Other Interests: pursuing your passion

Internet, libraries and education

As I've mentioned elsewhere my teenage son and his friends are frequent users of MSN instant text messaging.

But rather than panic I'd like to think that they're just exploring.

So I've been comforted by these recent posts about teenagers exploring the internet and learning in their own way:

In Monitoring your children online? Gotham Gal says that you have to give the kids the information, then trust them rather than snoop on them:
My thoughts on this matter are no different than sex, drugs and rock and roll. Have an open dialog with your kids about what are the do's and don'ts of online behavior. Know who you are talking to. Do you recognize that IM address? What type of conversations are you having?  Don't decide to meet with someone you meet on line no matter what. The basic essentials.

In What a difference a decade makes and  DJ BrentBoy The Shifted Librarian compares how her son uses the internet today for VOIP compared with her efforts 10 years ago.

In The Read/Write Web Dog and Pony Show  Will Richardson talks about a parent computer education night, safety and blogging and IM.

Finally in another successful DDR night Walking Paper discusses a video gaming night (including a dance game) at the library and its results.

Journeys

My daughter graduated from high school yesterday.

We are of course very proud of her hard work over the years (and the results she has achieved) but also of the use she has made of her opportunities, the way she has responded to challenges and the things she has learned and choices she has made.

Her journey is just beginning.

Evelyn Rodriguez's post today on Journeys and Journals was therefore appropriate. Journeys involve both highs and lows. I liked the link to Julia Powell's Julie/Julia Project which describes her year long project which has now become a book. Evelyn's description of journeys is a more human, sympathetic and emotional version of Seth Godin's Local Max/Big Max theory.

My daughter's art work fills the house; it is a record of her progress, even during her dark days. Her photography and videos fills my computers. Her writing is constantly developing. She is a dedicated musician. She has it all ahead of her.

It has taken courage for her to get this far and I am sure she  has the courage and determination to reach her goals. And we will see it all, the ups and downs, reflected in her artistic expression.