The Cooney Center’s literacy experts Angelica DaSilva and Diane Gifford presented
“Bridging Reading Science and EdTech: A Framework for Evaluating Early Literacy Tools” at #AERA2026. Thanks for having us, @aeraedresearch.bsky.social!
What would a strong early learning R&D system look like?
The Cooney Center contributed to the Alliance for Learning Innovation’s new blueprint, which offers recommendations to improve the early learning R&D ecosystem. 📘 Read the full blueprint: bit.ly/4swqB82
We’re proud to have contributed to “Adolescents & Anthropomorphic AI: Rethinking Design for Wellbeing” a report by everyone.AIand the iRaise Lab. This report translates expert input into a practical, behavior-based approach for AI developers. Learn more: bit.ly/40NQ01N
Cooney Center Executive Director Michael Preston chatted with Omkar Kulkarni on his “A Dose of Optimism” podcast. They chatted about what makes the Cooney Center optimistic when it comes to kids and tech. Listen here: apple.co/4crZBAK
If you’re at #G4CLondon26, we’d love to see you at our session today (Apr 15th at 10 am BST)! ”Designing Gaming for Children’s Well-Being, Using the RITEC Design Toolbox” with collaborators from @unicef.org and @lego-group.bsky.social. More info: bit.ly/4t6az5W
Congrats to the “Oops!... AI Did It Again” Cohort of YF Innovators, the recipients of @youngfutures.bsky.social’s first dedicated funding initiative at the intersection of youth and AI. We’re excited to learn more about your work!
NYC Families: check out a free Digital Wellness Workshop for families this Sat 4/18 from 12-2 in Verizon’s Herald Square store. Register here: www.thegiantroom.com/programsfork...
See you at ASU/GSV! Our Senior Director of Research Medha Tare will moderate a fireside chat on Monday 4/13, and our Executive Director Michael Preston will participate in a panel on Tuesday 4/14. Details here: bit.ly/4lwLBJ7
See you at our #AERA2026 poster session! “Bridging Reading Science and EdTech: A Framework for Evaluating Early Literacy Tools” will introduce the Early Reading Literacy Edtech Evaluation Tool on Saturday 4/11. joanganzcooneycenter.org/event/bridgi... @aeraedresearch.bsky.social
On the blog: how Well-Being by Design Fellowship alumni Mariana Díaz-Wionczek and Rubin Soodak used #RITEC and #codesign to create a new Alma's Way game for preschoolers. Learn more: joanganzcooneycenter.org/2026/04/06/f...
⏰ IDC Call for Workshop Proposals due 4/14 ⏰ Submit your proposal to our IDC workshop “Frameworks in the Field: Considering Real Life Tensions When Designing AI for Children’s Well-being.” Organized by the Cooney Center, Foundry10, & University of Washington. More info: bit.ly/4sqU5oj
Why does co-designing digital technologies sometimes involve craft supplies? Open-ended materials allow adult and kid co-designers to easily collaborate. Learn more: bit.ly/4qf3y14 #codesign #codesignwithkids @thegiantroom.bsky.social
Happy #throwbackthursday! The 2021 Cooney Center Report “Learning Together” features remote research case studies and methodologies. Read the full report: joanganzcooneycenter.org/wp-content/u...
In the news: @commonsense Media has released a new report on parents’ views of AI-enabled toys. Read the full report here: bit.ly/4kKIa1P #AI
Some of the Joan Ganz Cooney Center team members ran into a few furry friends on the Street! We have the best colleagues- both muppet and human 💚💛
Families don’t need more controls. They need better defaults. “The Family Tech Cycle” report authored by Amanda Lenhart, presents an industry opportunity: tech design that reduces cognitive load for parents while simultaneously building family trust. 🔗 bit.ly/4b6a2cj
When the kid co-designers insist that the adult co-designer gets in the picture… that’s when you know real co-design has happened! We’re grateful for the privilege to #codesign better #edtech with kids. Learn more about our co-design work in the Sandbox: joanganzcooneycenter.org/initiative/s...
What did we learn about family tech use from interviewing parents and co-designing with families? Find out in our new report authored by Amanda Lenhart, “The Family Tech Cycle.” Read it here: bit.ly/4b6a2cj
We’re excited to share a new chapter for RITEC! A global initiative led by @UNICEF in partnership with the Cooney Center, The LEGO Foundation, The LEGO Group, and Games for Change, #RITEC is shifting into a new phase of applied industry practice. Learn more: uni.cf/4uOtgw9 #DigitalPlay
Heading to #AERA2026? We’d love to see you at our poster session! “Bridging Reading Science and EdTech: A Framework for Evaluating Early Literacy Tools” will introduce the Early Reading Literacy EdTech Evaluation Tool. 🔗 bit.ly/4bxmouu @aeraedresearch.bsky.social
We loved seeing happy kid and adult co-designers at the end of our co-design sessions with Magpie Literacy! Magpie is a product partner in our Sandbox for Literacy Innovations. Learn more about their work in the Sandbox here: bit.ly/3Mfzy6z
@thegiantroom.bsky.social
Our new report “The Family Tech Cycle: Navigating Screens, Devices and Social Media” is not just *about* families. It was designed *with* families. We conducted co-design sessions to design a better future together. Learn more: bit.ly/4b6a2cj
On the blog: Cooney Center alumni Michael H. Levine and Vikki Katz share the Or Initiative “Coming of Age in Polarized Times: Teaching Civil Discourse in a Digital Era” report.
@sxswedu.com 2026 was a resounding success for JGCC! We loved the energy that filled rooms with like-minded folks at the “Co-Designing Edtech with Kids” and “Level Up! Role-Playing Games for Wellbeing in the Classroom” sessions.
Thanks to all of the participants and #SXSWEdu!
Calling all teens with ideas about how to improve teenagers’ wellbeing online! Snap (makers of @snapchat) is currently accepting applications for their second U.S. Teen Council for Digital Well-Being (CDWB). Interested teens should apply by March 20. bit.ly/4l9gdkA
📣 IDC Call for Workshop Proposals 📣 Submit your proposal to our IDC workshop “Frameworks in the Field: Considering Real Life Tensions When Designing AI for Children’s Well-being” by 4/7. Organized by the Cooney Center, Foundry10, & University of Washington. More info: bit.ly/4sqU5oj
Tech parenting isn't a moment; it's a cycle. Our new report "The Family Tech Cycle: Navigating Screens, Devices, and Social Media,” by Cooney Center Senior Fellow Amanda Lenhart, introduces the Technology Parenting Cycle framework. Learn more: 🔗 bit.ly/4aYweXg
⏰TODAY 2-3:30 CT! If you’re in Austin for @sxswedu.com, please join us for the “Co-Designing Edtech with Kids” workshop at Austin Marriott Downtown 🔗 schedule.sxswedu.com/events/PP116... #sxswedu #sxswedu26 #sxswedu2026
Calling all NYC families! On this Saturday 3/14 from 10-11:30 am, the @cooneycenter and our partner The Giant Room are hosting a free Digital Wellness Workshop for Families (recommended for kids ages 5–12). Create your family’s tech rules together! RSVP: www.thegiantroom.com/programsfork...
