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LATOYE ADAMS

LaToye is a media researcher and learning consultant. She drives a youth-centered design process by integrating formative research throughout the production lifecycle for television content and educational technology.  LaToye has worked on teams at Nickelodeon, Michael Cohen Group, LLC (MCG), and with global edtech developers.  She has conducted user experience research on learning management, virtual reality educational content and creativity tools, and 3D modeling software. At MCG, LaToye served as Director of Research for Nickelodeon's Bubble Guppies. She also ushered new production teams at YouTube Originals Kids & Learning through the content research process. Before joining MCG, LaToye was a researcher at Nickelodeon, contributing to the production and formative testing of award-winning series, including The Backyardigans and Team Umizoomi. LaToye has had the great joy of exploring the classroom and the playground as a Teachers Aide at Margaret's House Childcare Center.

 

Affiliations

EDUCATION

Teachers College, Columbia University

MA, Developmental Psychology

Rochester Institute of Technology

BFA, Film & Animation

INDUSTRY

Children's Media Association

National President, 2016-2018

Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning & Children’s Media

Early Career Fellow, 2010-2012

 

Presentations

Peebles, A., Adams. L, Robb, M., & López, R. (2021, April). Meaningful Digital Connectivity During Distance Learning: Equity, Parental Experiences, and Common Sense’s Texting-Based Intervention. Poster Presented at the AERA 2021 Virtual Annual Meeting.

O'Shea, G., Adams, L., Potter, K., Nasso, F., Chu, A., De Feo, M., Silliman, R., & Marcial, C. (2015). “Do Cheerios have whole grains?": Results from a pilot evaluation of the Discover MyPlate curriculum. Poster presented at the 2015 Association for Psychological Science Conference, New York, NY.

Cohen, M., Adams, L., O'Shea, G. & Mariutto, G. (2014). Is a touchscreen a toy? Presentation. Digital Kids Conference, New York, NY.

Hadley, M., O'Shea, G., Adams, L., Mariutto, G., & Cohen, M. (2012). iPad Use and Learning: Patterns Observed in Three Age Groups.  Paper Presentation. Early Education and Technology for Children Conference, Salt Lake City, UT.

 

Speaking

Approach

As a speaker and moderator, LaToye fosters enriching and joyful discussions for industry conferences, television writing programs, festivals, academic courses, and the general public. Her goal is to inspire professionals, students, and grown-ups in the community to understand best practices, make new connections, and do their best work for and with children and families. As a moderator, she focuses on helping panelists feel heard, confident, and abundantly prepared. In addition, participants and audiences are free, respected, challenged, and inspired to act. LaToye is passionate about leading conversations on child development, youth-centered research practices, culturally affirming content development, educational programming, product development, research methods, and research operations.

Events

  • GBH Kids Scriptwriting Fellowship for Work It Out Wombats!

    • Guest Speaker | GBH | 2022| Virtual

  • CAYL Institute’s “Young Children & Tech: Forces at Play” Panel

    • Panelist | 2021 | Virtual | Recording

    • Community Advocates for Young Learners (CAYL)

  • Fordham University’s “Children & The Media” Course

    • Guest Speaker & Reviewer | 2019-2020 | New York, NY

  • Sesame Workshop Writers’ Room

    • Guest Speaker | 2017-2020 | New York, NY

  • Prix Jeunesse International Festival

    • Moderator | 2018| Munich, Germany

  • UX + Data MeetUp, “UX Research With Kids” Presentation

    • Co-Presenter | 2018 |New York, NY | Recording

Feedback

 
Testimonials

“LaToye Adams is an exceptional scholar-practitioner. She is remarkably adept at offering assistance that helps guide projects. Her feedback is clear and direct. She is professional and personable. LaToye's spoken and written communication skills are among her strongest assets.”

- Lewis Freeman, Senior Lecturer, Department of Communication & Media Studies, Fordham University

“When Sesame Workshop began its first diversity initiative for new writers, we immediately sought out LaToye Adams as a guest speaker, given her expert knowledge and instruction. Since 2017, LaToye has met with our new crop of writers every year, and she is consistently so generous with her time and attention to their work. She's gone on to be both a mentor and colleague to many of our writers, helping make their dreams come true! Her incredible combination of both expertise and generosity make her an ideal partner for any project.”

- Sofy Solomon, Program Director, Sesame Workshop Writers' Room