Post by leunas on Oct 22, 2006 23:59:13 GMT -5
The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation have announced plans to invest $50 million in the area of digital learning.
Over the course of five years, the massive amount of money will be used to fund research and projects that will examine the impact of digital media such as videogames on youth.
“This is the first generation to grow up digital – coming of age in a world where computers, the internet, videogames, and cell phones are common, and where expressing themselves through these tools is the norm,” said MacArthur president Jonathan Fanton. “Given how present these technologies are in their lives, do young people act, think and learn differently today? And what are the implications for education and for society? MacArthur will encourage this discussion, fund research, support innovation, and engage those who can make judgments about these difficult but critical questions.”
According to MacArthur, the research will extend outside of the classroom and examine both formal and informal learning environments. “The research will test the theory that digital youth are different because they use digital tools to assimilate knowledge, play, communicate, and create social networks in new and different ways,” read a statement.
The foundation said that 83 percent of people aged eight to 18 play videogames regularly, and over 40 percent of U.S. teens play videogames daily.
Other announcements from Fanton include a new information hub for digital learning and six upcoming books related to the subject. The foundation had already funded several digital learning projects in the past.
www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4044&Itemid=2
Over the course of five years, the massive amount of money will be used to fund research and projects that will examine the impact of digital media such as videogames on youth.
“This is the first generation to grow up digital – coming of age in a world where computers, the internet, videogames, and cell phones are common, and where expressing themselves through these tools is the norm,” said MacArthur president Jonathan Fanton. “Given how present these technologies are in their lives, do young people act, think and learn differently today? And what are the implications for education and for society? MacArthur will encourage this discussion, fund research, support innovation, and engage those who can make judgments about these difficult but critical questions.”
According to MacArthur, the research will extend outside of the classroom and examine both formal and informal learning environments. “The research will test the theory that digital youth are different because they use digital tools to assimilate knowledge, play, communicate, and create social networks in new and different ways,” read a statement.
The foundation said that 83 percent of people aged eight to 18 play videogames regularly, and over 40 percent of U.S. teens play videogames daily.
Other announcements from Fanton include a new information hub for digital learning and six upcoming books related to the subject. The foundation had already funded several digital learning projects in the past.
www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4044&Itemid=2