Unlocking Education: Exploring The Learning Network by The New York Times
The Learning Network, a valuable resource from The New York Times, offers a wide array of materials designed to engage students and educators alike. By providing access to current events, multimedia content, and interactive activities, The Learning Network fosters critical thinking, creativity, and a deeper understanding of the world.
Interactive Learning Tools
Picture Prompts
The Learning Network utilizes intriguing images stripped of their captions to stimulate visual thinking and close reading skills. For example, the "What’s Going On in This Picture?" series invites students to analyze images and engage in moderated conversations about their observations. Recent prompts have included images credited to Jason Gulley and Tonje Thilesen, encouraging students to look closely and share their interpretations. These prompts encourage students to develop observational skills and articulate their ideas effectively.
Examples of Picture Prompts include:
- Riding the Bus: Students are prompted to tell a story, real or made up, that is inspired by the image.
- Hamster Wheel: Students are asked what they think the image is communicating.
- Baby Monkey: Students are asked if they are a fan of Punch, an abandoned baby monkey at a Japanese zoo who has become a social media star.
- Snowman: Students are asked how they get through winter.
Word of the Day
The "Word of the Day" feature introduces students to new vocabulary words that have appeared in The New York Times. Students are then challenged to use the word in a sentence. Recent words have included "interpolate" and "benevolent," encouraging students to expand their vocabulary and improve their writing skills. Another word example is "virtuosity".
Student Opinion Questions
The Learning Network encourages students to share their perspectives on a variety of topics. For instance, students were asked, "Are You a Picky Eater?" in response to a guest essay arguing that American children used to be more curious and adventurous eaters. Another question asked, "Where Do You Go to Get Away From It All?" prompting reflection on personal retreats and solitude, referencing Henry David Thoreau's "Walden." These prompts foster critical thinking and self-expression. Another example is, "What Cultural or Family Traditions Are Important to You?" in relation to Asian cultures celebrating the Lunar New Year.
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Contests and Challenges
Student Contests
The Learning Network hosts a variety of contests throughout the year, inviting teenagers to engage, experiment, reflect, and create. These contests cover a range of media, including writing, photography, audio, and video. The 2025-26 Student Contest Calendar features eight challenges designed to spark creativity and critical thinking.
Multimedia Challenge: Growing Up With A.I.
One notable contest was the multimedia challenge, "What It’s Like to Grow Up With A.I.," where 35 students from across the globe reflected on the impact of artificial intelligence on teenagers through essays, poems, videos, artwork, and graphics.
Adapting to a New World: Teachers on How A.I. Is Reshaping the Classroom
Another contest focused on educators, asking high school teachers to share their experiences teaching in an era of rapidly advancing artificial intelligence. They responded with images, essays, and videos.
Open Letters: Our Opinion-Writing Contest
The Learning Network also invites students to participate in the "Open Letters: Our Opinion-Writing Contest," encouraging them to write public-facing letters to people or groups about issues that matter to them.
Resources for Educators
Lesson Plans
The Learning Network offers a wealth of lesson plans across various subjects, including social studies, science & math, E.L.L. & arts, and current events. These resources provide educators with ready-to-use materials to enhance their teaching and engage students in meaningful learning experiences.
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How to Teach With ‘What’s Going On in This Picture?’
The Learning Network provides guidance for educators on how to effectively use the "What’s Going On in This Picture?" activity to help students practice visual thinking and close reading skills.
Free Resources for Teaching and Learning
The Learning Network offers a variety of free resources, including lesson plans, writing prompts, quizzes and vocabulary exercises, and photos, graphs, and videos.
New York Times Licensing for Education
New York Times Licensing provides educational content products to help learners develop important skills. This includes classroom exercises, curriculum development, print publications and supplements, digital products and platforms, and language learning resources. The content can be adapted for various use cases, offering flexibility for educators.
The New York Times Licensing aims to inspire students with fresh and worldly content that can be adapted for all use cases. Additionally, if you are an educator teaching students English, our wide breadth of content can help them develop the reading and comprehension skills they need.
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