Be a confident online explorer on Internaut Day

I’m writing this blog on Internaut Day 2016, the 25th anniversary of Sir Tim Berners-Lee inventing the Internet. The work of the Digital Participation team chimes well with this anniversary. 'Internaut' blends the words Internet and astronaut in reference to a designer, operator or technically capable user of the Internet. Technically capable users and digital participation go hand-in-hand. We want everyone in Scotland to be able to safely and confidently go online for whatever makes sense in their everyday life. Our research and resources blog is just one way of helping.

Research

Thankfully, things a little thin on the ground this fortnight, so we have a chance to digest previous findings. That said, we do have the most recent insight from ONS into what the Internet is being used for, and the types of purchases being made by adults.

Reports

Slightly off piste (but only very slightly), here’s an interesting PDF report on focus groups with Girlguiding members, supported by Microsoft, exploring their attitudes to digital technology. Our friends at the Tinder Foundation have published the final evaluation report of their three year NHS widening Digital Participation project into how digital has helped improve the health and wellbeing of vulnerable people. Meanwhile, a recent doteveryone digizones blog talks about how they're encouraging neighbours to help each other to develop basic digital skills. And finally, some interesting insights in a PDF from Capgemini Consulting on elevating digital evolution or transformation to the top of the strategic agenda.

Tools, Guides and How To’s

Does your organization have a fundraising page, button or another method of online fundraising? If not, donate might be for you. Need to just double check whether your writing is as accessible as it could be? We’re loving the hemmingway app. Abilitynet helps organisations to design and maintain accessible websites, apps and other digital tools. They have a series of resources and factsheets for anyone working to make digital more accessible: https://www.abilitynet.org.uk/expert-resources/webinars https://www.abilitynet.org.uk/factsheets https://mcmw.abilitynet.org.uk/ Developed by the Digital Team at Breast Cancer Care, the Third Sector Digital Maturity Index has evolved to it’s own web tool. Through simple self-assessment this helps understand where organisations need to invest to reach digital excellence.