Maddie is Online freely available eBooks on digital literacy

Maddie is online’ https://maddiesonline.blogspot.com/ develops accessible cartoon animation education resources for schools and parents, focusing on the digital citizenship skills that young people (aged 9-13 year old) require to develop in order to navigate safely, effectively and ethically their online environments.

There are currently three available series in the form of freely available eBooks that can be viewed online or download in PDF format with active links to resources and videos:

Series 1 Online Resilience

Series 2: Misinformation

Series 3: Copyright

The educational resource has been developed with a focus on information, media and digital literacy as well as the concept of ‘digital citizenship’, highlighting the need to develop not only the technical skills required in today’s digital online environment, but also the ability to find, understand, use and share information and create media and communications in diverse online contexts, following responsible and ethical behaviour.

It aims to illustrate the dangers of online connectivity and to teach preteen children online information, digital and media literacy through animation, drawing young children’s attention to critical issues of online connectivity, but in a way that is fun and engaging, and linking to their own online experiences within everyday life. At the centre of the project is building resilient and healthy digital communities of young people, by means of opening up dialogue and conversation around the challenges and opportunities of the online world.

The cartoon series uses digital animation technology and character voice-overs to increase young people’s engagement and participation around challenging phenomena that deal with online connectivity. The project has been previously funded by the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIF funding 2020) and the Robert Gordon University Innovation Accelerator programme.