Research Catalog

Title

Designing digital experiences for positive youth development : from playpen to playground / Marina Umaschi Bers.

Author

Bers, Marina Umaschi.

Publication

Oxford ; New York : Oxford University Press, c2012.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Description

x, 199 p. : ill.; 24 cm.

Summary

With the advent of the digital age, research on the psychological impact of youth engagement with technology has surged. New technologies have often taken the blame for promoting negative (and potentially dangerous) youth experiences, such as cyber-bullying, sexual predation, privacy invasion, addiction to videogames, and exposure to violence. For many children and adolescents, however, digital media and technology provide positive ways to express identity, communicate with peers, and engage in civic activities across communities. Based on over a decade and a half of research, Designing Digital Experiences for Positive Youth Development aims to guide readers in the design of digital technologies to promote positive behaviors in children and teenagers. Highlighting the positive impact of new technologies in various domains across the developmental span, from early childhood to late adolescence, the book explores how young people are using technology today, how these experiences influence different age groups and domains, and how mastering technological literacy can lead to confidence, competence, and developmental growth. Following this exploration, the author presents her own theoretical framework (coined Positive Technological Development, or PTD) for designing and evaluating programs to support children and teenager's positive uses of technology. Each chapter is supplemented with vignettes describing, from a developmental perspective, the diverse experiences of today's youth with current technology. Case studies are then presented that illustrate how PTD has effectively informed the design of educational programs. Offering a fresh perspective that bridges digital media and youth development models, this book will be an important resource for educators, policy makers, mental health professionals, as well as researchers interested in child development, psychology and learning technologies.

Subject

• Technology and children
• Internet and children
• Digital media
• Youth development

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references (p. [178]-189) and index.

Contents

The digital landscapes for youth -- Digital playgrounds vs. virtual playpens in early childhood -- Multimedia parks vs. virtual malls in the elementary years -- Wireless hangouts vs. a palace in time during high school -- A framework for designing digital landscapes for personal development -- Creating digital content to promote competence -- Creativity to build confidence -- Choices of conduct to develop character traits -- Communication for promoting connections -- Collaboration to form caring networks -- Community building as contribution -- Plotting learning trajectories through design -- Programs and policies -- From developing curriculum to designing experiences -- Case studies.

Call Number

JFE 13-3071

ISBN

• 9780199757022 (alk. paper)
• 019975702X (alk. paper)

LCCN

• 2011026865
• 7123478

OCLC

739099949

Author

Bers, Marina Umaschi.

Title

Designing digital experiences for positive youth development : from playpen to playground / Marina Umaschi Bers.

Imprint

Oxford ; New York : Oxford University Press, c2012.

Bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (p. [178]-189) and index.

Other Standard Identifier

7123478

Research Call Number

JFE 13-3071