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The saying attributed to Albert Einstein – Curiosity is intelligence having fun – is something to keep in mind as I return to writing articles about technology in ministry. Why? I call all involved in ministry to be curious with me about technology and to have “fun” while being curious.
There are various ways we can approach technology, for example:
- FEAR: We can be so afraid of technology that we turn our back on it, ignore it, and not see it as valuable partner in our ministry world.
- TINKER: Those who enjoy taking things apart and putting them back together again, can take a computer, laptop, tablet, or phone apart to see if they can put it back together again. They enjoy the mechanics of handling the pieces and weaving them into a unit that works.
- NICE TO HAVE: Yes, we have the $$$$$$ for the tools. Let’s buy what we believe we will use. We listen to the techy folks who surely know how to use technology in ministry. I believe we need to ask – Well do they know how to use these tools in a learning environment?
- DIGITAL PEDAGOGY: We are now living in a “paradigm shift” where learning is changing with the introduction of technology into the learning cycle. As an educator, I was shaped and formed by a system that today is tending towards being out-of-fashion! We are leaning towards a digital culture that is changing how we teach, how we communicate, and how we work together.
Jesse Stommel is an Assistant Professor of Digital Humanities at University of Wisconsin-Madison. He offers four characteristics of Critical Digital Pedagogy. Put another way, these are four things we might notice if digital teaching and learning is doing what it’s supposed to do.
Characteristics of Critical Digital Pedagogy
- It centers its practice on community and collaboration
- Must remain open to diverse, international voices, and thus requires invention to reimagine the ways that communication and collaboration happen across cultural and political boundaries
- Will not, cannot, be defined by a single voice but must gather a cacophony of voices
- Must have use and application outside traditional institutions of education
I encourage you to explore Strommel’s PowerPoint where he describes Digital Pedagogy.
Now what does this mean for faith formation? We will go on to discover through our curiosity. I trust that the articles that are already here and the articles to come, will continue to add to the conversation. I invite all of my readers to join me in this ongoing conversation. I invite you to return for the new articles or to simply search for articles that may interest you here at ACyberPilgrim. Blessings!
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
