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TEC Center Research

Interdisciplinary applied research that lies at the intersection of child development, psychology, communication, and policy.

The TEC Center is dedicated to answering research questions that inform theory and support parents, practitioners, educators, librarians, and media developers in making the best possible media decisions for and with their children.

Current research projects include:

Current Projects

Stock photo of a group of people using technology in a library.

Supporting 21st Century Youth Librarians

We were awarded a 3-year Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Lifelong Learning Project grant in partnership with geographically diverse public United States libraries, Carroll County Public Library system, Chandler Public Library, and the Scarborough Public library.

child on zoom

Zoom Learning Study

We are conducting a Zoom learning study to understand how children’s visual attention during a Zoom lesson impacts student comprehension. Please contact us if you are interested in joining our research participant database.

Father and son listening to music

Susan Crown Exchange Tech + Society

We launched a two-year pilot research and development project that empowers adolescent youth in Evanston, IL to help each other use digital technology in healthy and productive ways. The project includes opportunities for adolescents to conduct the research and then use the research to inform the development of a curriculum for a peer to peer mentorship program with middle school students.

Child E-learning

Remote Teaching Teacher Survey

We conducted a large quantitative survey to document how early childhood teachers (grades PreK-3rd) used technology to support students during remote or e-learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

TEC Center Research Publications

Jennifer Herdzina
Jennifer Herdzina, MS
Program Manager, Technology in Early Childhood Center
“ Young children and adults use the same digital devices, but do not interact with these devices in the same way. A scientific perspective is essential to understand how young children use and learn from digital devices and other technologies. ”
Teacher with Tech

Professional Development Services

Erikson Institute’s Technology in Early Childhood (TEC) Center offers innovative professional development workshops, webinars, and programs designed to develop early childhood educators as leaders in technology integration in early childhood classrooms.

Learn More About Our Services

We Are an IL-EMPOWER Approved Learning Partner

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