National Teleconference:
Digital Media: Re-Imagining Learning in the 21st Century

Listen to the teleconference:

Digital media are an increasing presence in our lives. Young people are engaging in learning and civic participation differently because of digital media. Yet the U.S. education system as a whole is lagging behind, largely unable to tap into the interactive and participatory nature of the Internet, video games, and social networking sites to engage young people and improve their learning. How does public education need to change in order to prepare young people for the complex and connected social, economic, and political demands of the 21st Century? How are young people changing as a result of digital media? What role can funders play in helping to spur the integration of digital media into schools, libraries, museums and other learning environments? In this teleconference, a panel of foundation leaders and a government partner discuss trends in and opportunities for digital media and learning that are making a difference.

Program Facilitator:

• An-Me Chung, Associate Director of Education, The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation

Presenters:

• Kerry McCarthy, Program Officer, Arts & Historic Preservation, The New York Community Trust
• Mark Nieker, President, Pearson Charitable Foundation
• Marsha Semmel, Deputy Director for Museums and Director for Strategic Partnerships, Institute of Museum and Library Services
• Connie Yowell, Director of Education, The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation

Following the presentations, a Q & A session offers participants the opportunity to ask questions and to share their own experiences with digital media and learning initiatives.

This teleconference is presented as part of the Foundation Center's Foundations for Education Excellenceinitiative, made possible through generous support from the C.S. Mott Foundation and additional support from the JPMorgan Chase Foundation for Philanthropy In/Sight®: Education. We also thank the Council on Foundations, the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers, Grantmakers for Education, and the Philanthropy Roundtable for their assistance with this effort.