Nichole Pinkard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nichole Pinkard
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Pinkard in 2014
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| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Stanford University Northwestern University |
| Occupation | Computer scientist |
| Known for | Founded the Digital Youth Network |
Nichole Pinkard is an American computer scientist. She is a professor at Northwestern University. She helps lead a special office there that works with communities. She also works with Apple and the Chicago Public Schools. Together, they teach computer programming to teachers.
Before this, Professor Pinkard was a professor at DePaul University. She also helped start the Digital Youth Network. This program helps young people learn digital skills. She is involved in many projects about learning with technology.
Professor Pinkard used to be the Director of Innovation for the University of Chicago's Urban Education Institute. She also worked as a chief technology officer there. In 2010, she won an award from Common Sense Media. This award was for her great work helping young people be creative.
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Nichole Pinkard's Education
Nichole Pinkard studied computer science. She earned her first degree from Stanford University. Then, she got two more degrees from Northwestern University. She has a master's degree in computer science. She also has a Ph.D. in Learning Sciences. This means she deeply understands how people learn.
Nichole Pinkard's Career
Professor Pinkard is an associate professor at Northwestern University. She works in the School of Education and Social Policy. She also directs the Office of Community Education Partnership. Before Northwestern, she taught at DePaul University.
Her work focuses on how social networks can help people learn. She studies how young people learn new media skills. She also looks at how different environments affect learning. Her goal is to create new ways for city youth to learn and grow.
Digital Youth Network
Professor Pinkard started the Digital Youth Network (DYN) in 2006. She began this project at the University of Chicago. DYN helps schools, teachers, and researchers. It teaches them the best ways to help young people. The program helps kids develop technical, creative, and thinking skills.
The DYN program starts with students in sixth to eighth grade. They take required media arts classes in school. They can also join optional after-school programs. This helps young people explore different types of media. It also helps them express themselves. After middle school, there is a high school program. This part helps students build their own strengths.
DYN has worked with many schools in Chicago. It has also partnered with other groups in the Chicago area. In 2010, DYN worked with LISC/Chicago. They created a program called Broadband Technology Opportunity Program (B-TOP). This program helped DYN reach new communities. These included Auburn-Gresham, Chicago Lawn, Englewood, Pilsen, and Humboldt Park.
The Digital Youth Network has received money from important groups. These include the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. It also received grants from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Other Cool Projects
Professor Pinkard also helped create YOUmedia. This is a special learning space for teenagers. It's often found in public libraries. Teens can use traditional media like books. They can also create new things like games, videos, and virtual worlds.
YOUmedia started as a partnership. It was between the Chicago Public Library and the MacArthur Foundation. Now, it has grown into a network of learning labs across the country. Teens at YOUmedia can find thousands of books. They can also use many tools to create digital media. This helps them build their digital skills.
In April 2010, Professor Pinkard co-founded RemixWorld. She started it with Robert Chang. RemixWorld is a company that grew from the Digital Youth Network's work. It is supported by the MacArthur Foundation. RemixWorld is an online learning network for students. It helps connect kids safely with school lessons. It also offers extra learning and mentorship chances.
Professor Pinkard has also worked with the Joan Ganz Cooney Center. This center studies and supports new digital media. Their goal is to help children learn better with technology.
