Cards and figure out how to sort them into hands that score the greatest number of points. 
To get an idea of how play proceeds, read Getting the big picture (overview).

What can my child learn from playing KnowledgeLand?
Your child will exercise a variety of skills and abilities in addition to learning specific facts from his or her Knowledge Card collection.
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Using the mouse to maneuver his or her character through KnowledgeLand will exercise your child's fine-motor skills and spatial ability.
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Chatting with other players in KnowledgeLand by typing phrases which are turned into speech will give your child practice in language and typing skills.
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Cooperating with other players to accomplish a goal will help refine your child's social skills.
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Collecting Knowledge Cards will expose your child to information about Science, Nature, History and the Fine Arts.
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Sorting Knowledge Cards into hands that have something in common will further your child's understanding of categories.
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Working to put together the highest-scoring hands of Knowledge Cards will challenge your child's mathematical ability.

How can I be sure my child is involved in a safe and wholesome activity while he or she is playing in KnowledgeLand with other players online?

We have built a number of features into KnowledgeLand to ensure that the environment remains a safe and fun place for kids to learn.

1.
Code of Community Conduct

Before a player can access KnowledgeLand in Multi-Player mode, he or she must read and agree to abide by the Code of Community Conduct at the Knowledge Adventure website.  Please read the Code along with your child and print a copy of it for future reference.  The purpose of the Code is to outline the basis of a safe community for kids who play in KnowledgeLand.  

2.
Email authentication

After a player clicks the "I agree" button, he or she will fill out a simple registration form, including a screen name and age.  We will then automatically send out a password, which arrives in the player's email box immediately.  This transfer of information provides a trail back to a player's Internet Access Provider in case we need to track a player for any reason. 

3.
Kidchat Dictionary

Words that are not included in the KnowledgeLand Kidchat Dictionary will not show up on the screen.  This will help ensure that appropriate language is used in KnowledgeLand.  While it will not be possible to filter out all innuendo and all synonyms for inappopriate language, we will remain vigilant in updating the dictionary.

4.
Translation of most common swear words

If a player types a common swear word or phrase in KnowledgeLand, it will automatically be translated into a more appropriate term. 

5.
Spot-checking of chat log

We will spot check the chat log from time to time to identify players who are saying inappropriate things or are using KnowledgeLand to cultivate inappropriate relationships.  We will issue these players warnings, and will not hesitate to revoke their KnowledgeLand Online privileges if they don't comply with the Code of Conduct.

6.
Spot-checking of ID Cards

We will also spot check ID Cards to make sure kids aren't typing inappropriate or unsafe things on these screens.
We encourage you as a parent to help guide your child in the use of KnowledgeLand onlineæor any online serviceæusing common sense.  For example, do not allow your child to give out your address, and urge your child to tell you about anyone with whom he or she is playing regularly.