About this session

Thursday, 1:40 PM - 3:10 PM

Integrating Developmental Research to Enhance Educational Technology Interventions for Early Learners

Developmental science has yielded a wealth of research and theory (e.g., cognitive, socio-emotional) that have implications for enhancing early education. However, while useful starting points for educational design, findings from rigorous developmental research are typically derived from research in controlled contexts (e.g., small n classroom studies conducted over short timescales, lab studies, etc.) and on specific aspects of development (e.g., cognitive or social or emotional, etc.). In practice, practitioners and education developers must integrate research and theory from multiple aspects of development (e.g., cognitive and social and emotional, etc.) in varying contexts, for varied learners, and while also taking into account practical constraints of classroom settings. In the present symposium, we present education technology products that utilize research and perspectives from developmental science to support learning and development in the ‘blooming, buzzing confusion’ (Brown, 1992; p. 141) of classroom settings. The products range in their design for early elementary grades (K - Grade 4) and educational domains (mathematics, language, and music education). Moreover, each product is rigorously tested and validated through research that takes place in varied classroom settings over educationally relevant timescales (e.g., multiple months, a year). The symposium will specifically consist of four, 15 minute presentations: three that overview each education product, and a discussant presentation that comments on the broader themes. In sum, this symposium will include a breadth of examples illustrating how developmental research and theory across a range of areas can be both integrated and tested to ensure the interventions improve learner outcomes in formal education settings.

Paper #1
Title	Boosting Early Math Mastery with Interactive Digital Journeys
Presenting author	Linlin Li, Ph.D., WestEd, United States

Paper #2
Title	Improving Early Literacy: A Game-Based Learning Program to Support English Learners
Presenting author	Jessica Triant, WestEd, United States

Paper #3
Title	Supporting elementary music education access and creative development through an online platform
Presenting author	Eunice Chow, WestEd, United States

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Session chair
Linlin Li, Ph.D., WestEd, United States

Discussant
Bryan Matlen, Ph.D., WestEd, United States

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