MacArthur Foundation Commits $50 Million to Study Digital Learning

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 20, 2006 - 1:35pm.

New York - The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation this week announced plans to commit $50 million over five years to fund research and innovative projects focused on understanding the impact of the widespread use of digital media on youth and how they learn. "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." The Foundation has already funded exploratory grants for researchers at several universities, and plans to publish six books in 2007 representing leading research and thinking on a range of digital media and learning topics.
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http://www.digitallearning.macfound.org