How do you use technology in your Religious Education Program?

Thanks,
William

Hi, William.
I am not sure what form of technology you mean....all catechists use music and we show DVD's that enhance the lessons sometimes. But I think you mean powerpoint, film clips, youtube, Internet resources, etc. I am fortunate that on our team I have young adults who are very technologically savvy. They lead our programs for Grades 5-12. When appropriate and the lesson/retreat/workshop would be enhanced, they use technology. When they began the technology seemed to run the program, but now they have developed skills to assess what would get the message across best. Often it is very low tech. Watching them I notice that they might use a youtube clip to get the group's attention and then they move into the Word and conversation.
Blessings.
Michele

William,

Our catechists use music and films/DVDs as review and reinforcement when they feel it will enhance the lesson.

Most of my catechists are not yet tech savvy enough to use the Web during class time (though, nor are our facilities really equipt to do so). I do know that our youth ministry team uses multimedia resources during their events. A resource that our youth minister really likes is "Outta Da Box."

Administratively, our program calendar and registration forms are available for download on the Web. We also have an RE link off our parish home page.

I'm also trying to move from a hard copy newsletter to doing an e-newsletter for our RE families. (I've already started doing this for my weekly update with catechsits. It seems to work for them).

Hope this helps,
James

We have a low-tech class experience; but I do use a lot of props, e.g.

A plastic fetus comes in handy all the time.

My jacket for portraying Elijah cloaking Elisha (1Kings 19), and for parting the Jordan (2Kings 2).

A dishrag for portraying Acts 19:11, and to discuss relics & sacraments.

A stick for portraying Moses striking the Rock, and to explain canonization and sacraments.

A rubber ball for explaining free will.

Balloons to discuss body and soul.

A chicken bone to portray how Elisha's bones brought a dead man back to life (2Kings 13:20), and to discuss relics & sacraments.

A small American flag to explain respect for symbols and names (2nd & 3rd Commandments).

A picture of my wedding day is frequently useful (wedding feast, marriage, Bride of the Lamb, celibacy, etc.)

A picture of my wife as an adult, and one as a child.

A statue of Mary to discuss idol worship.

I draw lots & lots of pictures on the whiteboard.

I think technology can be useful, it just hasn't come up in my class. We have a smartboard for example, but I am thus far content to leave it alone.