As I was reading Isaac Pineda’s blog post “3 New Year’s resolutions educators should consider,” I thought – What New Year resolutions do we need to inspire our catechists in this wonderful 2014?
I invite you to share this post with your catechists, as we are in a year where the Digital Culture will continue to surround our ministry. We need to become Digital and Connected Disciples!
Become a connected catechist.
I love what Isaac says – “Becoming a connected educator (catechist) is one of the widest decisions that will have an impact on you, the kids you teach and everyone around you. But, what does it mean? It’s simply harnessing the power of technology to leverage your instructions. It’s incorporating technology in your teaching practice to boost student engagement and motivation. It’s a commitment to become a lifelong learner.”
How can we do this? Someone in the parish needs to lead others to become “connected catechists”. It may be your DRE, or there may be a tech savvy catechist who collaborates with the parish DRE and mentors others in the parish to improve their technology skills. One of the best training programs is Digital Discipleship Boot Camp. Read 21 Inspiring Messages and hear from those who have completed this training.
This program is now completely ONLINE and can be completed from the comfort of your home or office. The Winter Session begins on February 4, 2014 and the Summer Session begins on June 10. Check out the schedule and register here. Of course, if you would like a trainer to come to your location, we can work with you in a blended format where Modules One and Two are presented at a location of your choice and the other modules are presented online.
Once you are a connected catechist, then you become the pioneer, adapting what you have learned to enhance what you do in your classroom. Come and visit the following websites:
- Catechesis 2.0 – Several bloggers share tools that can be easily used for Digital Storytellling and more.
- ACyberPilgrim - a conversation about Digital Discipleship
- Digital Catechesis - A worldwide community for advancing the effective use of technology in all areas of faith formation. There is a wonderful video library here that members of this online group have shared and used in their ministries.
I invite you to come back to any of the three blogs to share your story of becoming a connected catechist. We need to inspire one another on this new journey! In this New Year, do resolve to learn all that you are able so that you can truly inspire your students to become Digital Disciples in this ever evolving Digital World!
Happy New Year!
