Health & Wellbeing in Integrated Learning Communities

I’m in the midst of preparing a presentation for next week to NHS Highland’s Public Health Department (hence the lovely title pic of the Cairngorms) The title of my presentation is ‘Being Safe on the Internet and Responsible Use’, just a flamboyant working title, thanks to Ollie Bray. To be honest, I see it as an avenue to introduce a whole plethora of web 2.0 innovations, and how young people are finding ways to receive affirmations from their own audiences or create a sense of belonging, build self-esteem, self-efficacy and of course, my own little journey.

People want examples of course, so, how can I not mention Emily Fox and the interpretationist work of Robbie Dingo? Such examples exemplify how young people perform, to their utmost, using emerging technologies, to their own audiences and in doing so have found their own outlet to be expressive. I can’t comment on Robbie’s (AKA Second Life name) talents as a ’sketch book’ drawer so to speak, but if this is his creative outlet, then new technologies have enriched his artistic talents beyond belief. And..who are we to deny that this form of artistry is not valid, encouraged or recognised in our curriculum?

If you have a look at these two outstanding examples of creative expression here on YouTube, then you will also see the outpouring of constructive and positive comments from fellow young people.  The whole validation, or ‘positive strokes’ we would call in a ‘Transactional Analysis’ world are just too strong to ignore here, young people have found an outlet to perform to ‘their own audience’ that’s meaningful. As Ewan McIntosh has stated many many times, in Emily’s video the casing point in clip is the reaction of ‘mum’ in the background with arms folded. Thanks to Ewan to pointing these 2 clips out.

Enjoy both Robbie’s and Emily’s videos, striking, thought provoking and poignant..

Robbie’s outstanding interpretation of a Van Gogh masterpeice using SecondLife, (turn up your speakers for the soundtrack by Don McLean)

And the wonderful, (NOT speeded up Emily Fox, now standing at 1,000,000 views)

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