Abstract

Children are one of the largest new user groups of mobile technology -- from phones to micro-laptops to electronic toys. These products are both lauded and criticized, especially when it comes to their role in education and learning. The need has never been greater to understand how these technologies are being designed and to evaluate their impact worldwide. Mobile Technology for Children brings together contributions from leaders in industry, non-profit organizations, and academia to offer practical solutions for the design and the future of mobile technology for children.

*First book to present a multitude of voices on the design, technology, and impact of mobile devices for children and learning

*Features contributions from leading academics, designers, and policy makers from nine countries, whose affiliations include Sesame Workshop, LeapFrog Enterprises, Intel, the United Nations, and UNICEF

*Each contribution and case study is followed by a best practice overview to help readers consider their own research and design and for a quick reference

"Allison Druin, who I consider the seminal HCI researcher in children and emerging technologies -- has brought together other experts from the key perspectives on children and mobile technologies, and through these experts the reader has a chance to glimpse our future as these children are creating it." — Arnie Lund, User Experience Director, Microsoft

"I see this book as a fundamental source of ideas and inspirations for those in academia and business who research, design, and build mobile devices for children. Bravo to Allison and her contributors." – Chauncey Wilson, Senior User Researcher, Autodesk, Inc., Adjunct Instructor, HFID program at Bentley College

"The book is novel, engaging, and the only resource that brings together research and researchers in the area of mobile technologies for children."--Shailey Minocha, Open University UK, Interfaces, Vol 85, 2010