Tim Holt talks with Dr. Michael Levine, Executive Director of the Joan Ganz Cooney Center.

The Joan Ganz Cooney Center was founded by it's namesake, the founder of the Children's Television Workshop, now Sesame Workshop, as a center to study the ways digital media impact students and for explore the ways that media can be best used to positively impact children.

Dr. Levine and Tim discuss the work of the center, how media impacts children's lives, and some strategies to best improve how media works with children.

This is a fascinating talk and well worth the time to listen.

About  Dr. Michael Levine:

Dr. Levine oversees the Center's efforts to catalyze and support research, innovation and investment in educational media technologies for young children. Prior to joining the Center, Dr. Levine served as Vice President of New Media and Executive Director of Education for Asia Society, managing the global nonprofit organization's interactive media and educational initiatives to promote knowledge and understanding of Asia and other world regions, languages and cultures. Previously, Dr. Levine oversaw Carnegie Corporation of New York's groundbreaking work in early childhood development, educational media and primary grades reform, and was a senior advisor to the New York City Schools Chancellor, where he directed dropout prevention, afterschool and early childhood initiatives. Dr. Levine has been a frequent adviser to the U.S. Department of Education and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, writes for public affairs journals, and appears frequently in the media. He was named by Working Mother magazine as one of America's most influential leaders in shaping family and children's policy and serves on numerous nonprofit boards, including We Are Family Foundation, Ready To Learn, Talaris Institute and Teach For America. Levine is also currently a senior associate at the Edward Zigler Center in Child Development and Social Policy at Yale University. He received his Ph.D. in Social Policy from Brandeis University's Florence Heller School and his B.S. from Cornell University.

Joan Ganz Cooney Center:

http://www.joanganzcooneycenter.org