Mobile+Devices+and+Ministry+-

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. (Your Name)
 * ======I think it's important to emphasize what is appropriate use and what isn't during class (or during meetings for adults). My pet peeve is people checking their texts instead of paying attention to the teacher or to the person speaking. Mary Miller ======


 * When texting with younger students shortened words or group of words can often be misinterpeted. I would tell my students to be explicit in what they want to say or need but don't tell their life story. People want to know what you need or have to say in short but if it takes too long to read they move on.....Use simple short reply and then move on...i.e. in discussing the weekend you could say something like.... too much homework.... i can use help with the math homework..... this lets others in the class know you need help without infringing on their space....Barbara Eretto
 * As class begins I ask that all cell phones be silenced so that we don't have any interruptions. I also ask the Deaf students
 * to not use their side kicks during class and Mass. I really feel we can't let go of simple manners and ediquette in our digital world.
 * We need to be clear about respecting each other and setting clear guidelines when using cell phones......Diane Clark
 * We need to be clear about respecting each other and setting clear guidelines when using cell phones......Diane Clark


 * The middle school students in the beginning of the school year was given rules regarding the phones. It was allowed as long as it was in silent mode. Showing them how it can be used in our classroom and allowing them to use it in a positive and informative way can enhance their learning skills. Using the phone during class with activities and prayer will allow them to go home and continue the practice. The students will learn these tools and not allow negetive communications to be sent and received. - Rachele Deering


 * You have to be clear about the purpose and expectations. Had a situation while at conference last week. One of the young people with us spent the time during an entire event, maybe it was a Mass, with his cell phone. Not sure what he was doing (he was several seats away from me) so I sent a text to his chaperone who was closer and told her if he is not texting or tweeting about what is going on he needs to put the hone away. - Dale Brown


 * I agree with Dale - if expectations are stated, it makes it easier to follow up. At the beginning of a year is a good opportunity to lay out the expectations for the students in terms of work but also behaviors. It's equally important that your own phone is either on vibrate or shut off; perhaps, deliberately, shutting off the phone at the start of a session would provide the necessary prompt. - Susan Ajoc


 * I agree with Dale and Susan that expectations must be set. They must be clear and understood. I usually have to spend almost a whole week at the beginning of the school year so that my high school juniors not only know my expectations but understand them. I let my students have input into the expectations and goals. the final project is a contract that each student signs and has their parent or legal guardian sign. This lessens any strife that may arise in the future. - Kathleen Kirkpatrick


 * I like your idea Kathleen - giving students input makes it easier to enforce the expectations so there are no "surprises" for them - it makes it a little harder for them to say they didn't know! A little easier idea for Religious Ed folk would be to post them in the classroom and just have the kiddos sign the poster (just thinking about trying to get those signatures back if you only see them once a week.) ~ Ruth Appel


 * Digital Etiquette is an extension of other rules of etiquette, which we have to reinforce and be mindful of every year. We will expect digital devices only be used as part of a learning session, be silenced at all times, and not be used for personal use while in session with the exception of an emergency. We will need to add these to our handbooks. Kevin Hansut


 * I also do not work with children but with adult ministries, website, etc., so this module is the least useful - but you never know! I did get the idea from other comments to maybe put a little one liner in our parish E-Newsor bulletin about using your cell phone to reach out to others by texting a “how are you doing”, “thinking about you”, “praying for you” or a scripture verse. Ginny Nolan


 * We have at times reminded parishioners to mute their electronic devices before mass, but at present we are relying on their memory. We have a policy in our children's R.e. that if a phone is used during class, it will be confiscated by the teacher and returned to the parent after class. Our teens almost died of shock when we made them give the phones up during the retreat, but they survived. so many people have become attached by the hand to their phones that etiquette is sometimes not even followed. Perhaps this needs to be taught in school at any early age. Not everyone has texting capabilities in our adult groups, so though the ideas are great, i don't know if they would be practical. We will have to see with our new offerings this year. Sybil J. Steuart


 * This is a good question that I think has been really well addressed with the comments above. Boundaries are important so I won't repeat that here. Perhaps another important thing to mention is how different typed words are from spoken. I have on a few occasions hurt a recipient's feelings with an email or text because I'm hearing those words with a different tone in my head than the hearer hears in their heads. Be very careful to avoid texting too casually - like, "Praying that you are stronger today than yesterday" might come off critically to the recipient. - Lori Crawford


 * By setting a good example for them. By keeping the rules for using technology clear from day one, including the consequences in case these rules are broken. One great way, to use the mobile device with the teens, would be by creating a group for all the participants in the class, so communication is more effective since most of the teens and young adults do not check emails as frequently as before.- Ana Munoz
 * I agree that it is very important to emphasize time appropriate use of phones during classes, sessions, meetings and other gatherings; kids and adults alike. Beyond this we probably only need to be brief with adults about other etiquette, while we should elaborate quite a bit more with the kids on rules and manners. - sue sharlow
 * I agree that it is very important to emphasize time appropriate use of phones during classes, sessions, meetings and other gatherings; kids and adults alike. Beyond this we probably only need to be brief with adults about other etiquette, while we should elaborate quite a bit more with the kids on rules and manners. - sue sharlow

As an educator, I fought with cell phones for attention. I may be entertaining, but surely my former, at-risk students were more interested in what the kids who managed to skip that day were doing on Facebook or in stirring the pot by text as to who would get jumped in the hallway the during the next class change. I like the idea of having the phones face down on the desk--always in sight, but not in use. Theft comes to mind as a possible issue, but I would certainly hope that it wouldn't come to that in a faith formation setting. I also like the idea of using texting for evangelization--to text a friend, or someone who is absent, or even a parent about the day's learning--before leaving class.--Kelli Bonner


 * 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.

Instead of worrying about them using their cell phone inappropriately during class time.... try using the cell phone within your lesson, make a social contract with students about when, where and how they can use their phones during your class....this way you are taking control of the use of the cellphones and you are not taking them away.....Barbara Eretto

====Remember to select the "Edit" button, and by your name, add your personal reflection. When you are done, be sure to click on "Save." ==== Sherry Foecking Since I am working with the adult women of the Parish, my issues are not so much control as making sure they understand digital ettiquette and how to use some of the features of their phones to do more with communication with other members and outside the group. Now that I have so much good information, I plan to meet with my Guild board (most of whom as smart phone users) and brainstorm some ideas for use with our ladies. I need to demo wikispaces for the board. I think our older members would be quite pleased to be able to use their phones more effectively and the younger ladies who live on their phones would serve as mentors. This could be a bonding of two groups who often do not feel they have much in common.

Janet Mitchell Of all the modules this one is the least useful to me at the present time. I do not work with children, in fact one of my primary ministries is journeying with families as they prepare for the funeral and burial of a family member. This should always be done face to face as a personal touch is most important.

Ruth E Manlandro I think that as I work with my RCIA children I am gong to model more technology using cell phones. There is no internet in the area where I teach so this is the only technology available at this time.

This is hard to say for me. Since I don't work directly with the children and youth as much anymore, I am trying to educate and assist their leader in using technology. - Dale Brown

Amy Acker Mobley- We have always had lots of monitors for our sites, facebook, twitter and more but I have never really touched on the cell phone and tweeting. I plan to have a blessing of the cell phones this year and to do a little talk about etiquette with the teens, my core team and the parents. I don't see us using all of the ideas Amy talked about but I will implement a few.
 * I work with adults in RCIA and would be more comfortable using a mobile device as part of lesson. (Not sure that I would be comfortable working with children and mobile devices because of the potential for contact outside of the classroom by students. I work with children servers but it would not be appropriate to use the phones during the Mass. They know that they should leave their phones with a parent or guardian.) It may be an opportunity for someone to text a prayer intention that they want to express but not out loud. - Susan Ajoc

Mary Jane Spirtk St William, Naples, FL In the past I have had what I saw as a problem with parents in my Family Program secretly and not so secretively using their cell phones during our sessions. I posted signs around the room, "No Phone Zone." Very ineffective. I think this year I am going to openly address the issue and bless the phones and any digital devices people may have, then try to include the phones into our prayer, by having them text a friend with a blessing or prayer. I am also going to discuss with them etiquite regarding their devices. Perhaps having them come up with our policy.

Kathleen Kirkpatrick Holy Family, St Petersburg This module has been very useful to me as I can use immediately in my high school classroom. We are mandated and encourage to incorporate technology into the classroom. I have a lot of work to do to get down all the particulars especially the dos and don'ts. Cell phones have not been previously allowed in the classroom. Therefore, I will need to be very clear how I am going to use them in the classroom. I can't emphasize how important to work with the principal and technology coordinator when incorporating something new especially if if has been traditionally now allowed. Therefore, when I talk to my principal very soon regarding the use of cell phones in the classroom I need to have all my ducks in a row. I feel that experience using technology in the public school system is going to help me tremendously when I begin using technology in church ministries. Karen Heaphy As others have commented, my focus is adult. Phone use during prayer time or sessions has not been an issue. In general if someone has their phone on it is because there is a situation at home that requires monitoring and the adult will leave the room if it is necessary to answer the call. While that may change, at this time everyone seems to be mindful and courteous of others in regards to phone use. It is good to have resources to develop guidelines if needed.

Rachele Deering An issue so critical as the cell phone, the students would learn the do's & dont's of phone etiquette and the reason and benefit of using the phone for upcoming lessons. Reading the book has given me some tools to return back to the coordinator and get guidance on how we can use this in our upcoming year. Once the students see the benefit to this and the see this as part of their lesson plan, they can take this to another level to share with their family

Kevin Hansut I see areas where we will integrate cell phones in our program. I will be sure that we have the parent permission forms offerred by the diocese, as well as the appropriate releases signed at the time of registration. I will also include information on our plans as we hold family meetings this fall.

I have a somewhat poor demographic, so most of my younger kids don't have phones, but I do look forward to "playing" with the older kids who do have phones. I think they will love using them as part of their faith formation. I would not reinvent the wheel and make up my own rules, but rather consult a few different examples, glean the good stuff and add as I see fit. -sue sharlow

Ruth Appel I don't work with the children so this is a non-issue for me with the kiddos but I do like the idea that was posted to have parents take their phones out and have a blessing for them - it may make them more conscious of turning them off during meetings.

<span style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Ann Ferguson <span style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">First of all, we need to establish how many children have phones. We are going to make a survey when Rel Ed classes start again to get a better idea as to who has a phone, which age group etc. Generally speaking, we are thinking of phone usage more with the older students. As for phone etiquette, it is a pet peeve of mine how our youth today who are so accustomed to “texting” will automatically not spell words out. I think they need to learn to discern the difference between cell phone users who abbreviate and those who don’t. In a given project situation this is something that would need to be stipulated at the beginning. Once we have identified the phone population we will be better able to design a project. As a matter of course, all families are asked to turn their cell phones off prior to a Mass, meeting or other group activity. I'm sure the kids will find it exciting to be able to use their phones for something constructive.

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