Mapping the human screenome: Our vast digital lives

How does the average person interact with their cell phone? And what does this say about the way we process information?

On this episode of School’s In, we welcome Stanford Professor Nilam Ram to discuss his research into the digital lives -- specifically, cell phone use -- of teenagers and adults, and how these findings might be used to support awareness and positive change in a person's life. Ram covers several topics, including:

• (03:17)  What is the Human Screenome Project?
• (08:33)  Digital switching and the human brain
• (16:50)  Generational differences: The cell phone as behavioral mirror
• (19:33)  Cell phones and mental health
• (23:16)  Positive interventions, optimization, and ethics

Nilam Ram is a professor of psychology and communications at Stanford University, where his research focuses on how short-term changes, including processes like learning and information processing, develop across the lifespan, and how longitudinal studies help generate new knowledge.To learn more about his work, visit his faculty profile.

School’s In is your go-to podcast for cutting-edge insights and fresh perspectives on the future of learning. Hosted by Stanford Graduate School of Education Dean Dan Schwartz and Senior Lecturer Denise Pope, each episode dives into the latest research, innovations, and real-world challenges shaping education today.

Stanford GSE is at the forefront of education research and teacher preparation, dedicated to advancing equitable, accessible, and impactful learning experiences for all.

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