Web 2.0 Tools

 I basically work with adults through my church, where I disciple new church members in their new life in Christ. I spend a lot of time getting to know them and helping them get to know me. Introductions to other members is also part of what I do to help the disciple get acquainted with other members of the congregation. I want other members to encourage and get to know new members. There are sixteen lessons in the first level of discipleship, which include discussions on topics such as, salvation, personal issues, and family and friends.

I don’t know how much technology I could or want to integrate into this portion of what I do any more than by telephone which is often a great way to stay in contact with my disciple. In this first level, human contact is most important at this stage. There are two other levels in of discipleship where more technology is used, but I wouldn’t say that it brings about better outcomes. In the first level because a lot of personal contact results can be measured.

We live in a troubled world, and people are dealing with problems such as anger, and pain. They need someone to talk to—I’m that person. They also want to know that what has been said will be kept confidential. Scripture is used as points of reference, and the disciple is asked to remember as many as possible as a foundation support. In this beginning stage of the journey, it is important to know scripture. In this beginning stage the importance of scripture has not resonated with the disciple, and therefore may seem redundant. Lessons and learning scripture can become a little boring and then the focus becomes more in completing the course rather than understanding how it applies to a life.

 In the past to help with the memorization of scripture I have used 3x5 cards with verses on them so that disciple could take the cards with him/her and study at different times of the day. The cards can easily fit into a purse or packet where they can be accessed easily. Since the discipleship is about helping the new Christian to adjust to his or her new life in Christ the RAT (replace, amplify, transform) model could work for the organization.

As I was reading through the assignment and looking at the Web 2.0 tools I was amazed. If I were to use the RAT model, the cell phone which everyone has almost that would be a good way to replace the 3x5 cards (R), replace). Most of the people I work with have cell phones and have Bible apps on their phones. On Sunday’s I see cell phones out looking at Bible scripture. If that cell phone is used to read the scripture daily. Once they have a better understanding of scripture that will start to add more meaning and that can (A, amplify). The amplification enables them to move on to disciple others. As the disciple completes each lesson in the first level of discipleship and the following two levels can (T, transform). Part of the transformation is becoming active in ministries and continue to disciple others.

Generations

Our video starts out with difference between me, my parents, and my grandparents, and their differences. There are some differences—but also some similarities. Many of these similarities are called traditions. Grandparents usually train their children to be honest, have good moral character, be well educated, and overall good citizens. My parents wanted the same for me, just as your parents wanted that for you. If you are a parent, you probably want to pass those and other characteristics on to your children. How do you pass those good traits on to our children? Brothers and sisters born a year to eighteen months apart can be so different.

Methods tried on one child, may not work on your other child. There are many variables to consider before making generalized or stereo-typed conclusions. Peer pressure is a very real variable, friends may use a jargon very different from what another family may be used to hearing, and families need to be careful not to be hypocritical or judgmental about diversity. When it comes to slackers there are some in every generations. It also depends on what your definition slacker. I don’t teach school, but I deal with children and young people in my church and they have a lot to deal with.

 Teaching a Sunday school class a few years ago, there was a wide range of students in grades 2^nd through 5^th, at times it was difficult to hold the attention of some of the 2^nd graders, and on the hand, keep from boring the 5^th graders. Once we found a project that kept the attention of the 2^nd graders and didn’t bore our 5^th graders it made the job much easier. Age differences and the maturity of the students play a vital part in teaching. Getting to know the students and listing to them as they entered the classroom as to some of their hobbies, and not looking at generational differences to really any great extent helped us choose a different strategy.  I would rather make decisions based on the content of their character and that takes getting to know them.

Solomon once said, “There is nothing new under the sun.” If what one of the articles states is true that more recent homeland generation is starting to returning to extremely protective parenting, traditions, academic achievement, and a renewed focus on social development. It looks like the generations have took a full turn and coming back to those basics of what a lot of many parents. They are smarter I have had students who could not or would remember to bring their Bibles to class, but with the smart-phone the Bible could be downloaded and they can’t leave home without it.

Another tool we want for our children and students is for them to become independent learners and thinkers. We don’t want them to brain washed by falsehoods. As teacher’s we should not be fooled either. Don’t look at little Johnny and say, “that sound like little Johnny.” We don’t know what other variables are happening to little Johnny.

A friend of mine is a teacher, one of the objectives she has for her students is to become independent learners, where they will investigate thoroughly articles like the “Prensky” so they become categorized or stereo-typed, nor deceived. But think more in terms of what Professor Thomas C. Reeve’s article, Do Generational Differences Matter in Instructional Design? Values, habits, and motivators are important and birth year is only one factor for laboring generations and that research shows that history does more to shape individuals.  

Hello, everyone, happy new year. My name is Sandra Schofield, I have a bachelor degree in Liberal Arts, and Masters in Education. I'm working on an online certificate. I also work in the computer lab in the College of Education. I am not school teacher in any school district, but I do mentor adults, in an attempt to help them make life style changes. It is my hope that this class will help the organization I work with use technology more effectively. I also want to learn about all the different tools available.

I like to sing and there is nothing more inspirational than a good music, and powerful songs. My favorite songs is "Hero" by Mariah Carey.  You hardly hear it now. It's has some powerful words. I also like reading and sewing. In my lifetime I have seen sewing machines come a long way through technology. I really like is a good mystery. Sherlock Holmes is my favorite detective of all times and I have seen that character take on many forms over the years. My favorite TV detective is Colombo. A smart detective that does not appear to be a very smart and seems to read people very well.

Best of all I love being with my grandchildren. My two older sons children are all grown, and my youngest son lives in N Dakota and I don't get to see the often. But my daughter got married about four years ago and she has two boys about 18 months apart and I get to see them all the time and they are the joy of my life. Grandparents sometimes forget how busy two and three year old boys or girls can be.As a grandparent it is nice to watch them and see the differences and how much they both are alike too. Neither of  my grandsons attend school yet. I hope that this class will give me some ideas that may help my grand-boys become independent learners.