The document summarizes discussions from several panels at a conference on digital media and learning held at USC School of Cinematic Arts on May 16-17, 2011. Panel 1 addressed using digital tools to engage students and preserve social history. Panel 3 discussed defining educational standards and evaluating learning from digital programs. Panel 4 called for collaboration between education and entertainment industries to build infrastructure supporting digital media in learning. Panel 5 proposed a public awareness campaign to address literacy issues. Panel 6 advocated for higher standards of learning that include relationships and early digital literacy.

1. May 16 and 17, 2011 | USC School of Cinematic Arts
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Panel 1: Storytelling, interactivity, engagement
We should strive to demonstrate to teachers how digital media can be used to increase
efficiency because teachers are hard-pressed for time.
When you have the opportunity to provide a web-based teaching tool for free (as with
world wide telescope), it can scale up fast and globally.
Allow older kids to create content for younger kids.
Don't talk to teachers as though in a void, but in the community context in which they work.
Honor and respect teachers for what they know about learning.
We can use transmedia tools to preserve social history in new ways.

2. May 16 and 17, 2011 | USC School of Cinematic Arts
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Panel 3: Expanded learning: activity & production, mobile & apps
Educational standards: What is educational? How do we define educational/ how do we
measure?
Evaluation: How do we know that kids are actually learning from programs/media? How do
we enable good research and proper evaluation when we know it’s not always feasible?
Moderation: How do we make sure digital spaces are safe for kids? What is the role of
parents?

3. May 16 and 17, 2011 | USC School of Cinematic Arts
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Panel 4: Infrastructure for Supporting Digital Media and Learning
Create our own infrastructure of resources, data across industries (entertainment &
education)
Break down the barriers (not just the physical barriers) that push & pull our respective
industries: COLLABORATE
What do we do now - what specific actions can we (Leadership Forum) take to move the
work forward? (Let's not wait until the next Forum!!)

4. May 16 and 17, 2011 | USC School of Cinematic Arts
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Panel 5: Targeted Public Engagement Campaigns
A Public awareness campaign is a must. One of the major efforts we can undertake to get us (the
whole country) “rowing in the same direction.” This topic warrants a longer, bigger session!
“The message” that addresses the literacy crises: Find a way to make 4h grade crisis into a national
health and safety issue. Deal with it the way we dealt with seatbelts, the H1N1 campaign,
designated driver campaign, etc.
Plan the campaign so that it has “multiple touches” e.g. use media, use print, use events, hand-
outs at movies, schools, libraries, web sites, news releases.
And one GIVEAWAY: Engage Hollywood (both film and TV) by asking for permission to use popular
characters in campaigns (e.g. Russell from Up, Wall-E, Tron, SpongeBob. Praise the owners of these
characters for doing well by doing good.

5. May 16 and 17, 2011 | USC School of Cinematic Arts
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Panel 6: Promoting “Educational” Standards
Need increased emphasis on early childhood and digital literacy early in life.
Need to raise the standards of what we consider to be learning and what we expect from
our media.
Need to move past traditional 3 Rs of learning/assessment: 4th R should be relationships
at home, school, within community.