Mobile+Devices+and+Ministry+-+The+Church+is+Moving+Ahead!

Assignment #2
 * Mobile Devices and Ministry - The Church is Moving Ahead! **
 * Digital Etiquette and Student Permission and Agreement Guidelines **

Expected time to complete reading and the written assignment: 15 - 30 minutes

As we move ahead, Digital Etiquette and Student Permission and Agreement Guidelines are very important!



Your assignment for this segment is consider how you will encourage your participants to use good digital etiquette. In addition, if you are using cell phones with your participants (especially children), what guidelines will you share with them?

** Digital Etiquette: **

Please add how you will encourage good digital etiquette:
 * (Example) - I am involved with RCIA candidates. As I begin prayer, I invite the candidates to have their cell phones at hand, as they will be invited during prayer to "text a friend" or I may have another team member "text a Scripture Phrase" that is part of our prayer service. After they have used their phone, I simply remind them to put their phone on a quiet mode, so that we will not be disturbed with calls during our session.
 * To maintain digital etiquette I would recommend that standards and or policy for use of mobile devices be published by the parish and made available for the users. We must be guided by our parish leadership to assure a sound foundation for the use of mobile devices in our parish.

Kristi J - I don't currently use cell phones in ministry. - I think, though, that incorporating them at some points during gatherings would encourage people to be more compliant/respectful of digital etiquette guideliness. A standard parish policy is an excellent idea, and I think distinguishing between worship, education/formation, meeting and social times would be a nice broad base to cover most (all?) usage guidelines.

Beatrice I am involved with the Catechists and providing for their certification. I would like to teach the catechists how to encorporate the use of cell phones in their classes. I will invite them to have their cell phones available during the prayer. They will open the Loyola 3 min. retreat as we begin prayer. After they have completed this prayer activity, I will simply remind them to put their phones on a quiet mode, so that we will not be disturbed with calls during our session.

Amy Since my first introduction to using a cell phone as part of pray, we have used it during prayer time to text or call someone who has shown them or taught them about God. The very first time we used that in Youth Group the kids almost fell over! They were so excited that we (adult leaders) were using things that are so much a part of their everyday life. When we were finished with our opening prayer...I asked the students to silence their phones...but to keep them handy because we were using them again in a later part of our retreat. (We did this for our Lenten Retreat). I plan on using that style opening prayer again this year...but to add the blessing of the phone as well! They will LOVE it!

Diane I don't currently use cell phones in ministry and beyond the prayer that I've experienced with texting a friend, I am just not seeing how to use texting further in ministry. I have a real block to creativity here. Any suggestions of what I might view regarding this particular area? I do not have the funds to have internet access on my phone or any of the phones of my family members, so I feel very limited in knowledge and accessibility. As far as good digital etiquette, I would see this as part of the Acceptable Use Policy in every school and parish, but am wondering about AUP with adults, is this necessary? Does anyone use anything like this? The suggestions given in the powerpoint presentation all seem reasonable to me to include. In my parish and even in our parish school, there would be many children who would not have a cell phone, even if for only calling and texting and with those who do, we'd have to be very sensitive to phone plan limits.

Thomas As a teacher new to junior high this year, I would first do an introduction to social networking guidelines using online resources. For instance, I'd start off with a short video on cyber bullying such as: []. Then I would follow up with a pledge sheet: [] The Netsmartz website has many vaulable features for all ages including tips, discussion starters, videos, and other teaching materials related to safety and etiquette.

Jennifer As a new teacher, I don't think I will encourage the use of cell phones in my classroom, even for specific activities. I like the idea, but I think it will be confusing for students, since the student handbook clearly states that if a teacher sees a cell phone, we are supposed to confiscate it. I love the idea of a pledge sheet to encourage digitial etiquette.

Pat We don't currently use cell phones in Faith Formation. After a discussion with our DRE, he didn't seem comfortable with the idea. The one area I liked was JOTT.com for contacting the parents. Looking further on the internet, JOTT.com is no longer working as of 5/3/11. Nuance took the company over and is no longer using JOTT. I have a phone with limited internet access, but I would only use it to text information to the parents or children. I know many of the children in the parish school don't have cell phones.

Glennell ( UPDATE: I used the i-Pad to download the text, Toys to Tools) I do not have access to __//Toys to Tools//__, but I have read the book review and reader comments. Sister Ann recommended an on-line curriculum site www.commonsensemedia.org, which provides content describing Parent education and activities for participating in their child's on-line life. The learning units cover: 1. Digital Life- Describes tools and how they can effectively be used to enhance learning and communication in society. The rights and responsibilities of the organization, parent, student; forms for parent consent and permission, student agreement for compliance to rules and responsibility. Use of filters for safety. 2. Privacy and Digital Footprints- Emphasis on protecting personal identity and that of others as well as the technology that tracks internet usage and leaves a digital record. 3. Self-Expression and Identity- Emphasis on teen and pre-teen's need to establish their own personal style and identity; and the importance making good choices of how they portray who they are and how they express that in language, social contact, image. Encouraged to be authentic and cautioned against false profiles. 4. Connected Culture-Discusses the on-line culture, etiquette, courtesy,being respectful online and not participating in online bullying. Report miss use of network to [] 5. Respecting Creative Work - Guidelines for using music, images and written creative materials in mixed media presentation, assuring atribution and avoiding violations of copyright. This Program was comprehensive and had a very strong unit for teaching Digital Citizenship and how to develop parent support and monitoring. Walt Smith I have been in discussion with our new YM as to how we can/should incorporate cell phones into our ministry. We discussed using them in retreat settings to maintain timing on group discussion time. also, we discussed using them to text our parents during Little Peoples ministry if there is a problem with their child. We also thought of having them do a discussion thread on important topics discussed at the retreat and bringing the responses back to the next gathering.

**﻿**
 * Student Permission and Agreement Guidelines: **

For those who have the book, review pages 17-21. How would you adapt this material to fit how you will communicate to your students about using this tool in your classroom? Please add your comments below, and remember to add your name at the end.
 * Add your comment here.

- Kristi: I don't have the book yet :) will edit this line once I do!

Beatrice
The guidelines are pretty clear. If I were to use cell phones, I would be sure the following are included: - Have the permission of the parish administrator for the use of cell phones - Have parents give permission for the student to use the cell phone in class. - Be sure to tell parents the reason for this project -Encourate the parents to participate in the project as well - Describe the reason for the project and the desired outcome - Find a way for reporting the outcome, e.g. a podcast, etc.

Amy Our Parish Administrator was at the conference where were introduced to this idea...so natural he was all for it. As stated above by Sr. Bea, we must be sure to have all our permissions in order. Since I was new to all of this last year....I verbal consulted each parent as the student came to class...I explained why we were using the phone and asked if it was ok for the student to do that. Some parents didn't allow the student to use the phone...but I found other ways for the student to participate by having them be a facilitator. That way they still had a "job" just not with a phone. It really worked out well.

Diane - After reading the sample permission form and explanation, I see that projects could include use of the internet or a landline in some homework assignments, too. I really like the idea of having the kids/teens help set the requirements for responsible use and suggest what the consequence will be for those who don't "play nice." I also think it's important for teachers to state what is being done, how it meets the ISTE guidelines and who else was consulted in choosing the plan of action. I would love, as a parent, to view my child's work and the work of the other students and would in turn be learning the technology that my child is using.

Sister Ann I teach a course to sophomores called Media and Values. I use __Media and Mindfulness__ by Gretchen Hailer, RSHM and Rose Pacatte, FSP for my course curriculum. I also use [] which offers a curriculum for parent education as well as grade level and educators articles. This site has some interesting information on cell phones. []. What was assigned for reading was very clear and inclusive. Our school has guidelines and student contracts regarding use of technology. I have the students re- read the contract in my class each semester. I do not think I will use cell phones in my class. However, I am interested in some cell phone homework assignments.

Jennifer I don't have the book yet!

Pat The guidelines are very clear. 1.The assignment needs to have the permission of the administrator of the parish. 2. A written permission form signed by the parents and an agreement with the child. 3. A good explanation of what the project is about. 4. Let the parents know that if they don't want there children to use cell phones, there are alternatives for them. 5. And let the parents know that they will be able to view the final product.

Cindy Taylor We do not use cell phones or even computers in our CCD classes yet. I would propose a committee for each parish to determine appropriate use and expectations of such use of this technology. Each parish should take its lead from the diocese so that there is continuity in rules, as we are consistent in our safe-child and vulnerable adult practices, we need to be consistent in this respect for reasons stated in the guidelines of the diocese.

Glennell Munné I do have access to the text, //Toys to Toys//, however the on-line articles re: mobile devices and applications developed for digital literacy and citizenship curriculum and parent media education programs, provide recommendations for incorporating mobile technology into curriculum and suggestions for managing and modifying misuse and distracting behavior in class room. (Safety- Etiquette - Responsibility - Opportunity) 1. Collaborative development of standards for permission forms, student contracts by Institution, student, and parents. 2. Establish advisory committee made up industry leaders, parents, students, and members with expertise in regulatory standards (ISTE,NETS) 3. Plan a “Media Festival” that will be a fun interactive event where parents and students can explore media together. 4. Collaborative plan for future acquisition of technology and expansion of program. 5. Continuing teacher education specifically directed toward technological advances. 6. Timely disclosure to parents of technology requirements in the home to afford seamless school/home interface. Advise parents of the scope of the project. Assure there are resources available equally to all students; financial assistance or access to school/ public resources if student is limited in means. 7. Opt out clauses written into Parent/Student rights and responsibility. 8. Clear statement of penalties and consequence resulting from failure to comply with guidelines. 9. Disclaimer: Families are warned some material may be illegal, defamatory, inaccurate, and potentially offensive.

Pam Emery I love the idea of using cell phones in some upper grade Religious Education classes. After all, we know the students have them - and rather than policing "under the desk texting," as we often do - using them to effectively communicate the mission of Christ would be a blessing. Toys to Tools guidelines are excellent and clear. Obviously, parental permission is a must. Finding a way to incorporate cell phone use effectively and with permission will be my next challenge.

Walt Smith everyone's ideas are great, and I can only add that involvement with the parents in making sure that they are part of the projects, planning and review of the outcomes is vital to its success

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