What technologies for 2011?
Today’s minister is challenged to be skilled in today’s communications technologies! You can be a catechist, a Catholic School Religion Teacher, Principal, Director of Religious Education, Parish Catechetical Leader, RCIA Director, Youth Minister, Pastor, or any of the ministers that are important to today’s parish life. However, you live in the 21st Century! And 21st Century Skills are key to your being relevant today!
So did any of your New Year’s resolutions include learning new technology skills? If yes, great! If not, you may want to consider adding to your resolutions list!
Whiteboard Activity
Realistically, you may never use all of the technologies I will outline for you. However, you need to be knowledgeable in the following technologies and how the technology could be/might be used in your ministry:
- Blogging Knowledge
- Online Collaboration & Communication Tools
- Database Skills
- Google Earth Knowledge
- Google Tools Knowledge
- IM knowledge
- Interactive White Board skills (Eg., Mimeo, SmartBoard, Promethium, and others)
- Mobile and Handheld Computing
- Presentation Tools
- RSS feeds
- Social Bookmarking Knowledge
- Social Networking Knowledge
- Spreadsheets Skills
- Video and Podcasting – especially Digital Storytelling
- Virtual Worlds
- Web Resources in content area
- Web Searching skills
- Web2.0 Tools
- Website design and management skills
- Wiki Knowledge
Over the next twenty plus weeks, I will outline for you resources, suggestions, and more for you about each of the technologies. Remember that “blogging” is about entering into a conversation. I invite you as readers of this blog, to enter into the sharing of the resources and thoughts and ideas you may have about any of these areas. In this audience, there are already “pioneers” who are integrating many of these technologies into their ministries. I invite you to share your story, your links so that others may learn from you.
You may also want to quickly assess, where you are at in these skill areas. Go to – What Technologies Do I Need to Learn This 2011 Year survey. What is so good to see is that those who have already responded, there are some who are very comfortable with these skills, some moderately comfortable, and others who say “Thanks for putting this survey together—it’s nice to answer questions that show me how much I’d like to learn!” (Anonymous)
What Technologies?
I trust you will enjoy this series! Many of us may feel like Digital Immigrants. However, just as it is possible to learn a new language, it is possible to learn and be part of this evolving and growing Digital World.
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Remember, there are many ways to learn these new skills. The following are just a few:
- Ask your sons/daughters, nieces/nephews to mentor you.
- Invite your Youth Minister and the youth of the parish to create a parish mentor program for catechists and parish ministers who would like to learn more about technology.
- Follow blog articles and create a Personal Learning Network (PLN) of websites where you can learn more about technology.
- Attend conferences like INTERACTIVE CONNECTIONS, where you can gather with other ministry folks to learn more about technology in ministry
- Locate YouTube videos to learn how to use a new technology
- When you attend a Diocesan Resource Day or National Catechetical conference, choose ONE Technology workshop
- Any other suggestions? How do you learn new technology skills?
In this wonderful 2011 year, may your resolution to learn new technology skills, bring you closer to blending our wonderful message of hope and love in face-to-face sharing as well as enhancing what you do with digital communications!
Next Week – Blogging Knowledge
Photo Credit: Photography by Cerveny (c) 2010.
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