Net-Detectives and Warwickshire Trading Standards create a Virtual High Street February 2004

Net-Detectives and Warwickshire Trading Standards are working together with other partners to create a resource called the Virtual High Street for Key Stage Four schoolchildren on the issues surrounding consumer education.

In our last issue we explained about the project and here we investigate the work of Net-Detectives. Net-Detectives is an exciting on-line educational role-play aimed at 9-12 year olds, which enables schoolchildren to solve real-life crimes under the supervision of their teacher while communicating with experts. It’s a fun way for children to engage in an educational and fun resource where they can learn about citizenship issues. The first activity will be run later on this year.

But how does it work? Schools register to take part and sign up for a particular event. On the day of the event, the schoolchildren login to the Action Centre in teams and the story, in the form of clues, unfolds bit by bit. Their job is to be the ‘net detectives’ and try to stop any crimes taking place using problem-solving skills. While the story is being revealed, experts are on hand in the Control Room to respond to any questions from participants. The scenario usually lasts for up to two hours. Hundreds of teams can participate at the same time and see each other's progress.

David Casey, founder of Net-Detectives and an ex police officer from Cambridgeshire, first ran Net-Detectives, originally called Superhighway Patrol, in June 1997. He wanted to be able to give children a chance to learn about issues that concern them in a fun way. It also enables the children to talk about the issues with experts in the subject while using computers – something which most children are comfortable with. For the last two years, Net-Detectives has worked under the umbrella of Childnet International, a children’s Internet safety charity.

For more information on Net-Detectives or Virtual High Street, please e-mail Ellen Rogers