Harry Potter Fandom

[Page 337]The Harry Potter fandom is a community of fans of the Harry Potter books and movies. The community consists of children, teens, and adults from around the world who participate in online and offline activities to explore, extend, and celebrate the series. The fandom has existed since 1999 and supports a diversity of activities, from shared reading and viewing, to cosplay (dressing up as a character from the series), to media production. Many fandom activities are excellent examples of out-of-school learning. Some, like writing fan fiction or articles for websites, help fans develop literacy skills. Other activities support 21st-century skills, such as critical thinking and collaboration. Producing and sharing digital media are also important parts of participating in the fandom. Whether by producing podcasts, ...