Over the course of this five-year RTL grant initiative, WestEd assessed the impact of multiple transmedia early science and literacy programs on family engagement and student learning among young children in both the classroom and home environments.
Read the WestEd Ready To Learn Research and Evaluation Summary Report, Years 1 to 5.
WestEd Reports, Journal Publications, and Other Resources
PBS KIDS Mathematics Transmedia Suites in Preschool Families and Communities (WestEd, 2012): Children’s math scores improved and parents increased their support of children’s math learning while using Ready To Learn content.
Learning with PBS KIDS: A Study of Family Engagement and Early Mathematics Achievement (WestEd, 2015): PBS KIDS resources, coupled with family engagement, can help narrow the math achievement gap for children from low-income families and better prepare them for kindergarten.
ODD SQUAD: Learning Math with PBS KIDS Transmedia Content at School and Home (WestEd, 2015): Use of ODDSQUAD resources was shown to improve elementary-age students’ mathematics learning.
Learning Math with Curious George: PBS KIDS Transmedia and Digital Learning Games in the Preschool Classroom (WestEd, 2016)
Pilot Testing of PBS KIDS Transmedia Suites (PBS Learning Media, 2011)
Evaluation of The Electric Company Summer Learning Program (PBS Learning Media, 2011): Students made significant gains in math, vocabulary, numeracy and phonics skills.
Study of PBS KIDS’ and Chicago Public Schools’ Virtual Pre-K Ready for Math Program (PBS Learning Media, 2012)
Alpha Testing of PBS KIDS Transmedia Suites (PBS Learning Media, 2012)
Evaluation of BU’s Teaching Tips for Using PBS KIDS Transmedia in Kindergarten Class (PBS Learning Media, 2012)
Augmented Reality Exploratory Study to Support the Development of PBS KIDS AR Games (PBS Learning Media, 2012)
Ruff Ruffman’s Monumental Mini-Golf 3D Immersive World Report (PBS Learning Media, 2013)
Learning Math with Curious George and the Odd Squad: Transmedia in the Classroom (Technology, Knowledge & Learning, 2018)
Transmedia Activities: Engaging Families to Improve Children’s Early Mathematics Achievement (Harvard Family Research Project, 2016)
New Technologies in Pre-K to Grade 3: Needs Assessment (PBS Learning Media, 2011)
Mobile Devices and Mobile Applications in Low-Income Pre-K to Grade 3 Families (PBS Learning Media, 2012)
Conference Presentations
AEA 2016, Developing Educational Media With Formative Evaluation Practices, Presented by: Sara Atienza, Linlin Li, Michelle Tiu, & Betsy McCarthy
Headstart 2015, PBS KIDS Mathematics Transmedia Suites in Preschool homes, Presented by: Betsy McCarthy, Linlin Li, Michelle Tiu, Sara Atienza, & Priscilla Motley
CRESST 2015, Engaging Families in Early Mathematics Learning: A Study of Preschool Family Engagement Model, Presented by: Betsy McCarthy, Linlin Li, Sara Atienza, & Michelle Tiu
AERA 2015, PBS KIDS Digital Tools Support Parent Engagement in Young Children’s Math Learning in Low-Income Communities, Presented by: Betsy McCarthy
AEA 2014, Formative Evaluation in the Development of Educational Media, Presented by: Betsy McCarthy, Linlin Li, Sara Atienza, & Michelle Tiu
AERA 2014, Engaging Parents in Early Mathematics Learning through Transmedia Games, Presented by: Betsy McCarthy, Linlin Li, Ursula Sexton, Sara Atienza, & Michelle Tiu
AERA 2013, Transmedia in the Classroom: Evaluation of The Electric Company Summer Learning Program, Presented by: Sara Atienza, Lisa Michel, Michelle Tiu, & Danielle Yumol
Learn More
For more information about WestEd’s Ready To Learn Evaluation of Transmedia Science Learning Resources for Children & Families (2010-2015), visit us at WestEd.org/project/ready-to-learn-evaluations or email us at info@WestEd.org.