Takeuchi to speak on how families matter in the digital age

CHICAGO – Lori Takeuchi will be the keynote speaker at the American Association of School Librarian's (AASL) President's Program at the American Library Association 2012 Annual Conference in Anaheim, Calif. During her presentation, Takeuchi will discuss “Families Matter: Designing Media for a Digital Age,” the findings of two studies undertaken in cooperation with the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop.

Lori Takeuchi, PhD., is director of research for the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop, where she oversees research projects, partnerships and publications. Trained as a learning scientist, Takeuchi conducts research on how children use technology across the various settings of their lives and the implications these tools hold for their cognitive, social and identity development. Prior to earning her degree, Takeuchi spent several years designing curriculum-based science software in the greater Boston and San Francisco Bay areas. Her most recent publications include “The New Coviewing: Designing for Learning through Joint Media Engagement” and the “Families Matter” report.

The “Families Matter” report focuses on two complementary studies that document how families with young children are integrating digital media into their daily life. More than 800 parents of children, ages 3 through 10, were surveyed on their attitudes toward raising children in a digital age. The survey results were followed with in-depth case studies examining how parent attitudes toward technology, combined with family values, routines and structures are shaping children’s experiences using digital media. An executive summary and the full report are available for download at joanganzcooneycenter.org/Reports-29.html.

“I am honored to have Lori Takeuchi as the speaker for this year’s President’s Program,” said Carl Harvey, AASL president. “An in-depth look at this report will help school librarians understand how parents are – or are not – engaging in digital media with their children. I look forward to what Lori has to share.”

The AASL President's Program is an annual event featuring prominent experts on issues relevant to school librarians; it is open to all registered conference attendees. For more information about this and other AASL programs at the 2012 ALA Annual Conference in Anaheim, Calif., check the AASL website at http://www.ala.org/aasl/annual.

The American Association of School Librarians, www.aasl.org, a division of the American Library Association (ALA), promotes the improvement and extension of library services in elementary and secondary schools as a means of strengthening the total education program. Its mission is to advocate excellence, facilitate change and develop leaders in the school library field.