Wikis+-+Brainstorm+Wiki+Ideas

Assignment #4
Brainstorm Wiki Ideas Expected time to complete: 15 - 30 minutes

Now that you have browsed through examples of wikis in educational settings, we want you to start thinking about how wikis could be used in faith formation settings. It might be helpful if you think of some of the typical topics covered in faith formation __#|classes__, grouped roughly by age category. Perhaps the following topics will stimulate some ideas for wikis. Remember that wikis are used for __interacting and collaborating__ more than presenting facts, doctrines, etc. Choose an age category below. Under the topics listed, post some creative ideas for using wikis with that age group. Your ideas do not have to be related to the topics, just to the age group.

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__Younger Elementary Ages__ How Do I Show Love for Others? How Can I be an Instrument of Peace? The Holy Spirit is My Friend The Church is God's Family

POST IDEAS FOR A WIKI HERE: Ruth Appel - A Catholic Adult Ed Resource Wiki could be utilized for adult faith sharing group use - Q & A's could be posted on the various resources listed (homilies, scripture, related questions, or bible studies, SCC, "Question of the Week", etc.) related to faith sharing, and/or personal enrichment. ** Free ~ 23rd Publications Questions of the Week **

Lori Crawford invite students to post pictures or videos on a theme - "Care for God's Creation" or "Taking care of others" answer questions in a similar format to this blog, i.e. a question of the week such as, "my favorite things to pray for", "how I showed forgiveness this week", or "how can I be a good sport at my sport practice?" sacramental preparation - give an assignment each week asking the students to record their results, i.e. assignment - "take dinner or dessert to a neighbor (bring the love of God to someone else) and record how you felt when you did," or "interview a modern-day saint and ask them to describe their earliest memory of..."

Kevin Hansut - A wiki for parents with the materials covered in class complete with links to the particular program/publisher being used so they can follow along and comment on home progress.

Ana Munoz: kids could post examples of things they do daily that are related to helping others, sharing, using the Holy Spirit Gifts in different areas of their lives. They could share about what they do that is helping them become the best versions of themselves!!! encouraging others to do the same. Some categories could be: Healthy eating, Healthy activities, Morning and Night Prayers, Helping at home, Helping others, Sharing my talents (gifts)... !!!

__ Middle School __

How can you be chaste? What can you do if a friend finds herself pregnant or has fathered a baby? How can you personally, help the poor? How can you communicate with God? How can you get involved in your parish community?

Kevin Hansut - A running set of lesson plans for the cathectists to have and provide feedback and questions for us all to share. suesharlow - An ongoing discussion amoungst the class could address topics such as the following in a non-threatening manner:

Lori Crawford Invite students to find a quote online on a theme, freedom, reconciliation, bullying, sadness or joy, copy and paste the quote with the site they found it. Students collaborate on a "Catholic Volunteer Organizations" site, posting a short summary of the organization and the contact information they found Post a poem you wrote yourself Post a rewrite of the hail mary, our father, glory be Contribute definitions of "catholic" words

Mary M: For catechists: What do you do to promote parental involvement?

Sherry F All God's creatures, great & small. Their purpose in our lives NETS Uses facts to interact creatively

Rachele D. - Why is praying important? Barbara E - How can I contribute to Stewardship using my Time, Talent, Money? Barbara E- For use with catechists for Grades K-3- What works best in yor clasroom? What type of activities do you students thrive on? Dale B. - What is our family'sfavorite prayer (for child and parent) Kelli B-The wiki can be a way to join together in prayer while outside of class.

__ Older Elementary Ages __ Why Do We Go To Mass? How Can We Help the Poor? I am Created in God's Image Everyone in the Church Shares in Christ's Role as Priest, Prophet and King

POST IDEAS FOR A WIKI HERE:

Lori Crawford Contribute answers to: Post a bullying scenario and how you would deal with it.

Mary M How can I share my faith with my friends?

Lynn E. -Students create a collection of Saint info they have learned in class & researched outside of class. -Gr. 4 & 5 make a class vocabulary list with definitions in their own words. -Enable catechists to have a common communication hub for idea, questions, and sharing resources

Sherry F How can I show God's Love in my family? NETS Shering and communicating..one child's idea can __#|spark__ another child

Rachele D. - How can I help the church in becoming better catholics. Barbara E- How can I __#|offer__ service in my area? Dale B. - A Commandment a Day. Exploring the ten commandments and how they are a part of our daily lives... Even when we don't think so.

__ Junior High __ Right to Life of the Unborn Vocations Caring for Creation What Makes a Good Examination of Conscience?

POST IDEAS FOR A WIKI HERE: Lori Crawford What are your favorite Social Media outlets and how can they be used for sharing your faith? Add your suggestions to new 'web 2.0' users as to online etiquette and safety

Amy Acker Mobley- have the idea of a bible __#|study__ and q/a forum like i.e. BIBLE101 or Sacred space where they can share with each other prayer, thoughts, hopes and dreams.

Lynn E. Students create a Stations of the Cross book using their own graphics that can be accessed by younger children. Sherry F. How can we see God in each other? People of various beliefs, cultures as well as our friends and neighbors and siblings NETS Global & cultural awareness as only technology can do it. Creativity in using this info to answer the problem..and perhaps bring up more issues?

Jennifer M. - How does what we do affect the lives of others? (Along the lines of "//What would Jesus do?")// Rachele D. - With the influence of the everyday enviornment, how can I put God and my faith in my decision making? Barbara E- How can I make a difference in my school community? Kevin H - A listing of questions you have but were afraid to ask in a classroom setting - can be done annoymously - it is at this age level many start to question everything. __ Senior High __ Moral Decision-making We are all part of God's Family Discernment as a Spiritual Practice How Will My Confirmation __#|Gifts__ Help Me in Adulthood?

POST IDEAS HERE:

Lori Crawford

Visit the websites for four-five Catholic Colleges and see if you can find some advantages to a Catholic college over a non-religious school View a short film online and record your response write and share a movie review from Jesus'/Mary's perspective

For confirmation I can have them do the packet on wiki's instead of killing trees. also Saintly spaces to share the lives of the saints. Amy Acker Mobley Nice idea, Amy. Can you imagine how being able to see each other's answers and interact would increase their desire to finish the packet! And expand their awareness of saints... unless, of course, almost all the boys pick St. Sebastion, which happened to us one year ;) Peace, Kristi

Sherry F How my faith can help me make the adult decisions in my future? Collaboration as well as information on #|careers, and other choices.

Being Catholic, what do I want in a relationship? -Jennifer M. That would be interesting, Jennifer! Especially for folks already dating, it could help them discuss their wants/goals/values as a couple after participating! Peace, Kristi

Rachele D. - What are my next steps after confirmation? Neat! I wonder if you could have other teens recently confirmed on this too? a sort of witness and mystagogy experience all at once?! Peace, Kristi

Barbara E- How can I remain faithful to my faith and keep my relationships fulfilling?

Kevin H- Now that I am becoming an Adult How do I discern and make decisions? I also second Amy's thoughts on confirmation prep.

Kelli B--Each Gift of the Holy Spirit is its own page in the wiki. Sure! I could see it being a personal reflection on the gifts, or a small group project to prepare for presenting to younger grades! Peace, Kristi

K.M. Kirkpatrick - I know that in my high school classroom I try to encourage critical thinking. For an example I could see posting questions such as the following for discussion and reflection: What are my gifts and talents? How can I use them to help other students in my classes at school? K. Kirkpatrick

__ Adults __ Faith is a Journey How Can I Pass on my Faith to my Children and Grandchildren? Life is Sacred at Every Stage POST IDEAS HERE:

Lori Crawford Add your responses to a wiki "online handbook" for catholic parents, including 'chapters' on discipline, favorite parenting books, prayers, quotes, saints to follow

Eulogio Olivo-Rivera - The infinite multitudes of experiences with a Personal God demands a place to express those internal adventures. These adventures are detailed according to the idiosyncrasy of the partaker. Therefore, this tool can open the union of the acquired knowledge and theexperiential within. Many who read these notes become amazed with this encounter, and many times ask themselves, how can you get there? Nothing can begin a process of enlightment in Christ, unless there is a real conversion. A tool that can expose the value of our humanity and dignity, given by God Himself; plus the moment of Grace, when God Himself helps us become aware of this blessing, is a tool worthy of usage. This is how saints are made in the "Digital Continent."

Mary M - A book club for the homebound; prayer request line; our parish nurse ministry could post info for seniors (whom more and more of are becoming computer savvy) and they could request info on topics of concern; so many times we'd like to take a parish survey on a particular issue - this wouldn't hit everyone but it could be targeted to a specific "key" group to get their insights.

Amy Acker Mobley- for core team meetings and parent forums like: when we have a lifenight we can coordinate items we need through the wiki or for our Financial Peace group we can have a wiki devoted to helpful ideas and websites for families to use - the uses are limitless.

Sherry F How _(ministry) can reach our community more effectively. Literature or articles to help us live God-centered lives What can I do at my stage of life to help others (who and what). How can I spread the Gospel within my sphere of influence..what can I do here and now! NETS A digital companionship, perhaps at a time of life, when reachout is needed. As digital immedgrants, learning new things keeps older adults up to date and alert. So important to minister to ALL. No matter the age. That would be a whole ministry unto itself! Amy

Jennifer M. - we could reach out to our Parents-for-LifeTeen group and collaborate on ideas for their nights, and then also use wikis to expand upon our topics such as "Prom Night", "Teens and dating", etc.

Karen Heaphy - for a committee where the members may have schedule conflicts, there is always an opportunity to share your ideas with others and receive feedback in a timely manner. This can help to move projects along and keep ideas fresh.

Susan Ajoc - for RCIA Team members, wikis can be an opportunity to prepare for team teaching but also ideas for dismissal discussions. Due to life, the team doesn't usually see each other every week and wikis would be an opportunity to check in with each other but also coordinate and share ideas on upcoming topics which would meet the NETS standards of group expression. We could then provide an opportunity for feedback from the candidates and catechumen after each topic and perhaps then develop a new way to present the information to keep it "fresh" every year. So true, especially for RCIA teams that rotate catechists. Peace, Kristi

Kevin H- Where am I on my Road to Emmaus - Catholic 101 for those coming back to the Faith and finally just how do I get involed in this Parish - What a wonderful place to present a list of all the opportunities in a Parish - complet with witness statements of the benefits of belong to each ministry - sure would be easier to update than those webpages

Barbara E- What spiritual opportunities would interest you. How often would you wish to meet? What topics would you wish to learn more about? Great idea...keeps the volume of emails down and no one can say...I didn't get that e-mail!! Amy

Ruth E- Wiki can be a great collaboration tool for RCIA team members as well as students.This is an opportunity for discussions outside of class as well as organization of team members. This would be a great way of communication between team meetings and less email with better communication.

Mary Jane Spirk - for catechist formation, instead of having everyone come to class, they can complete various modules on line in their own time. Hmm, Into the Fields online? What a great way to supplement in person meetings - perhaps by following this model (one or two meetings to form community, then online work). Peace, Kristi

Janet Mitchell- as part of the RCIA team in my parish I can certainly see where brainstorming through wiki would be helpful rather than weekly meetings for team members, it would be a way to share reactions concerning those going through the process and also help to fill in the blanks of what we are sharing concerning the faith. What a wonderful way to continue building the RCIA community. Amy

Sybil J. Steuart - Would be great for Bible Study for out of season gatherings - We could post the comments here and those up north could add their comments as well. We lose so many participants in April who don't return until Nov. or Jan. Wouldn't it be great to keep the study "full"of participants for most of the year! What a great idea...having those up north who aren't able to be at Bible study the whole time in person still be able to participate and not miss a beat upon their return to Fl. Amy

SJS -Would also be great for a Mercy group of those who are not close geographically to "meet" and share spirituality, prayer and learning. Have not been able to attend a Mercy Associate meeting since moving to Fl - the closest is in the northern part of the state. This could be the answer to start a social networking group who don't have to have a webcam or speaker capabilities and can __meet__ at their leisure. Both of the above would fit Standards 1 and 2.

Dale B. - for bible sharing and small group sharing. Agree with all already stated. Also opportunity to connect young adult on related to some particular topic.

Referring to the NETS standards, I am particularly in favor of the idea of sharing cultural awareness and experiences. As an African American who experiences that cultural expression in the Mass weekly, I think it is great to have everyone,not just young people understand and accept why there may be different customs that occur within our various Masss (Hispanic, Asian, Caribbean, African, etc) and that it is all within the context of our Catholic faith, and it is okay. Hence, the name of my wiki... Black and Catholic. Dale

Ginny Nolan - I could see this being very useful for our finance committee, parish council, liturgy committe and, especially, RCIA. We have a web/social media, but am thinking of expanding and creating a tech ministry (borrowing someone's suggestion) that could include other areas of media technology.

Ana Munoz: Great tool for Catechists to share ideas for planning purposes by grade/special days/group activities ....!

Ann Ferguson - for office applications I've already been using Wikis to share and collaborate with the business manager and committees. I can also see it's benefit for the adult faith formation groups to have them become more excited and engaged in their journey. As they go through the Catechism, oh perhaps having them post relating Bible text to support doctrine, or it could help to stimulate discussion before coming to class so they would be better involved during the time when they are face to face, even helping to "break the ice" if they are otherwise shy or unwilling to do much in the way of discussion. The first thing I thought of with a Wiki was for the confirmation students who are already used to doing this type of work online and applying it to learning about the saints before they select their saint. It could make the process more meaningful and for those who need encouragement, seeing their peers' input could prove beneficial.