tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65657224523675808352024-03-19T14:47:39.524-07:00TechTools for Faith FormationUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6565722452367580835.post-38471183472231842962013-07-25T12:35:00.003-07:002016-02-29T11:56:11.318-08:00IntroductionPlease take a deep breath, and relax as you slowly exhale that lifegiving gift from God.<br />
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God is everywhere. Even online! Please slow down, take another deep breath, exhale, and allow composer <a href="http://www.giamusic.com/bios/paul-melley" target="_blank">Paul Melley</a> to share this prayer with you, made with <a href="http://www.animoto.com/" target="_blank">Animoto</a>, and brought to you by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7umPJjgop4" target="_blank">YouTube</a>.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/q7umPJjgop4?rel=0" width="480"></iframe>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">The Internet causes billions of images to appear on millions of
computer monitors around the planet. From this galaxy of sight and sound will
the face of Christ emerge and the voice of Christ be heard? For it is only when
his face is seen and his voice heard that the world will know the glad tidings
of our redemption. This is the purpose of evangelization. </span>
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<div align="right" class="MsoTitle" style="text-align: right;">
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<div align="left" class="MsoTitle" style="margin-left: 3.0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">-Pope John Paul II</span><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 3in;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">http://tinyurl.com/36thWorldCommunications</span></div>
</blockquote>
Welcome to a quick overview to some tools that can help us, as Disciples of Christ, make his Story known.<br />
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Here are some resources to continue the journey after spending time with this overview:<br />
<br />
Consumption: <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/timewelch" target="_blank">https://www.diigo.com/user/timewelch</a><br />
Creation: <a href="http://catechesis20.wordpress.com/index/" target="_blank">http://catechesis20.wordpress.com/index/</a><br />
Community: <a href="http://digitalcatechesis.ning.com/" target="_blank">http://digitalcatechesis.ning.com/</a><br />
Collaboration: <a href="http://nacmp.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://nacmp.blogspot.com/</a><br />
Communication: cem.twelch@stcdio.orgUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6565722452367580835.post-35020497007240550462013-07-24T15:02:00.000-07:002016-02-29T11:58:06.747-08:00Digital ImmigrantsEver notice that an immigrant can learn to speak the language of his/her new country fluently... but an older person retains the accent of his/her language of origin, whereas an younger person speaks the new language accent free? Marc Prensky, in his article entitled <i><a href="http://www.nnstoy.org/download/technology/Digital%20Natives%20-%20Digital%20Immigrants.pdf" target="_blank">Digital Natives - Digital Immigrants</a></i>, uses the analogy to refer to those who, while perhaps knowing how to use technology, find it to be... well... a different paradigm.<br />
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Instead of dwelling on this, let's take a look at a digital immigrant in action:<br />
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By a show of hands, how many are digital immigrants?<br />
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In what ways are you finding it difficult, or scary, to make use of the technology tools we have at our disposal?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6565722452367580835.post-31341956213094994812013-07-23T10:13:00.000-07:002013-08-01T13:15:06.721-07:00Digital NativesDigital Natives are those who are growing up with technology as a part of their lives. They seem to intuit these tools, and expect them in their lives... especially in their education. They seem to "speak technology", and if we don't speak their language, we are missing a prime opportunity to connect with them. I wonder if NOT speaking the language of the learner could be considered catechetical malpractice.<br />
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Here is an example of Digital Natives in action:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/T7TI-AJi2O8?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Did you notice anything odd about this video? Can you imagine what it took to create it? Did you see:</div>
<ul>
<li>Excitement? </li>
<li>Engagement? </li>
<li>Community? </li>
</ul>
We now know the story of Shorewood High School. Can we tell <i>our</i> Story using video, and posting it on YouTube? Can our parishes and schools do this?<br />
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Share an example of how some Digital Natives you know use technology to: </div>
<ul>
<li>Generate excitement and engagement</li>
<li>Build community</li>
<li>Stay connected </li>
</ul>
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</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6565722452367580835.post-13260887520222693722013-07-22T12:40:00.000-07:002013-07-31T12:44:48.887-07:00The Five Cs of the Catechetical Ministry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/8PB2rJ1xQt0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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When exploring tools to use in my catechetical ministry, I often refer to the five "C"s to make sure I have my bases covered. A catechist should be familiar with:<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Consumption</b> - where can I find good resources for my own growth?</li>
<li><b>Creation</b> - what tools can I use to create engaging media to tell the Story of the Reign of God?</li>
<li><b>Community</b> - what tools enhance the community I belong to, and even broaden it?</li>
<li><b>Collaboration</b> - what tools allow me to work with others so that we can all benefit?</li>
<li><b>Communication</b> - how do all of the above tools help me communicate our faith, and are there tools that can "mashup" or combine bits of the story into a more effective whole?</li>
</ul>
Can you think of any other main area that technology tools can be used? Calendaring perhaps... or would that fit into the last three "C"s? <br /><ul>
</ul>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6565722452367580835.post-54123507806121544532013-07-21T12:56:00.000-07:002016-02-29T12:03:50.582-08:00ConsumptionIt would be good for any catechist, or student for that matter, to have a number of good sites that would help them develop as disciples of Christ.<br />
<h3>
<a href="http://www.twitter.com/" target="_blank">Twitter</a> </h3>
I often suggest joining <a href="http://www.twitter.com/" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, but people don't want to "tweet"! So I suggest they just join, and follow the tweets of a few others. Then, when they feel the urge, they can tweet to see how they like it. If you tweet a bit of important news or a good video you saw, or some other enlivening subject... rather than just what you had for breakfast... you may find Twitter to be a valuable tool in your ministry. A couple of tweeting Twitterers to twy... I mean try:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="https://twitter.com/Pontifex" target="_blank">Pope Francis on Twitter</a></li>
<li><a href="https://twitter.com/JamesMartinSJ" target="_blank">Fr. James Martin, SJ on Twitter </a></li>
</ul>
<h3>
<a href="http://youtube.com/" target="_blank">YouTube</a></h3>
Lot's of great video's to consume. And some icky stuff too! Let's support the good stuff by sharing it! One of my favorites:<br />
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<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/H17edn_RZoY/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/H17edn_RZoY&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/H17edn_RZoY&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
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<h3>
<a href="http://vimeo.com/" target="_blank">Vimeo</a></h3>
Vimeo is like YouTube, except the community is more discriminating about the videos they host, and they activity guard their reputation. You may only upload videos you create, or have a hand in creation. There are lots of great ones. If you have 16 minutes, this one is worth watching:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/2485018" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="360"></iframe></center>
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<a href="http://www.bc.edu/content/bc/church21.html" target="_blank"><br /></a>
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<h3>
<a href="http://www.bc.edu/content/bc/church21.html" target="_blank">Boston College's C21</a></h3>
Many videos, <a href="http://www.bc.edu/content/bc/church21/webcast.html" target="_blank">like the ones at Boston College's C21 (Church in the 21st Century) Center</a> can be consumed through colleges and universities, through your web browsers or <a href="http://www.apple.com/education/itunes-u/" target="_blank">iTunes University</a>. Here is an example from C21 (in this case, via YouTube... lots of videos can be found on multiple sites):<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Idsim1nPEZU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<h3>
Prayer Resources</h3>
If you want to combine online time with quiet prayer time, check out sites like:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.sacredspace.ie/" target="_blank">Sacred Space</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.pray-as-you-go.org/" target="_blank">Pray-as-you-go</a></li>
</ul>
There is more on the internet than just video resources. And, while you check out these sites, dream about how you can create such a presence for your organization.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6565722452367580835.post-829866934718409302013-07-20T14:14:00.000-07:002016-02-29T12:08:57.405-08:00CreationFinally, a chance to introduce myself and to introduce what can be done with an iPad only. I used it to:<br />
<ol>
<li>take pictures of my old photos with the built in camera</li>
<li>surf for online graphics and download them to my iPad using Safari for the iPad</li>
<li>add sunglasses to a photo of my chin using the app called <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cool-finger-faces/id492606918?mt=8" target="_blank">Cool Finger Faces</a></li>
<li>animated my upside down chin with <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/photospeak-3d-talking-photo/id329711426?mt=8" target="_blank">Photospeak</a>, or you can use <a href="http://www.morfoapp.com/" target="_blank">Morfo Booth</a></li>
<li>put it all together with <a href="http://www.apple.com/apps/imovie/?cid=wwa-us-kwg-ipad-com&siclientid=5893&sessguid=c82a2b24-6d5c-414b-8ea4-1aa1b541dbb8&userguid=c82a2b24-6d5c-414b-8ea4-1aa1b541dbb8&permguid=c82a2b24-6d5c-414b-8ea4-1aa1b541dbb8" target="_blank">iMovie for the iPad</a></li>
</ol>
and here it is:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/NLPQJHWRaAE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<br />
The National Directory for Catechesis has a lot to say about media... including a call to parishes to create media to tell our Story! Watch for Point Number 4!<br />
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<center br="">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="203" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/29802569?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="360"></iframe> <br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/29802569" target="_blank">Sister Rose Goes to the Movies</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/bemydisciples" target="_blank">Be My Disciples</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/" target="_blank">Vimeo</a>.</center>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6565722452367580835.post-84559419160224652662013-07-20T08:38:00.000-07:002016-02-29T12:14:11.346-08:00Examples: Creating with scanners and cameras<h3>
Scan in Coloring Projects or Photos</h3>
Creating media to tell a part of THE Story can be as simple as snapping a photo of something done in a more traditional fashion... like coloring.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMRnSS7rpaKHkk5QkGSIOUeHEcspaa4FfsG6VeT2y4YR7DRmkjNt_LhYoeLIUdT_1Fapo6Nh7BvX8qOCq1jkfFkA7928PAXVmurzkhiy-jnBJfeqW4Xh3Zgsq01mEhBKHhOHtih2XIxI/s1600/FaithFormationTools.058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMRnSS7rpaKHkk5QkGSIOUeHEcspaa4FfsG6VeT2y4YR7DRmkjNt_LhYoeLIUdT_1Fapo6Nh7BvX8qOCq1jkfFkA7928PAXVmurzkhiy-jnBJfeqW4Xh3Zgsq01mEhBKHhOHtih2XIxI/s400/FaithFormationTools.058.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
This tri-parish faith community ask youngsters to draw a picture of the Nativity scene. It was scanned and inserted into the parish bulletin. I'll bet I can name some people who surely read the bulletin that week.... and maybe took a few extras for Grandma!<br />
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<h3>
Snap a Photo of Anything</h3>
Studying Images of God? Have highschoolers use their smart phones to take pictures around their homes or churches of anything that speaks to them of God's graciousness. Or snap a picture of a clay creation pre-schoolers made. Or snap a photo of a human symbol. Photos were take of a youth group forming a Cross, then uploaded to <a href="http://animoto.com/" target="_blank">Animoto.com</a> to create this video:<br />
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<embed id="vp1qeoLG" src="http://static.animoto.com/swf/w.swf?w=swf/production/vp1&e=1375372852&f=qeoLGOF6DLc2iBJIBi6i6g&d=0&m=a&r=360p&volume=100&start_res=360p&i=m&asset_domain=s3-p.animoto.com&animoto_domain=animoto.com&options=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="432" height="243"></embed></object></div>
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What Story do you want to tell of the Reign of God? What would you scan in or take of photo of to express that story?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6565722452367580835.post-40814996811390466212013-07-19T09:08:00.000-07:002016-02-29T12:15:54.397-08:00Examples: Enhancing ImagesNow that you have taken some photos, or scanned in some images, you can use them the way they are, or use online tools to enhance them. Some of these tools, and other resources and tools, can be found at <a href="https://catechesis20.wordpress.com/index/" target="_blank">Catechesis 2.0</a>, a collection of Web 2.0 tools with descriptions of how they can support catechesis.<br />
<h3>
Big Huge Labs </h3>
For the following, simply put your photos on your computer (the Desktop is good, and makes them easy to find). Go to the site, and follow the instructions. Typically, you click on an "Upload" button, navigate to your photo(s) and click OK or Upload. The site then does something magical to them according to the purpose of the site. For example, the following was created by uploading a photo by Julie Tschida to <a href="http://www.bighugelabs.com/motivator.php" target="_blank">Big Huge Lab's Motivator</a> and adding text according to the instructions:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5A8opqrUdFrbfI2FuRqiLYQ1eDHGDk3qNNVdAXfd-KX1saoos5_heCewqmG1Ccua-v9s5ybsC5bbk8tLC_17Igvoi90lVTUFIG7lxb2raLL2jZ4BNlOhUddnVP4sX_Mx9UNnetYzRwg/s1600/FaithFormationTools.147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5A8opqrUdFrbfI2FuRqiLYQ1eDHGDk3qNNVdAXfd-KX1saoos5_heCewqmG1Ccua-v9s5ybsC5bbk8tLC_17Igvoi90lVTUFIG7lxb2raLL2jZ4BNlOhUddnVP4sX_Mx9UNnetYzRwg/s400/FaithFormationTools.147.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The process:<br />
<ul>
<li>Explore the Tool </li>
<li>Oh and Ah over it </li>
<li>Decide what you want to do </li>
<li>Upload your photo/image </li>
<li>Try different things </li>
<li>Download or <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1mzUxanEiA" target="_blank">screen capture</a> the finished product </li>
</ul>
is pretty universal. View this video tutorial, and then try other tools list below.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ddlt941jPPk?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Other sites to try:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://pixlr.com/" target="_blank">Pixlr</a> - for basic editing and enhancing</li>
<ul>
<li><span class="editor-link"><a href="http://pixlr.com/editor/" target="_blank" title="pixlr photo editor">Pixlr editor (Advanced)</a>
</span>
</li>
<li><span class="editor-link"><a href="http://pixlr.com/express/" target="_blank" title="pixlr image express">Pixlr express (Efficient)</a>
</span>
</li>
<li>
<span class="editor-link"><a href="http://pixlr.com/o-matic/" target="_blank" title="vintage photo effects">Pixlr-o-matic (Playful) </a></span></li>
<ul>
<li><span class="editor-link">Here is a video showing Pixlr-o-Matic... you can upload videos to enhance, or use a web cam for a live feed... as this tutorial shows </span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
</ul>
<span class="editor-link"></span><br />
<ul><ul><ul>
<center>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="266" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/CDZzvCLQ-Oo?rel=0" width="320"></iframe> </center>
<center>
</center>
<center>
</center>
</ul>
</ul>
<li><span class="editor-link"><a href="http://www.photofunia.com/" target="_blank">PhotoFunia</a> - for putting photos in interesting and fun places, like mirrors, ads on Time Square, Art Galleries... fun to create pictures of your learners as you see them... very special! There are even new tools in there lab, where you can create images. Guess whose feast Day it is today as I type this? (note: after downloading the image, I can insert it into a video or PowerPoint/Keynote presentation):</span></li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfwBllDs90bw_s5RD6RS-f8nyLYGPO9ze5JavStZSQcHMTN9vflcXPPGeHKNleLATID73Z4LlQXgTVwycXDfvpg83MYZgs3AoSYJxXD7U242xTTq_BYJOJobNpeek5MPL6FBZwkbGQg3Q/s1600/PhotoFunia-ac5704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfwBllDs90bw_s5RD6RS-f8nyLYGPO9ze5JavStZSQcHMTN9vflcXPPGeHKNleLATID73Z4LlQXgTVwycXDfvpg83MYZgs3AoSYJxXD7U242xTTq_BYJOJobNpeek5MPL6FBZwkbGQg3Q/s320/PhotoFunia-ac5704.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="editor-link"><br /></span></div>
<ul>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6565722452367580835.post-68421241028640996972013-07-18T12:34:00.000-07:002016-03-06T14:37:15.040-08:00Examples: Video Production<h3>
Online Tools </h3>
<a href="http://www.animoto.com/" target="_blank">Animoto</a><br />
<br />
Now that you have your images, you can create an account in a video creation site. <a href="http://www.animoto.com/" target="_blank">Animoto</a> is a popular one. For free, you and your class can create 30-second videos (longer videos can be created for $30.00/year... very reasonable). You simply upload your photos (and video clips too!), choose a theme and a score (this can include your own creation or narration), and let <a href="http://www.animoto.com/" target="_blank">Animoto</a> do the magic.<br />
<br />
In this video, we uploaded photos by my colleague, Julie Tschida, and asked our young friend Mariah to record the prayer using a free audio recording application called <a href="http://audacity.sourceforge.net/" target="_blank">Audacity</a>. We uploaded that to <a href="http://www.animoto.com/" target="_blank">Animoto</a> as well, and created this video:<br />
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With the tools of images and a video creator, you can deliver the Story in many ways. In the following, a group of adults shared an online experience, then submitted words or phrases that came to their mind. Kind of like Lectio Divina or Visio Divina. The words/phrases were then put into a PowerPoint, where they were graphically enhanced. The PowerPoint was then saved as individual JPGs (photos). Finally, the video was created as a reflection tool for all participants:<br />
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And, of course, our introductory prayer on the<a href="http://faithformationtechtools.blogspot.com/2013/07/introduction.html" target="_blank"> first page</a> of this TechTool blog was made by composer Paul Melley, who shared his song with us through music and fine images.<br />
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<h3>
YouTube</h3>
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More and more apps have the capability of uploading to YouTube built right in. Our office tested this capability using the iPad/iPhone/iPod using a fun app call <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/vidrhythm/id457548851?mt=8" target="_blank">VidRhythm</a>. It walks you through putting together a song (e.g. say "Boom" loudly, or "Happy" on this pitch), and then creates a fun video with music. The fun thing is... you can say whatever you want, like, "God is Good". Here is our creation, made in minutes, and uploaded to YouTube for all to "ooh and ahh" over:<br />
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You can also, with a YouTube account, record directly on YouTube, and then share the link. This way you can deliver "talking head" content and messages to your learners.<br />
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<h3>
Your own Video Camera or Smartphone </h3>
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And don't forget what you can do with your own smartphone or camera! One man "taped" his Confirmation students doing their version of "I am not Ashamed (of the Gospel of Jesus Christ)" commercial seen below.<br />
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If you had a camera and 30 seconds to announce some Good News, what would it be, and how would it look. What tools would you use?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6565722452367580835.post-56577809034933950362013-07-18T10:00:00.000-07:002016-02-29T12:18:13.801-08:00Example: Morfo 3D Face Booth for the iPad/iPhoneAs of this writing, the Feast Day today is that of the Transfiguration. So, of course, I went online, found a copyright neutral image of Saint Peter, and had him share briefly about his encounter...<br />
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The tool I used was <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/morfo-3d-face-booth/id440560166?mt=8" target="_blank">Morfo Booth</a> (as it reads on my iPad), but formally called <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/morfo-3d-face-booth/id440560166?mt=8" target="_blank">Morfo 3D Face Booth (99 cents), or simply Morfo (free version)</a>. I launched Morfo 3D Face Booth, choose the image of St. Peter from my Photos, and followed the prompts of Morfo. Then I "shared" the movie with my Photos app, and uploaded it to YouTube from there.</div>
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There are so many apps. I choose one or two that I go to often, but try others I find in the App Store. I will search for video and camera effects, and storytelling tools. I will also google "Digital Storytelling" or "Storytelling Tools or Apps for Education."</div>
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What is your favorite iPad, iPhone, or Android... or other... App for telling our Story? Ask a friend who has a tablet or smartphone. What is theirs?</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6565722452367580835.post-42196970656767087512013-07-17T14:02:00.000-07:002016-02-29T12:19:31.366-08:00CommunityWith sites like <a href="http://www.facebook.com/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> (<a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57525797-93/facebook-hits-1-billion-active-user-milestone/" target="_blank">over one billion active users</a>) so engaging to so many people, how can we <i>not</i> be there? If we have a Story to tell, should we not be finding the large audiences?<br />
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It is scary to many digital natives... but I imagine missionaries going to foreign countries are scared too. Jesus sent forth disciples by twos. Facebook pages should have more than one administrator as well, especially if they represent official communities. There is so much more to explore than this space could begin to address... <br />
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<i>Ooops, excuse me, I have a Facebook note from a former colleague who now lives 5 hours away... I'm back. We have arranged for people from my office to meet him and his new wife for lunch in a few weeks. Ahhh! Distraction or enhanced community experience? My priority is taking the time to stay connected with him. In fact, making time for others is a top priority in my life, it is all about giving ourselves to others, right?</i><br />
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Our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/dioceseofsaintcloud" target="_blank">diocesan web page</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DioceseofStCloudYouthMinistry" target="_blank">diocesan youth ministry page</a>, try to keep the Story going by posting videos (like ones we create), graphics, prayers, announcements and other information. Many parishes... and lots of youth groups, use Facebook as a prime means of communication... and community enhancement.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnAsvDpJcxlyySz4ao9ZigzcJjlaxHLcV0MWA_dR2XgKwdx7N140J4MOcBmo4pzlsGsWp7uLoIrszUOtAghBbRi1B4PSkC7nifhk2bkGPCAEUgbTucOyM2A7S0Yem0OH2Nc9TYwKDoVK0/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-08-01+at+6.46.41+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnAsvDpJcxlyySz4ao9ZigzcJjlaxHLcV0MWA_dR2XgKwdx7N140J4MOcBmo4pzlsGsWp7uLoIrszUOtAghBbRi1B4PSkC7nifhk2bkGPCAEUgbTucOyM2A7S0Yem0OH2Nc9TYwKDoVK0/s320/Screen+shot+2013-08-01+at+6.46.41+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Eizabeth Drescher shared that social networking sites enriches face to face relationships in a wonderful essay entitled <a href="http://www.religiondispatches.org/archive/atheologies/4775/god%E2%80%99s_chosen_tweeters_/" target="_blank">God's Chosen Tweeters?</a> It certainly seemed to be true to the 40 participants who gathered to celebrate the 40th anniversary of a diocesan retreat experience ... all planned through a Facebook Group:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZjXqOFPjJyYSSkfvVwxw2kZrHbj5D030VKY0jYNdZ0gxro697WLFlaQGLrKuwzX7YD5MB4lhX3qz9FitpqqsOYo1VsLc1GpU4G-bJdT0hqzX8Er6arWgx5xXYrgUwUBBz5b0WHihGNM/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-08-01+at+6.58.27+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="48" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZjXqOFPjJyYSSkfvVwxw2kZrHbj5D030VKY0jYNdZ0gxro697WLFlaQGLrKuwzX7YD5MB4lhX3qz9FitpqqsOYo1VsLc1GpU4G-bJdT0hqzX8Er6arWgx5xXYrgUwUBBz5b0WHihGNM/s320/Screen+shot+2013-08-01+at+6.58.27+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
That is... only 40 attended. Hundreds found out about it, many expressed regrets (summer busy-ness you know), and many reminisced together... something that would not have happened had it not been for this online tool.<br />
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What would you post to a Facebook page for the world to see? How would you tell others about that page? What would you post to keep them engaged? Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6565722452367580835.post-40472902704304503352013-07-17T10:30:00.000-07:002016-02-29T12:20:21.353-08:00CollaborationThere are so many tools for collaborating with your community members, where does one begin?<br />
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There are wikis (like <a href="http://pbworks.com/" target="_blank">http://pbworks.com/</a>) where members can all work on a single document:<br />
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or <a href="http://google.com/" target="_blank">Google Docs</a> (now part of Google Drive) that allow people with a Google account create PowerPoint presentations, Word Documents, Excel Spreadsheets, Forms (for collection of data like Registrations) and more... and then share them with others to consume or co-edit.<br />
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I would suggest playing with a number of tools. Remember, each skill you learn with one tool can usually be transferred to another. When you have built up enough skill sets, things become more second nature.<br />
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For example, try <a href="http://padlet.com/" target="_blank">Padlet</a>, formerly known as <a href="http://padlet.com/" target="_blank">Wall Wisher</a>, on online bulletin board for sticky notes. You don't even need an account. Post something you want to share, like items to bring to a picnic, and share the "wall" address with others. People can then simple post what they want to bring. Of course there are many more features, but it can be that simple to collaborate. Here is a quick introductory video, followed by the live wall... as you can see, one can embed it into a blog!<br />
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<a href="http://padlet.com/" style="color: #41555f; text-decoration: none;">Created with Padlet<img src="http://padlet.com/favicon.ico" style="border: none; height: 16px; margin: 0 0 0 10px; padding: 0; width: 16px;" valign="middle" /></a></div>
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The wall above is live, and embedded in this blog post. Try it! Double click on the wall, and create a sticky note! <br />
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What tool would you like to enhance collaboration? What would it do? Is there such a tool already created? Dream about the task or project you would like to collaborate on, and do a Google search to see if such a thing exists.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6565722452367580835.post-64086599448797670272013-07-16T14:03:00.000-07:002018-01-12T12:02:49.403-08:00CommunicationWhat is the point?<br />
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Sam and Esther are the Point!<br />
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Gerry Straub was an associate producer of "Luke and Laura's Wedding" on <i>General Hospital</i>. After a conversion experience, he went on to found the San Damiano Foundation, "putting film at the service of the poor". After a hiatus from SDF, he founded a new organization called <a href="http://www.paxetbonumcomm.org/" target="_blank">Pax et Bonum Communications, Inc.</a><br />
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Go figure.... "Communications".<br />
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The challenge for all of us is to use these tools to communicate the Good News, the Story of the Reign of God. We need to do a good job of communicating the Good News so that we all may be transformed. For Sam and Esther's sake. For our sake.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0