It takes a team of people to work with DDBC…you will meet these folks over the next few weeks. Each have a variety of roles.
4
Opening Prayer
Our objectives today is to talk about what is digital discipleship, discipleship and then we will look at specifics of what to expect from this course.
Capstone Projects shown on our website will show you what past participants have accomplished in DDBC.
These next few slides I am going to be going over with you come from Sherry Weddell’s book Forming Intentional Disciples. One of the things she talks about is the idea of forming an intentional disciple.
So a disciple is someone who learns and discipleship is sitting at the feet of the Master, taking on his yoke, or his world view.
DDBC is knowing how to use our faith to not only a good disciple but for us a good digital disciple.
We are beginning to understand that we are “learners” in this ever evolving Digital World.
This digital world has its own ebb and flow. We learn to apply the skills we learn to sharing the Gospel in Digital Ways.
As you look at these pictures, you can see in these pictures, Catholic tradition. Catholics who demonstrates discipleship exercises discipline in pursuing spiritual observance, such as prayer or fasting, as well as good works.
All aspects of the Chrisitan life are to be performed with a sense of purpose.
Discipleship is very much a part of who we are.
Jesus choose 12 disciples, and from there they shared the faith with others, teaching them, mentoring them so that they others could grow and hear the Good News and
this mission of the Church is still asked of us today.
The ways we communicate these teachings need to focus and reach people where they are at. For us in our time one of those ways is through the digital world.
So what does a disciple do. In the language of the catechism, a disciple is someone who prays, abides in the Word, we are a witness to Christ, we imitate Jesus, we profess and live our faith, we establish habits of a disciple of Christ, we are initiated and nourished by the Eucharist and we respond to Jesus invitation to enter His kingdom.
we profess and live our faith, we establish habits of a disciple of Christ, we are initiated and nourished by the Eucharist and we respond to Jesus invitation to enter His kingdom.
So how is discipleship transmitted? Discipleship is an active response on our part. It is not just for a few elite, not for just the priest and sisters, it is for all of us and it is a personal response to saying yes to Jesus.
Our challenge for us today is how do we blend discipleship in our Catholic faith and our experience as Catholics in our time. Really what we are trying to do with digital discipleship is to say, okay so we know what discipleship is in the Catholic faith and Catholic tradition and we cannot ignore the fact we live in a certain time and place.
Therefore, when we say intentional, it is not an accident. When Jesus called Peter and his brother, they dropped their nets and followed him. We can’t accidently become a disciple of Jesus as Sherry Weddle says in her book; you don’t do it in your sleep and we can’t be disciples in our sleep. I think this is really important to realize that if we are going to be digital disciples as well as disciples of Christ you have to be intentional in our discipleship.
In her book, Sherry goes on to talk about Intentional discipleship. It is characterized by a drop of the net decision. You make the decision to do it and the motivation is from within. It is not from someone else making you do it you do , you do it from within yourself and what you are looking to do is to embrace the trinity and to love everyone as your neighbor, which of course is the great commandment – to love your neighbor as yourself.
Sherry Weddell makes a strong statement here “We must be convinced that all the baptized, unless they die early or are incapable of making such a decision, will eventually be called to make a personal choice to live as a disciple of Jesus Christ in the midst of his Church.” And this what we long for. We long for every person in the pew, whether they sit in front or back or they are young or old, we long for that person to make that personal choice to live as a disciple of Christ.
Now if we look at the framework of our spiritual journey, Sherry Weddell calls them the 5 thresholds of conversion which are similar to our journey for becoming a digital discipleship.
So we can TRUST that tis is the thing for you to do, the right time and the right organization to help you, which I think we are – trust that you will become comfortable with the digital world
CURIOSITY, that we are curious and you are interested, we never stop learning – this world constantly changes…so it is important that you stay curious…there is always something more to learn
And there is an OPENNESS on your part, to keep moving forward – be open to the Spirit who will work through your digital interventions. The digital world is another way to Communicate the gift of the Lord in your everyday life.
Which leads to SEEKING – you need to plan and focus on what you are doing…. Especially when communicating in the name of your parish, diocese, even your personal message..
And you end up as an INTENTIONAL Digital DISCIPLESHIP – You have a feel for what it is to be an everyday disciple …and now you are being intentional in the Digital World. What will that mean for you?
This is not a 1, 2, 3 step process, or a totally linear process. You may go up and back depending where you are in your journey. But to always being open and seeking answers to satisfy your curiosity so you can you move forward to being an intentional disciple.
What is important is that you…
Begin to use TodaysMeet for Feedback and participation for today. In the future, once all have a Twitter account, you will be making comments and respond to others on twitter as part of the class. You do not need to this now, but make a note to do this once you have your twitter account set up and answer What is Digital Discipleship to you. (Go to your Twitter screen and Search for #ddbc2018 and show live on screen. ) The hashtag groups all of our comments in one area and the reason we say 140 characters is because twitter only allows 140 characters.
The easiest way to search is to type #ddbc2019 in the search bar. This should bring you to all the tweets with the same hashtag
the overall general characteristics of being a Digital Disciple.
It is important to highlight that we are ALL learning…and will continue to learn what it is to be a Digital Disciple.
You want to be comfortable in the digital culture, be able to speak and understand the digital language, be able to use more than one tool and what other characteristics do you think are of a digital discipleship?
You can respond by raising your hand or typing your answer in the question box.
Our goal is for you to be comfortable using the digital tools.
The other thing we are going to touch on is our Digital Disciple competencies, developed by the Digital Disciple Network, based on the International Standards for competency in education, but adapted for ministry.
You can address your competency in any area – they are all important.
Each module is designed to help you grow in specific areas of Digital Competency
“Ministers recognize the rights, responsibilities, and opportunities of living, learning and working in an interconnected digital world, and they act and model in ways that are safe, legal, and ethical.”
In DDBC, you will practice good digital citizenship, learn how to find materials free to use, understand safety and privacy, and many other aspects of Digital Citizenship.
A curator gathers a variety of resources using digital tools to provide meaningful learning experiences for themselves and others.
A competent curator not only compiles information, but assures that it is identified clearly.
Is this content supposed to be authoritative or Opinion?
As Catholic curators, we will encounter many authoritative resources online.
But there are biased resources as well. This is not to say they are good or bad, but it’s best to be aware of biases when curating and sharing resources.
Know your audience, too!
Ministers employ technology for creating faith relationships with others.
Communities CAN exist online!
We can do this by sharing inspirational content, faith testimonies, prayer requests, and even by celebrating birthdays and anniversaries in social media.
All of these interactions are directed toward the building up of faith networks online.
Community discipleship can be about faith formation, evangelization, peace and justice work, or interfaith dialog. All of these areas are important to creating respectful online communities.
Ministers use a variety of online platforms and tools to evangelize and share faith.
Social media
Website
Blogs
Photography
Digital stories
All of these are different ways to communicate and require distinct skills.
In this day and age, we don’t have to be at a desk to interact with others online. Mobile tools have completely dominated the culture. Rather than fight that trend, how can we use the mobile devices in our pockets to sow the seeds of faith?
From my phone, I can podcast, create movies, share images, share my God moments in the day, reach out to a friend, raise money for a worthy cause. And I can even make a phone call!
This competency says that Ministers can “sow the seed” of faith, engaging others in sharing their faith online through mobile tools.
There are more and more Catholic Apps being created every year. Some are free – some have a nominal cost. Come back to this slide to see the many resources that exist!
Ministers foster digital collaboration, both with students and colleagues.
Besides just having fun with our devices, we hope that you will embrace the competency of becoming a Collaborative Disciple.
We can foster the use of digital devices with others, either students or colleagues.
In my church, I’m someone who helps the staff learn to use their devices. In our FF classroom, I invite my families to submit pictures of their family to share with the parish. We collaborate to make a Flat Jesus project, or to share the First Communion of our children with the parish.
We will blend all approaches, continuing to move forward as new technology develkops
For those of us who are the 20th century minister there was
Lots of Books
Teachers
Classrooms and other students
Field trips
Liturgies and prayer experiences
Service Projects
Or when we wanted to talk with someone we picked up the phone or went to a meeting.
We talked and our students listened. It was a top down model.
This all was part of the 20th Century model of education
Now in the 21st century, we are looking at being networked. We had a network in the past, but now our network it is much more reaching.
So for instance you will be meeting and getting to know people all across the nation.
We have people from California, New York, Florida etc.
Yes we still have our bibles, our text books, our traditions of Catholicism, but now we have a whole new set of tools available to use to share, and connect with others to really do our best in our ministry – to reach other generations where they are!.
So what is good about being networked is that if you do not know the answer, you can easily find someone to ask, and it is important to know who you can ask or reach out to. We are going to help you with this network.
Overall, we have a long way to go in order to become 21st Century Catechists. If you look closely at the suggested options here, ask yourself – What am I ready to bring into our learning experience. I invite you to visit the school your students or children are attending…and pay attention to the technology that is woven into their learning experience. Our children are comfortable with technology…we may not be.
So now we are going to get down to some practical points and hints for you as you work through the DDBC modules
We are often asked, how much time should I plan on putting into this course? So, when we are looking at technology we have categorized it by levels. High, Moderate, and basic. Keep in mind you may be highly skilled in one tool or area and basic in another tool or area. You do not need to be highly skilled with every tool or have a goal to know everything. Those who are comfortable and skilled at using tech tools…normally spend less time than participants who have less skills. Even those with Basic skills are able to complete the program with careful planning and with assistance of their coaches.
So to reiterate, there are three levels. The Introductory level in which you attend all the modules, complete on the reading and homework, the apprentice level is for the person who attends all the modules, participates and completes all the modules including homework and upon completion will get a certificate of completion, and then for those who are at the pastoral technology certificate level you will need to attend all webinars, participate and complete all module homework and the capstone project.
Homework must be done to receive credit for each module. IF you skip a homework component, we will ask you to go back and complete it before we sign off!
If you miss a module, you can watch a recording
So from a time management perspective you will want to put all the webinars into your calendar and then schedule when you will do all the reading, and homework assignments.
All your homework is hands on which is good because you will get practical experience using the various tools, but is also means you will need to put the time in to do the work. It is not just reading and answering questions, but there is the practical work as well. So how much time you need to complete the work will vary depending on your skill level, what you want to accomplish and achieve from the course and how much time you have. You will have to take all this into consideration.
So If you plan on flying by on a “Wing and a prayer”, you will probably NOT complete what you want to complete.
Best rule to follow – Attend the LIVE Webinar – Read the Blog – Complete needed Assignments in MS Teams before the NEXT TOPIC!
On the screen now is a screen shot of our class blog. For every module there will be information about the topic we are covering during that module.
Remember, the class blog is our textbook for the course.
At the bottom of the class blog we will have the slides embed from the presentation in the webinar. This is not a recording, it is just the slides from the presentation so you easily refer back to a link or other information that you wanted to review. Then under the presentation is where you would post your homework.
SLIDESHARE is different than the recordings! For Conferences, SLIDESHARE IS visual only but specific to the actual presentation.
Presentation Slides can be accessed after each webinar.
These PPTs are also included at the end of each Module in the Class blog or you can access them at the link on the screen.
All of our webinars are recorded, should you have to miss one or would like to watch it again. It is best to watch it live, so if you have any questions we are there to answer any questions you may have. But we do realize life happens so we have the recordings available for you. Usually within 2 days we will email the link of the recorded webinar to you along with the password and then you will be able to access the information .
Your PLN includes all these elements to help you reach YOUR GOALS. PLN A system that helps YOU take control of and manage your learning.
Most of us, imagine learning as an instructor delivering information to you. Today’s learning model involves a variety of options.
We attempt to model a learning network that will model for you new ways to share your faith.
For this course, your PLN will include the elements shown. These are what we have set up to guide you through the learning outcomes for each module.
Note that our participants are at different levels. We encourage people to get comfortable with using as many tools as possible. This is a “networked way” of learning – this may be initially uncomfortable for you.
Next, I want to talk about the lab work. The lab work section is self-paced.
The tools that are part of the lab work are:
Our tools are:
WordPress which is our private blog and your textbook for the course.
OneNote which we ask you to join is your class work book.
Facebook we ask you to set-up and join our group
Twitter we ask you to join and participate in the conversation at #ddbc2018
So these are the basic tools we will be asking you to setup and join. If you already have a Facebook or Twitter account you do not need to setup another account, but please join our groups and conversations.
You will be receiving the Orientation Handbook if you have not already received it. Please read through it carefully and setup all your accounts. Just a note, before you try setting up your accounts, it is recommended you watch the lab video associated with the specific tool before trying to do the step by step instructions in your Lab eBook. We have found from the questions we get if the participants had watched the video first their questions would have been answered. So in lab self paced section you are going to set up your Wikispaces account, set up your gravatar, sign up for WordPress and register for our class blog, create a Facebook, and Twitter accounts if you do not already have one, set up your digital catechesis account. Start learning about social media guidelines. Then lastly, complete a personal information sheet with all your usernames and passwords. Please right down your usernames and passwords even if you save them in your computer. Technology is great put it can disappoint us and it will save you a headache down the road.
This part has more homework tasks for you to complete, like setting up your SN accounts. This must be completed at the end of the lab sessions (June 27, 2018)
As I mentioned, in addition to the Lab eBook, we have lab videos that go along with the step by step instructions. You can find the videos by going to the address on your screen or we have included them in the Lab Ebook as well. This is an OPEN website for you. We email the link if you need it. The lab videos will give you an overview of the tools and instructions on how to set-up your accounts. No passwords are needed. The lab videos are ½ hour long.
As part of your homework, you will set up a WordPress Account and request to join our blog. The sooner the better – it sometimes takes a while to get everyone enrolled properly. Instructions are in the Handout. Call your coach if you need help!
This is a PRIVATE blog so the comments that you post are ONLY seen by those who are members of this Class blog.
Watch for the invite to this blog. Or you can go to the Blog URL. You will be told that it is a private blog and that you need to ask to be a member.
You must be a member of WORDPRESS (Free) in order to have access to the blog.
This is what our class blog looks like. Again it is a private blog and we want you to get comfortable posting and commenting without the fear and worrying about who will see it and who is going to see what you are doing. So it is private and we encourage you with your gravatar to use a real picture so we can get to know each other better. Also, when you set up your WordPress account and Gravatar Account, please use your real name. It can be First initial and last name. Cofycat is nice, but we do not know who you are.
During your independent lab work, if you get stuck or start feel overwhelmed your coach is available to assist you. We are all glad to help. You can email, text, or call your coach. You can slo google the specific tool you are working on for more information.
Next, I want to talk about the lab work. The lab work section is self-paced.
So what are your deadlines. You want to have all your accounts set up at the absolute latest by June 24, because we begin the Social Networking module the next day. Also, please make sure you introduce yourself via the class blog, and join the conversation at #ddbc2017 by answering the question what digital discipleship means to you.
We don’t want you to feel stuck or overwhelmed, but if start becoming overwhelmed, reach out to your coach.
We are all ready and waiting to help you. We want you to succeed.
We have about 20 participants around the country this time! We found that the best approach is to allow our participants to work independently first, but to be available for help if needed. However, there are only five of us. Review Part 1 of the Handout, PAGE 7, and refer to our consultation fee. The first 15 minutes of help per module is included, but additional help time can be negotiated for a fee if you need it. Talk to your assigned coach about this.
Please take time to read the orientation handbook. Keep it in a safe and handing spot so you can refer back to it if you need to.
The orientation hand book has all the coaches and contact information, on the front and then inside it covers all the information about the course from our schedule, homework, required reading, if something happens, levels of participation. So please take time to read through it.
THESE HAVE BEEN EMAILED TO YOU. They are also available on our class wiki.
WHAT are we learning about? The topics we will be covering in this course will be Ten Great Ideas, Digital storytelling, social network, wikis, mobile devices, websites etc.
On the class blog, for each module we have a link for a completion check list, please click on it and complete the completion check list.
When you click on the link it will take you to the completion check list which is a google form that is similar to what you see on the screen. Please fill it out and hit submit and then we will receive the information.
All devices will work
Some will have different displays or features, esp on the webinars.
Use the live sessions to practice using your device.
Our training is unique, by providing you with “Hands On” experience with the various tools. Or goal is to develop your Digital Mind – to understand the culture, speak the language, and to develop the skills that you will need in today’s ministry world. It is often a slow process. Educators often say that for an everyday teacher to become really comfortable in using technology in his/her classroom, it often takes 5 years. Your goal – start slowly, and continue to develop your skills. Keeping up with your PLN is very important today!
This is a nice quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson – Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. We are digital trail blazers. There are lots of people doing various pieces out there. At DDBC we are trying to provide something that is cohesive and manageable that you can then use in your ministry and then other people can follow and do the same. You know Jesus leads us in great way and now we need to be a trail blazer utilizing these tools to lead others to him. Our prayer is that after you finish DDBC you will be the one to go where there is no path and leave a trail for others.
We have a web site! This is NOT related to the DDBC course materials, but is a good place to refer people to if they want more information about DDBC.
We always have a few people who have trouble connecting – even one of us this time.
Sometimes if the invitation comes to your email inbox, it does not allow you to connect properly. After connecting to the class blog, your SHOULD be able to see AND comment in the blog. If you can’t, let your coach know right away and we will assist.