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Michael Preston, Executive Director, Medha Tare, Senior Director of Research, and Liza Gak, Postdoctoral Fellow at the Joan Ganz Cooney Center, are leading researchers focused on child-centered educational technology. Together, they are helping edtech organizations design better products by combining learning science, participatory co-design, and thoughtful approaches to AI.
💡 5 Things You'll Learn in This Episode
- Why involving children early in product design leads to better edtech.
- How the Joan Ganz Cooney Center's co-design methodology differs from traditional user testing.
- What children's feedback reveals about AI tutors, reading buddies, and learning experiences.
- Why learning science and child-centered design should guide AI-powered products.
- Practical ways edtech teams can adopt co-design to build more engaging and effective learning tools.
✨ Episode Highlights
[00:03:35] Introducing the Co-Design with Kids Toolkit and why child-centered design starts before user testing.
[00:06:22] How learning science and the Translating Literacy Research to EdTech framework shape stronger products.
[00:11:14] What participatory co-design actually looks like in practice.
[00:20:53] Surprising insights from children including why "less is more" with AI.
[00:24:15] How educators and product teams should think differently about AI in learning.
[00:31:53] Practical advice for bringing co-design into every stage of product development.
[00:39:20] What's next for AI, child-centered design, and the future of edtech.
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🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:
Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.
This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.
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