Institute of Play's blog

The Institute of Play is thrilled to announce that New York City will become home to Quest to Learn, a new 6-12th grade public school that will use game-inspired methods to teach both traditional and critical 21st century skills and literacies. Opening in fall 2009, the Institute of Play is creating the school in collaboration with New Visions for Public Schools, a not-for-profit organization that works in partnership with the New York City Department of Education to improve academic achievement in the City's public schools. The school will be a District 2 school, located in Manhattan. Quest will open with a 6th grade, adding a new grade each year. The school will be supported through an innovative partnership with The New School, Pearson, and Pearson Foundation. The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation will provide research support, as part of its Digital Media and Learning Initiative.

Download Press Release | Media Kit (zip)

"Pockets of Potential: Using Mobile Technologies to promote Children's Learning", a recent report published by The Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Street, looks into the educational potential of mobile technologies such as cell phones, iPod devices and portable gaming platforms.

It argues that although mobile devices have been considered a source of distraction for kids, there is huge potential if leveraged as learning tools. Extensive research including interviews with industry experts, reviews of existing products and relevant market trends suggests that mobile devices could potentially redefine teaching and learning in the next decade.

Michael H. Levine, the executive director of the Joan Ganz Cooney Center says that "Mobile devices are part of the fabric of children's lives today: They are here to stay." "Our national debate must shift from whether to use these devices to support learning, to understanding how and when they might best be used." The report calls for some key actions such as a gradual lifting of cell phone bans in schools and training teachers in effectively incorporating mobile technologies.

A new report issued January 22nd by the British social and learning network creator Intuitive Media, reveals new and remarkable findings about children, Internet use and parental engagement. Entitled, "Learning in the Family," the report was co-authored by Robert Hart of Intuitive Media and University of Hertfordshire psychology Professor Karen Pine. Two online surveys were conducted, first with a sample of 4,606 children aged six to fourteen, then going into more depth with a further 2,535 children and twelve families. The report presented a range of surprising statistics and provided a long overdue examination into the ways that parents are involved in children's learning.

The survey found surprising differences in the ways that women and men—whether children or adults—approached tools and technologies. One such finding was that girls have the "edge" over boys when it comes to the use of computers (94% over 88%), mobile phones (64% over 50%) and hand-held devices (68% over 61%). The study did find that boys were more likely to have game consoles (69% over 62%) and to use those consoles to access the Internet (23% boys over 12% girls). In tracking the behavior of a sampling of youth, this study provides an interesting snapshot of a population of "mobile kids," using any and all available means to learn, connect and explore online.

Become part of the founding faculty at a new, innovative public school called Quest to Learn!

In partnership with several organizations including New Visions for Public Schools, the Institute of Play, and the New School, Quest to Learn will open its doors this fall at a Manhattan location to-be-determined. The school will open 6th grade and will eventually grow to accommodate grades 6 through 12. For the 2009-2010 school year, we expect to hire six founding staff members with specializations in math, science (physics preferred), English, social studies, special education, and technology.