Publications
Rethinking Digital Citizenship: Learning About Media, Literacy, and Race in Turbulent Times
by Antero Godina Garcia, Sarah McGrew, Nicole Mirra, Brendesha Tynes, and Joseph Kahne
The practice of politics is changing in the digital age. Indeed, whether one considers mainstream electoral politics or major social movements, the central role of social media and of the digital revolution more generally is clear.
Leading for Democracy: A Vital Agenda for Public School Principals
by John Rogers & Joseph Kahne
In recent decades, preparing students for college and the workplace has garnered more and more attention, often at the expense of civic preparation. Only about one in three high school principals in a national survey we conducted in 2018 cited “promoting informed participation in civic and community life” as one of their school’s top three goals.
Reclaiming the Democratic Purpose of California’s Public Schools
by John Rogers, Erica Hodgin, Joseph Kahne, Rebecca Cooper Geller, Alexander Kwako, Samia Alkam, and Cicely Bingener
It is time to reclaim the democratic purposes of public education in California.
Fulfilling the Democratic Aims of Education: A Systemic Approach for Generating Learning Opportunities for Students’ Informed Participation in Civic and Political Life
by Erica Hodgin, Joseph Kahne, and John Rogers
Democracy always has been a core purpose underlying public education. Preparing students to engage in our democracy is not a luxury to be attended to if time permits. It is fundamentally important.
The Digital Dimensions of Civic Education: Assessing the Effects of Learning Opportunities
by Benjamin Bowyer and Joseph Kahne
This study examines the effects of online and offline civic learning opportunities on offline civic engagement and online political activity. It draws on panel data for high school students in Chicago Public Schools (N = 10,254).
Motivated Circulation: How Misinformation and Ideological Alignment Influence the Circulation of Political Content
by Benjamin Boyer and Joseph Kahne
This article investigates the factors that shape the circulation of political content on social media. We analyze an experiment embedded within a nationally representative survey of U.S. youth that randomly assigned participants to see a short post designed to resemble content that circulates through social media.
Participatory Politics and the Civic Dimensions of Media Literacy
by Erica Hodgin
While the civic dimensions of media literacy have always existed, expanded opportunities for civic media literacy education are needed for youth to successfully navigate civic and political participation in the digital age.
Can media literacy education increase digital engagement in politics?
by Joseph Kahne & Benjamin Bowyer
To argue that digital media are now central to civic and political life for young people in the United States is, in many respects, to state the obvious.
Judging Credibility in Un-Credible Times: Three Educational Approaches for the Digital Age (in Unpacking Fake News)
by Erica Hodgin and Joseph Kahne
Since the 2016 presidential election, the term fake news has become part of the national discourse. Although some have appropriated the term for political purposes, actual fake news represents an inherent threat to American democracy given the ease through which it is consumed and shared via social media.
Let's Go There: Making a Case for Race, Ethnicity and a Lived Civics Approach to Civic Education
by Cathy Cohen, Joseph Kahne, Jessica Marshall
We live in a time of heightened political and civic activity among young people, especially young people of color. The election of President Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012 inspired increased civic and political participation among young adults.
Misinformation in the Information Age: What Teachers Can Do to Support Students
by Erica Hodgin and Joseph Kahne
Rather than focusing on whether a statement is accurate, youth—like adults— often focus on whether a statement supports their prior beliefs.
The Political Significance of Online Activities and Social Networks
by Joseph Kahne and Benjamin Bowyer
In this study, we assess the potential significance of two broad categories of online activity: friendship-driven (FD) and interest-driven (ID) engagement (see Ito et al., 2009; Jenkins, 2009).
The Politics and Pedagogy of Economic Inequality
by Joel Westheimer, John Rogers, Joseph Kahne
An education that fosters the kind of citizen engagement that a well-functioning democracy requires includes not only minimal skills but also familiarity with democratic processes and institutions.
Facing Facts in an Era of Political Polarization: Young People's Learning and Knowledge about Economic Inequality
by Benjamin Bowyer and Joseph Kahne
Whereas the impact of media on informing the public about factual information on charged issues has been the subject of substantial study, the impact of educational efforts relative to these issues has received little attention.
Educating for Democracy in a Partisan Age: Confronting the Challenges of Motivated Reasoning and Misinformation
by Joseph Kahne and Benjamin Bowyer
Much misinformation and many falsehoods related to politics circulate online. This paper investigates how youth judge the accuracy of truth claims tied to controversial public issues.
Revisiting the Measurement of Political Participation for the Digital Age
by Benjamin T. Bowyer & Joseph Kahne
A book chapter in Civic Media, Technology, Design, Practice. Edited by Eric Gordon and Paul Mihailidis MIT Press.
U Suk! Participatory Media and Youth Experiences With Political Discourse
by Ellen Middaugh, Joseph Kahne and Ben Bowyer
In light of evidence that the Internet, participatory media, and online communities are increasingly central to civic and political life, this article investigates online political discourse as a context of youth civic development.
Educating Youth for Online Civic and Political Dialogue: A Conceptual Framework for the Digital Age
Erica Hodgin
With the rise of digital media and online communication, supporting youth to navigate online civic and political dialogue is increasingly critical.
Redesigning Civic Education for the Digital Age: Participatory Politics and the Pursuit of Democratic Engagement
by Joseph Kahne, Erica Hodgin & Elyse Eidman-Aadahl
The digital revolution has enabled important changes in political life. Opportunities to engage in participatory politics have expanded significantly.
Youth comprehension of political messages in YouTube videos
by Benjamin T. Bowyer, Joseph E. Kahne, and Ellen Middaugh
This article investigates the extent to which young people are able to comprehend the political messages contained in satirical videos that circulate online.