Jessica Millstone is the Director of Engagement and UX Researcher at BrainPOP, helping build and learn more about teacher, student and family interaction with BrainPOP’s beloved animated movies and interactive tools. Building audience engagement and nurturing new markets for high-quality educational products are her passion. Previously Jessica was the inaugural Education Fellow at the Joan Ganz Cooney Center, a research + innovation lab at Sesame Workshop dedicated to bringing educators, parents and kids closer together through their shared use of digital learning games, tools and toys. Inspired by her work in educational technology (and raising two young children in New York City), Jessica has created a popular talk for parents about the role of technology and social media in our children’s lives which she delivers to audiences across the country. She holds advanced master’s degrees from New York University’s Interactive Telecommunication Program and Bank Street College of Education, where she was an adjunct professor of instructional technology for 5 years, and is the co-organizer of the 8300+ member NYEdTech Meetup.
Qualifications
With nearly 25 years of professional experience in the world of education and tech product research, Jessica has unique insight into how people use (and want to use) technology to play and learn. Her combined role as both an observer and creator in the development of interactive media has resulted in a body of research and product development that is accessible to all, all with a positive, inclusive message about how to use technology together with children. Jessica has been a featured speaker at conferences such as SXSW EDU, FETC, ISTE, New Schools Venture Summit, Screentime Social, and HackEducation, and has shared her research and expertise with the faculty and parents at schools and universities across the country. She constantly iterates and innovates on her presentation style to make the experience a fun, engaging learning experience for the whole audience.
