New America
In Depth

Early Learning in the Digital Age

Methodology

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Methodology

The data for Integrating Technology in Early Literacy (InTEL) 2016 were collected from December 2014 through mid-March 2016 through the use of Google Survey. In InTEL 2018, the data were collected from September 2017 through January 2018, using SurveyMonkey. New America and the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop used social media, newsletters, and emails to promote the completion of each survey. Both data visualization projects were designed to provide a snapshot during a period of rapid innovation in communities across the country.

Programs appear on the map according to parameters that we established at the beginning of each collection process. Products—such as websites, curated collections, subscription-based online libraries, apps, or e-books—are not included in the InTEL project. Our intention was to capture information on how educators and community leaders are integrating technology into pilot and ongoing programs. If a product was or is integrated into a program conducted by a community-based organization or school, the product name is included in our program profiles. Programs under way in individual classrooms were not included, unless they were connected to a center- or school-wide initiative or a broader program.

We sorted programs by their evidence of impact, type, languages, ages served, number of children served, and technological tools used. In InTEL 2018, the tools were organized into two categories: device and software.

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Background
In Depth

Early Learning in the Digital Age

About this Project

New America's Education Policy program and the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop have partnered to produce an interactive toolkit for leaders interested in promoting early learning and supporting families in the Digital Age. This work was made possible through generous funding from the Joyce Foundation. Seed funding came from the Alliance for Early Success and the Pritzker Children’s Initiative.

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Authors

Shayna Cook was a policy analyst with the Education Policy program at New America. She was a member of the Learning Technologies project. Cook researched and reported on innovation in family engagement, new technologies, and digital equity issues concerning children from birth through third grade.

Lisa Guernsey is director of the Learning Sciences Exchange (LSX) and a senior director and strategic advisor in the Education Policy program at New America.

Michael H. Levine is an internationally recognized policy, program and research expert who has led early childhood and K-12 educational transformation at public and private companies, foundations, and government agencies. He has deep experiences researching the educational, developmental, and socioeconomic implications of emerging media to inform policy and legislation, fuel innovation, promote educational equity, and influence educational program decisions. He is the author of 40+ publications and policy briefs, co-author of Tap, Click, Read: Growing Readers in a World of Screens, keynote speaker, and board member for non-profit and double bottom-line social venture organizations. He was named one of US’ most influential leaders in family policy by Working Mother magazine.

Laura Zimmermann is the founder and president of Tech Play Collaborative and a research fellow at the Bay Area Discovery Museum.

Sadaf Sajwani is the Director of Partnerships & Planning at the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop.

Elisabeth McClure is currently a research specialist at the Lego Foundation Centre for Creativity, Play, and Learning. She is a former fellow at the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop.

Project Outline:

Dataset:

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