Media Use by Tweens and Teens 2019

This census report is a big-picture look at how young people in the U.S. find entertainment and use devices. Beyond screen time, the report explores other critical challenges for families managing media use, from internet access for homework to unregulated, unrated online videos.

Common Sense Media. (2019). Common Sense census: Media use by tweens and teens 2019. San Francisco, CA: Common Sense Media.  

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/research/the-common-sense-census-media-use-by-tweens-and-teens-2019?j=7514895&sfmc_sub=168224478&l=2048712_HTML&u=137031445&mid=6409703&jb=220&utm_source=research_8-18census_2019&utm_medium=email 

 

Access to Books and Libraries as Predictor of Reading Scores

Replicating McQuillan’s analysis of 1992 NAEP scores, this study found that access to books in school and public libraries was a significant predictor of 2007 fourth grade NAEP reading scores, as well as the difference between grade 4 and grade 8 2007 NAEP reading scores, suggesting that access is important for improvement after grade 4. Access (school/classroom libraries) was a significant predictor of scores on the PIRLS test, a reading test given to fourth graders in 40 countries.

Krashen, S., Syying, L., & McQuillan, J. (2012). Is the library important? Multivariate studies at the national and international level. Journal of Language and Literacy Education, 8(1), 26-36. http://www.sdkrashen.com/content/articles/multivariate_studies.pdf

“Homework Gap” Hits Minority and Impoverished Students Hardest

A survey from ACT finds that lack of access to technology and Internet connectivity at home is especially severe among poor, rural, and minority students. It showed that 14% of students have access to only one device at home, and of those students 85 percent are classified as "underserved"—defined as economically disadvantaged, first-generation college students, and/or people of color. This topic is important because there may be specific challenges students will face if they only have access to one technological device at home.

Moore, R., Vitale, D., & Stawinoga, N. (2018). The digital divide and educational equity – A look at students with very limited access to electronic devices at home. ACT Center for Equity in Learning.

https://equityinlearning.act.org/wp-content/themes/voltron/img/tech-briefs/the-digital-divide.pdf

Perceptions and Attitudes on Public Libraries

In a new survey of Americans’ attitudes and expectations for public libraries, the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project finds that many library patrons are eager to see libraries’ digital services expand, yet also feel that print books remain important in the digital age. The availability of free computers and internet access now rivals book lending and reference expertise as a vital service of libraries.

Key findings include:

-       GPS-navigation apps to help patrons locate material inside library buildings: 34% of Americans ages 16 and older would “very likely” use that service and another 28% say they would be “somewhat likely” to do so.

-       “Redbox”-style lending machines or kiosks located throughout the community where people can check out books, movies or music without having to go to the library itself: 33% of Americans ages 16 and older would “very likely” use that service and another 30% say they would be “somewhat likely” to do so.

-       When Pew Internet asked the library staff members in an online panel about these services, the three that were most popular were classes on e-borrowing, classes on how to use handheld reading devices, and online “ask a librarian” research services. Many librarians said that their libraries were already offering these resources in various forms, due to demand from their communities.

Zickuhr, K., Rainie, L., & Purcell, K. (2013). Library services in the digital age. Washington, D.C.: Pew Research Center.http://libraries.pewinternet.org/files/legacy-pdf/PIP_Library%20services_Report.pdf