=Kognito Interactive

COMPANY

We develop immersive learning simulations and e-learning programs for academic and business education. Our web-based simulations allow learners to practice and build experience in risk-free environments so they can better perform in real-life situations. Comprised of leading experts in psychology, learning, and game technology, our team has developed innovative simulation technologies and processes, including our award-winning Interpersonal Skills Simulation Platform that results in measurable results for our clients and partners. Our efforts concentrate on developing both custom and pre-packaged simulations and e-learning programs in the areas of management, leadership, and health through partnerships with leading content experts and academic institutions. Utilizing our expertise in assessment and behavioral change, we work closely with our clients to design and execute comprehensive assessments from level 1 through 3 that provide measurable data about the impact of our training on job performance.

SOLUTIONS: 1. Design and develop custom simulations and e-learning programs 2. Convert existing classroom-based materials into engaging simulations and online/blended programs 3. Provide pre-packaged learning simulations in the area of leadership and health Established in 2003, Kognito Interactive is a privately-held company with offices in New York City. Since its inception, Kognito has been determined to utilize its expertise in educational and cognitive psychology to push the boundaries of how technology can effectively help people reach their full potential. WHAT IS "KOGNITO"? The name Kognito is derived from the Latin word "cogito" which translates to "I think". Our play on the term reflects the company's mission to provide experiences that shape the way people think and behave.

ADVISORY BOARD
Robert J. Lee, Ph.D
Dr. Lee is an executive coach in the New York area, and he also teaches, writes, and speaks on the topic of coaching. He is an adjunct professor in the management department at Baruch College and is a senior fellow of the Zicklin Leadership Initiative. He is also an adjunct faculty at the Milano graduate school at New School University, and he is a faculty member of the International Center for the Study of Coaching at Middlesex University, London.
From 1994 to 1997, Dr. Lee was president of the Center for Creative Leadership, the world's largest leadership development and research organization. For the prior 20 years he was with Lee Hecht Harrison, the global career services firm he founded. He is co-author of Discovering the Leader in You (Jossey-Bass, 2001) and Executive Coaching: A Guide for the HR Professional (Wiley/Pfeiffer, 2004). His graduate degrees are in industrial/organizational psychology from Case Western Reserve University.

Larry Chong
Mr. Chong is a seasoned senior executive with extensive experience in directing business enterprises and helping entrepreneurs develop and launch new commercial businesses. Presently he advises companies interested in enhancing enterprise value through strategic planning and top-line growth.
Larry is a CPA and a CFP and obtained his BBA in Accounting from City College (Baruch) and his MBA in Finance from Pace University. He also completed the Executive Management Program of the Harvard Business School. Mr. Chong advises Kognito as part of Baruch Entrepreneurial Network (BEN).

Dan White
Dan White has over 25 years of experience in leadership development and coaching. After a successful career in Citicorp as the Organizational Development Director, Dan has developed and coached leaders in to companies such as Bristol-Myers Squibb, CBS, JP Morgan Chase Bank, Citibank, Dow Jones, Pfizer, and Siemens.
Dan holds an MA in Organizational Psychology from Columbia University and is the Chair of the New York Association of Leadership Coaching. Recently, Dan has published his first book titled “Coaching Leaders” [Jossey-Bass/Wiley, 2005].

MANAGEMENT TEAM
Dr. Glenn Albright, Director of Applied Research
Glenn's passion for learning fuels his activities at Kognito where, as Director of Applied Research, he is responsible for integration of learning theories into simulation platforms and assessing cognitive and behavioral impact as a result of simulation experiences.
When he's not taking in the fresh country air on off-roading adventures, Glenn can be found playing or watching sports and video games with his sons. Glenn is also faculty and chairperson at Baruch College's Department of Psychology.

Jenelle Boucher, Director of Instructional Design
Jenelle has always been drawn to fields that use visual media to tell stories that connect with people and enlighten them about new and interesting topics. In addition to having a Master's degree in the area of e-learning and human-computer interaction, Jenelle has also taught numerous university and ESL courses and has participated in the Certificate of University Teaching Program at the University of Waterloo.
As Kognito's Director of Instructional Design, Jenelle works closely with clients and end users to define the objectives of their training initiatives and then leads our team of designers to develop courses and simulations that meet those objectives
When she's not showing off her power swing on the tennis courts, Jenelle can be found with a chai tea and a book on evolutionary psychology.

Ron Goldman, Chief Executive Officer
Ron has extensive experience as an entrepreneur in the areas of new media and entertainment, including as a talent manager and agent for young and upcoming rock musicians.
As Kognito's Chief Executive Officer, Ron is responsible for developing the company's strategy, managing its execution, and building strategic relationships with clients and partners.
When he's not at Kognito, Ron can be found traveling to surf at a new and distant country, or exploring the city to further his knowledge of where to get the best brownies and espresso in NYC.

Jack Kalish, Lead Interactive Designer
It looks good, but doesn't work that well. Or how about it works well, but it doesn't look good? Jack's passion lies in merging creative and technical fields to produce compelling and enlightening interactive experiences, such as the one that took 1st place prize at the Technical Association of the Graphic Arts competition.
As Kognito's Lead Interactive Designer, Jack not only works in designing and developing simulations, but also in setting a broader design philosophy where simplicity and functionality is an art.
Jack can be found strolling around the halls of museums in the city, listening to music and taking in the art. Jack is an honors graduate from the New Media Design Program at Rochester Institute of Technology.

Ralph Vacca, Chief Learning Architect
Coffee keeps people awake and cell phones keep people in contact. Finding the right solution to increase human productivity and well-being, and making that solution market viable is Ralph's passion.
As Kognito's Chief Learning Architect, Ralph sets the vision for Kognito's simulation products and services, ensuring they make the best use of available technology and literature in human psychology to produce a significant change in learners
When Ralph isn't thinking about designing interactive learning environments, he's usually writing music on his guitar or playing and analyzing the latest computer game. Ralph is currently on leave from a doctoral program in educational psychology.

AWARDS

JOBS
Do you have what it takes to work at Kognito? We are always on the lookout for extremely talented staff for the following positions:

Flash Designer
Web Game Programmer
Instructional designers
Game designers
Project managers

Opportunities are available for internship, freelance, and part-time positions. Applicants should send a resume, cover letter, and link to an online portfolio or selection of sample work to jobs@kognito.com. Be sure to let us know why you want to work at Kognito.

TECHNOLOGY

Kognito has developed a number of proprietary technologies which provide cost-effective and pedagogically sound vehicles to design and deliver engaging experiences where learners can experiment, learn, and practice so they are better equipped to perform in real-life situations. One of our most exciting technologies is the award-winning Interpersonal Skills Simulation Platform. This web-based platform allows players to engage in conversations with realistic virtual characters - equipped with emotions and memory - and develop a strong understanding of the strategies and tactics that underlie effective and non-effective interpersonal communications. The user's performance within the simulation is recorded and then utilized to increase learning by highlighting decision-making patterns, assumptions, and behavioral tendencies. Other notable advantages of using our simulation technology: -Reduce the cost and risk of having people learn on-the-job with real customers and co-workers -Monitor performance change with powerful and standardized metrics -Increase engagement levels and impact of online and classroom-based training -Reduce development cost and time -Reduce cost of modifying and updating of existing simulations through the use of virtual animated characters versus video - Utilize simulation as a strong foundation for classroom discussion To learn more about our technologies, please contact us.

BUILDING EXPEREINCES

Taking a plane for the first time. A big job interview. A major power outage.

These experiences conjure up feelings and thoughts that serve as models in which to better understand and deal with relevant but different situations. In other words, we learn from these experiences, thus enabling us to better plan and perform in the future.

Humans learn through observation (vicarious learning) and practice (experiential learning).

We believe technology empowers people to acquire experiences that would otherwise take years to accumulate. Through simulated experiences individuals can form meaningful mental representations of realistic situations that let them better perform in the real world.

OBSERVATION
A man walks in to an office. He’s wearing the new suit his wife picked out for the big day today. He’s trembling with anxiety and his mind races through all the possible negative reactions his boss could have about asking for a raise. Maybe he’ll be fired, maybe he’ll just get yelled at.

Stories do more than tickle your interest. Stories provide vicarious experiences that we would otherwise have to accumulate on our own. Stories are a way of accelerating the experience building process without getting our hands dirty.

PRACTICE
While we can learn from observations or stories, we eventually need hands-on experiences to properly integrate what we’ve learned.

Practice in risk-free, simulated environments allows us to experiment and explore while receiving valuable feedback on our performance.

THE LEARNING MODEL
Our simulations engage learners in a realistic storyline where they can make decisions and experience the consequences of their actions. Their behavior within the simulation is captured and then utilized to empower the individual to observe, analyze and better understand underlying concepts leading to better performance.

SHOWCASE
Meeting Officer Roberts
Client: John Jay College of Criminal Justice (CUNY)
Overview: Kognito developed a leadership simulation to train NYPD officers in providing effective performance feedback. The simulation is used to augment the college's Police Certificate Program.

HURRICANE SHELTERING TRAINING ORIENTATION
Client: NYC Office of Emergency Management
Overview: Kognito designed an interactive training course for those who would staff New York City's hurricane sheltering system, giving them practice handling a virtual hurricane evacuation.

COPYRIGHT
© 2007 Kognito Interactive. All rights reserved.

PRIVACY
At Kognito Interatcive, we are committed to protecting your privacy. We use the information we collect about your company to save you time when we contact you. By asking some questions up-front we can give you a more personalized explanation of our product. Please read on for details about our privacy policy.
When you send in a request for information we need to know your name, organization, title and e-mail address. This allows us to contact you with the information you requested.
We also request additional information on your company although it is not required. This helps us to understand your organization before we contact you regarding the solution which best fits your interests.
Kognito will not sell, trade or rent your personal information to others. Kognito may provide aggregate statistics about our customers, sales, traffic patterns, and related site information to reputable third-party vendors, but these statistics will include no personal or company-identifying information. In limited cases, we may be required to disclose certain information to comply with a legal process, such as a court order, subpoena or search warrant.
By filling out our request for information form, you consent to the collection and use of this information by Kognito. If we decide to change our privacy policy, we will post those changes on this page so that you are always aware of what information we collect, how we use it, and under what circumstances we disclose it.
If we change any of our privacy policies or practices, we'll post those changes to this policy statement at least 30 days before they take effect.
Kognito welcomes your questions and comments about privacy. Please send your inquiry to feedback@kognito.net

LEGAL
Copyright 2007 Kognito Interactive. All rights reserved. No portion of this website may be reproduced in any form, or by any means, without prior written permission from Kognito Solutions LLC.
Kognito, Kognito Interactive, Kognito Solutions and the Kognito logo are trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks or registered service marks of Kognito Solutions, LLC in the United States and other countries. Kognito Solution’s trademarks may be used publicly only with permission from Kognito Solutions. Fair use of Kognito Solution's trademarks and service marks in advertising and promotion of Kognito Solution’s products or services requires proper acknowledgement.
The contents of these pages are subject to periodic change without notice from Kognito Solutions, LLC. This site is provided by Kognito Solutions on an "as is" basis. Kognito Solutions makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, as to the operation of the site, the information, content, materials or products, included on this site. To the full extent permissible by applicable law, Kognito Solutions disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including but not limited to, implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Kognito Solutions will not be liable for any damages of any kind arising from the use of this site, including but not limited to direct, indirect, incidental punitive and consequential damages.

PROCESS
Designing an engaging interactive experience is half science half art. We believe the key to bringing to life a great idea, is a great process. Here’s how we do it…

Phase 1: The Preliminary Proposal
Many clients contact us with a specific training need they have. To figure out the best way to address their need using a simulation, we engage in a short needs analysis (for free!). In this phase we learn more about their need, their learners, and then create a preliminary idea of how the simulation should work and look. At the end of this process, we put together a preliminary proposal that covers the idea for the simulation and its cost.

Phase 2: Finalizing the Proposal and Signing an Agreement
Following further discussions with the client, we finalize the proposal and sign an agreement. In some cases, we offer to share the cost of development in return for the right to re-sale modified versions of the simulation to other clients.

Phase 3: Kick off Meeting
Once the agreement is signed, we conduct a kick off meeting where we re-iterate the objectives of the project and finalize the schedule and team that will be involved.

Phase 4: Needs Analysis
Then we conduct a thorough needs analysis to clearly define the content and behaviors to be encapsulated in the simulation, the impact to be expected, and the assessment protocol to be integrated. This is achieved through meetings with the client team and sample end users.

Phase 5: Instructional Design Plan/Game Design
In this phase, we develop the theme, narrative style, and the general user interface design for the resource. The concept is run through focus groups and the client and is refined as needed.

Phase 6: Production
In this phase, the instructional design plan is used to create the simulation. During production, we continuously seek client feedback and conduct user testing sessions to refine design and ensure quality assurance.

Phase 7: Final Delivery
Once all changes resulting from final focus group and client feedback are integrated, we deliver an unforgettable learning experience that improves your organization's performance.

Contact us today for a more detailed overview of our process or to start discussing your need.

CONTACT US
= Kognito Interactive
150 West 28th Street
Suite 902 - B
New York, NY 10001
(212) 675-9234

General Questions:
(212) 675-9234
info@kognito.com

Business Development and Sales:
Ron Goldman, CEO
(212) 675-9234

Requests for Presentations:
Ralph Vacca, Chief Learning Architect
(212) 675-9234

Job Inquires:
Head of Recruitment and Talent Management
jobs@kognito.com