Rewiring Ministry for the Digital Learner

Henry Zonio

http://www.elementalcm.com

For Breakout Session A, I attended Matt Guevara's workshop entitled "Rewiring Ministry for the Digital Learner." In addition to being one of the guest bloggers for the Conspire 2009 blog, Matt has served on the KidsWorld staff at Christ Community Church in St. Charles, Illinois since 2007 both as the Creative Arts Director and Grade School Group Life Director. Matt is also the lead contributor to the Cory Center Kid Tech Blog at http://corycenter.org.

Matt began the workshop session by telling a story of his calling to ministry. When he went to Bible College and looked at the course requirements for children's ministry, he was struck that there were two whole classes dedicated solely to puppetry; he realized there was a disconnect in what was being taught for those studying children's ministry and where kids were. He then shared about how he started to experiment with using different forms of media to engage kids. This included having kids take pictures and put together digital comics of Bible stories, having kids do videos, and even having kids figure out ways to help teach the lessons.

Matt shared seven characteristics of digital learners:

1. They are no longer littler versions of us

2. They are digital natives... not digital immigrants (these are terms coined by Marc Prensky at marcprensky.com)

3. They are collaborators. They want to be involved in shaping the teaching environment and how things are taught. We need to kids "be a part of the action."

4. They are teachers. Matt shared a story of how grade 7 and 8 kids taught him how to do all the lighting and sound tech at his current church when he started.

5. They are connected. We need to realize that kids have a multitude of ways to connect digitally.

6. They are relational. One thing we have to remember with this is that there is no distinction with kids between online and offline relationships; they are all the same to them.

7. They are open. Kids are open to learning new things and open to hearing from lots of different sources. This also means they are open to spiritual things.

Matt, then, went on to share some areas he believes need to be rewired or "in need of digital renewal:"

1. Curriculum

We need curriculum to speak to kids right now where they are and to the issues they are facing today. Curriculum needs to engage children at a level that calls them to action. We can give them all the information in the world and miss connecting with them. Sometimes that means "teaching less" in order to give kids real life applications to what they are learning.

2. Media Paradigm

We need to stop fighting about what is and what isn't right about using media. We need to "test drive" different media, see how it works, and use what works.

3. Relationships

We need to build relationships with kids and families that extend beyond the 1-2 hours in the church building.

Matt concluded the session with some strategies for large group areas, small group areas and interactions with families.

Large Group Strategies

1. Learn from video games

Video games provide immersive environments where you take part in the action. Also, the story unfolds as you play so there are elements of surprise. We need to incorporate some of that into large group teaching.

2. Use new resources

There are LOTS of resources out there, and we need to take advantage of them. Some of the resources mentioned were The Lads (music group), KidzMatter.com, Digital Juice (animated backgrounds), Pint Size Parables (online video), and Worship House (online).

Small Group Strategies

1. Prayer

At Matt's church, the win for small groups is if they can spend at least 3 minutes in prayer each week. Kids need to be encouraged to pray with and for each other. Prayer is creative and it promotes community strenght.

2. Relationships

We need to build real relationships that last outside the walls of the church.

3. Variation

Vary the activities of the small group. Vary the environment.

Home Strategies

1. Web Presence

Create a web presence where parents can go to to receive resources and encouragement.

2. Real Resources

No one has this one figured out. Find what works for the families at your church and use it. Also keep tweaking to find the right mix between the resources and the vehicle in which the resources are delivered.

3. Create Social Networks

Take advantage of social networking like Ning.com, Facebook, MySpace, Yahoo Groups, etc. so that parents can network with each other on their time and outside of the church walls.

As you think through the implications of Digital Learners or the Net Generation, here are some questions to interact with:

 

• What are you doing to make sure you understand Digital Learners?
• Are you overwhelmed with all the media and technology that is out there? What do you do with that?
• Do you agree with what Matt notes are things that need to be changed in how we interact with digital learners? Why or why not?
• What are you doing in your ministries to more effectively meet digital learners where they are?
• What is working for you? What have you tried that doesn't work for you?

 If you seem to be doing OK in keeping up with digital learners and trends in how to reach them, what resources would you point people to who are at the beginning stages of trying to understand the Net Generation?

 

 

Comments

[Poker Card Game]

Interesting information, I'm agree with your ideas, thanks for sharing.

[Canadian Generic Meds]

I am pleased to say it is interesting that this blog has a great variety of viewpoints to better understand the situation and that is what most caught my attention and has a great variety of comments thanks

[Collectors Stamps]

Interesting strategies to educateour children.

[Viagra Online]

Rewiring is the better option to solve that problem.

[penis enlargement]

More & more people know that blog are good for every one where we get lots of information any topics !!! Discover the best male enhancement pills and products for men's health at www.male-sexual-styles.com

[Lynette Snyder]

I learned a lot and realized how much more I need to learn so that I can effectively impact the next generation for Christ.

[Jeff Hall]

This was a great session. The biggest thing that I got out of it is that our kids are relational and collaborative... I used to see them all the time online or texting and think, "they don't know how to relate to the real world", but I was wrong... Media IS HOW they communicate with the real world. They are more connected than I am becuase they use media effectively. Thanks Matt. Keep up the good work.