Caroline+Wiki+Assignment+2

Assignment #2
Expected time to complete this assignment: 30 minutes

Read the entire statement from the USCCB Communications Committee report to the 2011 Fall General Assembly. It's not very long.

Social media: Friend or Foe, Google or Hornswoggle? []

While you are reading, be aware of words of phrases that might apply to our topic of wikis. Now post a short reflection about what impressed you the most in the USCCB statement. If you would like to reference or other Church documents or statements, please do. If you can create a hyperlink to the document, even better!

Example: I was impressed that the bishops recognize the evangelization opportunity created by social media. That could apply to wikis, too. If wikis allow ANYONE to contribute, maybe I could set up a wiki for two Catholic schools to collaborate in a project. I think my junior high students might enjoy that. I have been searching for a project where they can articulate their faith in a new way. -posted by Claudia


 * POST YOUR REFLECTIONS ON YOUR COACH'S PAGE. **

Example: It is really wonderful to see that the Bishops are seeing the value in using digital media. I think there is a lot of values in using all the social media tools and I feel that we just need to find what works best in our churches seating and start enhancing our ideas and sharing more. Susan Noble

Susan, it would be good if many more of our Bishops were more savvy with technology, in general!

While you are reading, be aware of words of phrases that might apply to our topic of wikis. Now post a short reflection about what impressed you the most in the USCCB statement. If you would like to reference or other Church documents or statements, please do. If you can create a hyperlink to the document, even better!

It is interesting that the Bishops see Social Media as a paradigm shift and a valuable tool in reaching people, bringing them into the Church conversation. The comment that if the Church isn't on someone's mobile device, the Church does not exist is compelling, implying that parishes ought to have apps that provide quick and easy information such as Mass times and upcoming events. Creating a strategic plan that allows for the time needed to develop and post information in digital formats while maintaining traditional means of communication for the "legacy" crowd requires everyone on staff to get on board. Yesterday I watched a webinar on myUSCCB (sorry ...you have to subscribe to access, but I highly recommend the site) on New Evangelization that referenced the use of digital media repeatedly. If New Evangelization is targeting those who are Catholic but do not participate, then social media plays an integral role in making Church relevant. posted by Mary Pat Storms

Mary Pat, I'm delighted to hear that you have access to the USCCB web service. It looks like this is going to be a wonderful resource.

What impressed me the most is that the Bishops recognize social media as __necessary__ and urge its use in ministry, yet acknowledge that there are no clear-cut guidelines on how to use social media effectively. This really points to a collaborative effort, a la the wiki; this is one way to share best demonstrated practices. Chris Simons

This article was eyeopening for me. I am one of those coming into social media kicking and screaming. The bishop clearly pointed out why the Church, and that's you and me, need to learn the new culture created by social media. I was so impressed with the article that I shared it with my pastor. One of the Bishop's comments that particularly struck me was "If the Church is not on their mobile device, it doesn't exist." This lesson came home to me the day after reading the article when some Hispanic ministers were explaining that Hispanics will own a cell phone before they own a car, a house or a computer. That meant the way we needed to communicate with them had to adapt. Sending emails was not going to be an effective means of communication with this group or the millennial generation. When I shared this with the business manager she said we may need to consider new ways of communicating with the parish besides email blasts. The bishop's comment about the more egalitarian outlook of this new culture applied to the importance of using wikis and other collaborative forms of social media because it demonstrated that this new culture is collaborative by nature and desires to share thoughts and plan projects together. While not currently using a wiki, I am using Google Drive to plan for an upcoming deanery wide event. By sharing the document with others (who can edit or view the document) we can plan the event with multiple parishes thus saving people the cost of time and travel to my parish for a meeting. This article also inspired me to get it clear in my head the difference between Wikis, blogs and docs. To see a chart on the differences go to http://blogswikisdocs.wikispaces.com/

I am glad the bishops see the value of social media as a means to engage young people on their terms. Understanding that social media is a useful tool for all ages,particularly under the age of 40, it absolutely is the first point of reference! To me, the most sobering statement is "if the church is not on their mobile devices, it doesn't exist." With that in mind we (churches, youth ministers, R.E. Departments) need to have a presence in one or several social mediums. Facebook and Twitter are the easiest way to make instant contact with a broad base. The Wiki, on the other hand, takes that initial contact to a deeper level by providing an interactive discussion forum. It is a great way to learn about and share our faith. Challenges do arise in the freedom for all to voice any thought or opinion. It leaves us vulnerable to misinformation and misinterpretation. That challenges us as administrators to be careful how we use his media, particularly with youth. I'm still trying to figure out how I can use a wiki with my middle school youth, but I can definitely see a possibility with my catechists. Looking forward to seeing how,that will work! -Anne Renkes


 * From Staci Stroud **: These are words and phrases which stood out for me,,,
 * //Social media is proving itself to be a force with which to be reckoned//. "You snooze, you lose" comes to mind. Things are happening so quickly that it seems exponential. We need to keep up.
 * More and more people (in the pews on up through the ranks) are recognizing, for the most part, the importance of social media in today's world.
 * I agree with Anne Renkes above - another key phrase is "If the Church is not on their mobile device, it doesn't exist." Again and again I hear that we need to meet people where they are at. Because of the varied ages and preferred method of communication (some still rely on and prefer newspapers, etc.) we need to do it all. No pressure!
 * I have used Google Drive for some things in the parish (planning and executing a luncheon for 800 attendees as well as our Auction) and find that collaboration is key on these things. A wiki would truly be a great vehicle in this arena.

Key words and phrases that resonated with me... > "the Church cannot abandon legacy communication outlets while it invests in the new media." ... "Those media have attributes and strengths that social media does not." I just completed part 1 of a 100 hour formation course in Level I of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Montessori-based religious education. The contrast to what we are doing in this DDBC were amazing and have given me so much more to think about. **Examples**:
 * "If the Church is not on their mobile device, it doesn't exist." Yes, I can see this (TO A POINT) in my own young adult children, as well as the youth in our parish, but not totally. Their connections to Church have also been imbedded in them as a result of their past and ongoing formation. I do see social media as a way of drawing the interest of youth, but we need to use the tools (such as a dynamic, interactive Wiki) to keep their interest and possibly assist in enhancing their formation.
 * in the Good Shepherd atrium (learning environment) brass-polishing is an activity that children perform as part of their work in the "practical life" area. The children learn to use a liquid brass cleaner, polishing cloth, drying cloth, and wet sponge for clean up, as was done when Maria Montessori first introduced her method of religious formation over 60 years ago. It is a slow, deliberate process that requires the child to spend time reflecting upon their work as they are doing it. Today, we might just use a store-bought prepared brass polishing cloth to polish a piece of brass in seconds, because we are focused on the end result... a shiny brass object. In the atrium, the children polish the item for the joy they receive in **//doing the work,//** not in the end result.
 * Hand-washing in the atrium is also a slow, deliberate process which involves the use of a bar of soap, a basin of water, a nail brush and a hand towel for drying. Each finger is washed individually and thoroughly, and examined throughout the process which takes several minutes to complete. No use of liquid soap or air hand dryers that are common today. The purpose is not so much in the end result, but the focus on the task of washing the hands that perform their work, and its importance to them. It is a beautiful thing to see!
 * Yes, we need to use new technology and social media tools to keep up to date with the communities we serve, but we also need to preserve the traditional, methods of communication because of their strengths in offering a level of comfort to the user, as well as keeping alive the traditions which can produce much joy. - Cindy McFadden

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