This week I attended the National Catholic Education Association hosted in downtown Minneapolis. This year’s theme is Leadership- Direction- Service, and how we, in our current positions as teachers, priests, or administrators should continue promoting this theme.
Impressions:
I arrived at this beautiful city and was impressed with its environmentally, eco- friendly, well-kept surroundings. Not to mention, VERY trustworthy. From the airport, I took a tram to the light rail, equivalent to our subway system. After paying for my train ticket, there was no one to redeem it. I later found out that Minneapolis’ train system doesn’t require collecting tickets – only purchasing them. They will let you pay and validate your own ticket and ride the train. Police officers occasionally will ask to see your ticket and fines will follow if you do not have one.
Right away, I thought “how trustworthy can you be? “… and how this paying method will NEVER work in New York City.
I transferred for the bus that left me right in front of the hotel. Their bus system runs on very narrow streets, with plenty of security and police presence.
Downtown Minneapolis boasted high-end retail stores with a very trendy modern look, great restaurants, as well as some historical landmark buildings and churches like the National Shrine of St. Paul Cathedral and The Basilica of St. Mary, the nation’s first Basilica. Minneapolis was a throwback of the old and the new in one.
Day 1:
I started my morning by attending Mass and the opening liturgy. The convention keynote speaker was Father James Martin, S.J., an author who uses laughter as the key to a better spiritual life. His speech was incredibly funny, uplifting, and very inspiring. His focus was on the different vocations of life. He reminded all of us not to take life so seriously, and have fun living God’s proclamation..
The opening ceremony featured The Most Reverend John C. Nienstedt, Archbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. During the homily, St. Paul was quoted and we were reminded that his words serve as a reflection of today’s society. “ I hand on to you what I received,” which is what we continue to do within our faith and ministry as Catholic teachers, and that is… evangelizing. To top off this panel of great speakers, there was a pianist, a guitarist, and a chorus of Catholic school students to make it an uplifting start to my day.
Sessions
The first session I attended was from Tim Welch, a High School teacher who uses technology everyday to engage his students. He shared with us different catechetical media methods from oral traditions to pod casting proclamations, leading up to the technological tools of today… and perhaps beyond.
He showed us the latest technology and its practical use, and how to engage the learner through technology. His methods were realistic to the classroom. He felt that you must use conversion, get the students’ attention first, then teach – this is when evangelization begins. He felt that storytelling (orality) leads to proclamation and allows others to proclaim.
He believed in telling stories through sounds, rhythms, rhymes, and vibrant colors. Most of his presentations were on PowerPoint. He got all of us students involved.
Using manipulatives in the classroom has historically worked. Now, using current media as a teaching tool – will lead students into today’s fast-paced media world. For our teachers, using Discovery Education Streaming is a great example of his “conversion” technique. Teaching the learner through one of their many “catchy” streaming videos is a great eye opener and great warm-up, sure to keep your students engaged.
The point of the session was to find a creative way to get your students’ attention prior to teaching and the best way to do this – is through media.
This is a link to some of his online resources and digital storytelling tools:
Did anyone attend the NCEA? What were your thoughts?
What are your thoughts on conversion as Tim Welch describes it?
How do you get your class’ attention?
Have you ever engaged/inspired your students using media? What kind of media did you use?
I would love to hear from you and some of your thoughts and ideas pertaining to this topic.
