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Roundtable Discussion: Teaching with Games, Part 2

In the part two of a roundtable discussion on teaching with games, Sandhya Nankani talks to Paul Darvarsi and Aleksander Husoy about what teachers look for in learning games and explore some of the qualities that make the teaching games successful. See part 1 here. Teachers on games for learning   Sandhya: A recent study found that 91 percent of children in the United States ages 2-17 play video games! What an opportunity they present as a... 

Roundtable Discussion: Teaching with Games, Part 1

I recently met Paul Darvasi and Aleksander Husøy at the annual UNESCO Forum on Global Citizenship Education in Ottawa, where we were on a panel hosted by the Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development. The subject of our panel was a debate on the topic, “Innovative pedagogies for ESD and Global Citizenship Education: Is game-based learning the future?” Both Paul and Aleks use games in the classroom often when... 

The Aprendiendo Juntos Council Welcomes New Voices

On May 10, the fourth annual meeting of the Aprendiendo Juntos Council took place at Northwestern University. The Aprendiendo Juntos Council brings together researchers, practitioners, media producers, and educators in an effort to form a united coalition to advance learning in Hispanic and Latino families. Returning participants were excited to reunite in person and to welcome several new professionals who brought great energy to the already... 

Diversity in Apps Launches New Initiative

Earlier this year, Sandhya Nankani, founder of Literary Safari, wrote a blog post for our site about the need for more diversity in kids’ apps. As often happens when an important idea bubbles to the surface, a movement has been born. Sandhya tells us the blog post sparked a great deal of conversation, and an interdisciplinary group of producers, publishers, educators, and academics has just launched a new initiative called... 

White House Conference Focuses on Breaking Down Gender Stereotypes in Children’s Media

April was a busy month at the White House. In addition to the Early STEM Learning Symposium (which Elisabeth McLure reported on last week), the White House also played host to a day-long conference, “Helping Children Explore, Learn, and Dream Without Limits: Breaking Down Gender Stereotypes in Media and Toys.” Presented by Common Sense Media’s Dr. Yalda T. Uhls, this infographic shows the many factors that impact self and body-image See... 

Mind the (Diversity) Gap in Kids’ Digital Media

Learn more about Multicultural Children’s Book Day Despite the fact that 37 percent of the U.S. population consists of people of color, only 10% of children’s books published over the past 18 years contain multicultural content. Today’s celebration of Multicultural Children’s Book Day (MCCBD) is a direct response to this diversity gap that exists in the world of children’s books. Started by two blogger moms and reading and play experts,... 

Walking the Diversity Talk

Over the past year, the conversations around diversity in children’s media have reached a crescendo. Players and consumers have set forth a clear challenge to industries ranging from tech to publishing: Create media and content that inspires and reflects the diverse learners—children and families—who are consuming your content. According to Common Sense Media, 75% of all American children have access to some kind of mobile smart device and as... 

Diversity in Children’s Media Matters

“So, can you tell me what some of your favorite shows are?” As a researcher on the Families and Media Project, I had the opportunity to talk to several children about their media use. I sat in 8-year-old Lina’s kitchen as she tried to answer my questions, though it was clear she would rather enjoy her plate of macaroni and cheese in peace. She told me that because her family did not currently have cable, she spent most of her time watching... 

What Toy Makers Are Doing About Gender and Diversity

Last week, Sandhya Nankani wrote about the White House Conference on gender and diversity in toys. Here she describes the toy industry’s efforts to break down existing stereotypes and create new narratives that empower girls.   The toy world is abuzz with the recent launch of the newest Barbie doll, modeled after Misty Copeland, the first black female principal dancer at the American Ballet Theater. The doll is a part of Barbie’s... 

A Checklist for Evaluating Diverse Children’s Media

As a children’s librarian at a small library, a significant part of my job is to find and purchase the best books, audiobooks, puzzles, apps, websites, devices, and even toys for kids and teens ages 0-18. I’m also tasked with making sure families can find them in the library. Some of these items will go on shelves for check out, some will be used in programs like storytime, the maker club or a long list of other programs held throughout the...