Until now, little research has been done with younger children, specifically preschool and early-elementary children. Below are the findings of a report that concentrates on reaching children in informal learning environments learning through apps made available for use by children during their leisure or out-of-school time.
“A mobile media revolution that is changing the lives of adults, and now children of all ages, is under way across the globe. This can bridge the digital divide ensuring that children from underserved or underrepresented populations receive the same opportunities to learn using smart mobile devices as their peers.
The trajectory for academic and life success is established in the preschool and primary years, when children are developing new habits for learning and social development.
But for better or worse, digital media as a prime pillar of family life is indisputable — and it’s here to stay. And while concerns about health and safety must be addressed, we are probing the potential of digital media to accelerate learning, especially for children who need intensive support to reach their potential.
We call for parents, practitioners, industry leaders, and policymakers to closely consider the prospect that mobile media can make a powerful educational impact beginning in early childhood.
Implications for education
• Optimize children’s time with mobile devices.
• Use mobile devices as supplemental tools.
• Surround children with high-quality educational resources.
Until now, little research has been done with younger children, specifically preschool and early-elementary children. The report concentrates on reaching children in informal learning environments learning through apps made available for use by children during their leisure or out-of-school time.”
BY
Chiong, C., & Shuler, C. (2010). Learning: Is there an app for that? Investigations of young children’s usage and learning with mobile devices and apps. New York: The Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop.
