Pause for a moment to think about all of the ways you have done technology-related education in the past year. Make yourself a list, if you wish (in fact, I'd recommend it.) When churches do any education about technology at all, they often do so without any thought to a larger plan. Yet there are many aspects of technology that are relevant to Christian education ministries. Here's a simple way to think about technology and education, so simple you can write it on a whiteboard at an education committee meeting and everyone will instantly get it:
Education [preposition] Technology
This simple phrase can become a starting point for evaluating your own church's ministries and the ways in which you might move forward. Here are six examples of prepositions that ought to receive consideration.
Education with Technology: This may be the simplest place to begin, because you already likely have a good amount of experience with some classroom technologies. You already utilize tools like DVDs, PowerPoint presentations, digital music, email, and many others in your small groups, classes, and other educational efforts. Now, ask yourself: what's the next step? What technology have I been unwilling to try? Where have we been more and less effective in my use of technology, and what can we do differently in the future?
Education for Technology: This preposition may be the one to especially focus on in a congregation that is reluctant to fully utilize technology in its ministries. Here, your efforts could be directed to help congregants understand the differences between various types of learners (e.g. visual, aural, kinesthetic), as well as the ways younger generations immerse themselves in a digital culture. You might advocate for technology to be a larger part of your education budget, or you may engage in dialogue about the importance of visual metaphors and video-based storytelling in worship.
Education on Technology: There are many people in your community who have few computer skills. By providing free computer for people in your community to use along with workshops on skills such as, "How to find things on the Internet," "How to use Craigslist," or "How to use the web to search for jobs," you'll be providing a valuable service to and caring for those who are "information poor" in your community. Additionally, there are plenty of other people in your congregation who would love to get some training in other computer skills, such as working with digital photos, Word and Excel, using eBay, or how to set up a blog.
Education about Technology: Wikipedia defines media literacy as, "...Media literacy is the process of analyzing, evaluating and creating messages in a wide variety of media modes, genres and forms. It uses an inquiry-based instructional model that encourages people to ask questions about what they watch, hear, and read." In Christian education settings, media literacy efforts add another dimension: the role faith plays in our decision-making and use of technology. Youth ministry settings are one place where discussions often take place regarding such aspects as values, morality, language, and "-isms" in media and pop culture, but they should not be the only place such conversations occur.
Education through Technology: The simplicity of tools like email newsletters, Twitter, and blogs can be an effective way to spread one's message. Articles can be shared about social justice-related topics, which can in turn lead to campaigns to lobby government leaders. Bible studies can be carried out via email, forum postings, Skype, and social networking sites. The goal is to think of technology as the conduit to greater understanding and personal engagement.
Education against Technology: Not everything in life requires a technological solution, of course, and technology has environmental costs that really should be weighed carefully. In faith settings, individuals can experience community outside Facebook. They can nurture a life of simplicity, enjoy natural settings, survive (and actually, thrive) for an hour without cell phones, and learn to be fully present with one another. Christian educators can advocate for greater use of recycling, offer opportunities for family fun that don't require big screens, and introduce people to tried-and-true spiritual disciplines that promote spiritual development.
OK, now it's your turn. Make yourself a chart, and brainstorm some ways to grow in each of these areas, ministries you might start or enhance, or things you'd like to learn more about. Post a comment and share with others which of these six prepositions you are drawn to, and why. Or, look through this list of English prepositions and consider how they complete the phrase in a way you hadn't previously considered.
~ by Tim Gossett