Spotlight on Digital Media And Learning

Are Class Differences in Parenting Creating a New Digital Divide?

Research shows social class has a big effect on parenting style. Does it influence how kids use digital media too? Heather Chaplin examines what the digital divide means in 2012.

Is Surveillance the Best Way to Protect Children Online?

The New York Times asks whether online tracking is the best method for keeping children safe in the digital world. Some say digital literacy and trust is a better approach.

PLAYBACK: School is Out, Learning is In

Concerns over the level of academic preparedness in the United States are reflected in numerous stories about how to stem the “summer slide”—the loss of math and reading skills that can occur when the school year ends. In this week’s PLAYBACK, we’ve pulled together a number of recommended activities, most with a digital component, to keep skills sharp while having fun.

All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten: How to Use Twitter From Kindergarten to College

As Twitter continues to make more inroads into academic spaces, two recent articles demonstrate its use across the educational spectrum and explain how teachers are addressing privacy and other concerns.

The Kids Are Already There: Why (Legally) Allowing Young Children on Facebook May Make More Sense Than You Think

Experts say instead of promoting prohibition, we need to empower kids to have safe, positive experiences with technology.

Why We Don’t Need to Worry About Constantly Texting Teens

Texting dozens of times per day, as many teenagers do, is nothing for adults to be overly concerned about, say researchers Alice Marwick and danah boyd. High school life is still about friends, relationships, grades, family, and the future.

Reading Matters: New Study on Print vs. E-Books for Young Children

A new “quick study” by the Joan Ganz Cooney Center comparing print, basic e-books, and enhanced e-books finds that some highly interactive features can be distracting for young children, but e-books are helping to build enthusiasm for reading, an essential building block for literacy.

The Smart Person’s Guide to the Holiday Weekend: What to Watch, Read and Do

Sure you can sleep in (we’ll point you to apps for that), but if you plan on learning something new this weekend, check out these suggestions. We’ve rounded up videos on how information gets made, a book on raising kids in the digital age, a map connecting bike lanes across America, and advice for measuring the universe.

Watching Children Grow Up in Public Spaces: “Lotte Time Lapse” in the Age of Sharing

Nearly 5 million of us have watched Lotte Hofmeester grow up, literally before our eyes, giving rise to the question: At what age should kids be able to decide for themselves whether they want their past, or their present, shared with the world?

Identifying Quality Digital Resources for Early Learning

The Fred Roger’s Center launches Ele to share digital resources that support early learning and development. Experts say the most important resource is still face-to-face conversation.

Playing Along: Why Parents and Educators Need to Use & Discuss Media With Children

What can adults do to make media more effective as a learning tool in the home and classroom?

New Report Finds Rapid Growth in Children’s App Market

The number of apps for toddlers and preschoolers grew by 23 percent in the last two years, according to a new report by the Joan Ganz Cooney Center. Plus, the importance of meaningful co-viewing between children and adults.