Digital Kids Initiative…

I can’t say enough about CPYU and their new Digital Kids Initiative.  They were the first to express to me that our generation is the digital pioneers while our students are digital natives.  They have grown up in a world of cellphones, Facebook, Facebook on cellphones, iPods, iPads, instant answers and instant gratification.  CPYU points out that none of these things are inherently bad but we are slowly learning the cost that these things are having on our students and our way of life.

Questions are arising about what is healthy, how much technology is too much, and how do I balance the technology without creating cyborg for a kid?

CPYU launched this new site called the Digital Kids Initiative to help parents navigate this new world with their students.

Here is the link to the Digital Kids handout page.  Digital Kids Initiative Handouts.  These handouts cover things such as…

TEXT ACRONYMS- what is my kid trying to communicate and why can’t they spell?

PRIMER ON SOCIAL NETWORKING-what the advantages and dangers os social networking?  there are strategies for parenting in midst of social networking and tons of information

PRIMER ON ELECTRONIC ADDICTION-this is a really important handout as you consider opening up your child to technology and everything that goes with it.

PARENTS GUIDE TO SEXTING-I believe every parent says this will never by my student yet this is a growing trend in problem in every strata of student.  So, how can we be on guard and be ready to address this issue with our student.

This site will be growing as more and more research is compiled so please check back or bookmark the site because you find the information useful and timely!

Parenting with Grace & Truth…

Hey Parents,

I realize it’s been awhile and i’m trying to get back into the discipline of posting on a regular basis both here and on the various other sites we have been developing.  I came across this little 4 minute video that made me think so I thought I would pass it on.

By the way, this gentlemen is our confirmed speaker at Velocity this year!  I’m psyched to have my friend Noel at Velocity this year June 25-30th.  Hopefully, your students can join us…

Middle School | This American Life

I finally got around to giving this a listen.  It was really good.  If you want to get a peek into the world of the Middle Schooler then I highly recommend either listening to this on your computer or downloading it to your portable player.  it was worth your time.

Middle School | This American Life.

Six Ways to Be a Media-Savvy Parent in 2012 | Common Sense Media

I am not against the internet and all of its features and opportunities. I am against letting students go completely unchecked when it comes to media.  I’ve been reading a number of books about brain development in students (more on that later) and one of the biggest things that has hit me lately is not what I’m teaching students but am I teaching them to think as well.  Please don’t hear that content doesn’t matter or that there should never be times when parents say, ‘because i said so’ but the long term goals for each of us that interact with students should be am I teaching them to think and process on their own.  In the faith community we want that to be through the lens of Jesus Christ so we constantly should be evaluating and helping students process life, media, and anything web based with goal of raising independent Christ centered thinkers.

here is an article with some ideas on how to be a ‘media savvy’ parent.  feel free to comment (above in the little bubble in the right top corner of this post)to keep  the conversation going.

Six Ways to Be a Media-Savvy Parent in 2012 | Common Sense Media.

4 Minutes on “Reading the Bible”

It’s a new year and I think we all have the goal of reading the bible and learning more about God. We also have the goal of seeing our students learn more about God as well. Here is the problem, we simply commit and we do good for bit then we just stop. Students are the same way because we tell them to read the bible and then leave them to it. why are we surprised when our students struggle with a 2,000 year old book and instead find time to watching Miley Cyrus.

This a great video from a pastor friend of mine and more importantly he has some great resources for bible reading at www.bible.justnoel.com. The resources he lists include some traditional reading plans but also some free electronic resources from his church, Riverview, and also online resources (aka Apps). These apps can be used on the computer, their phones but also on their iPod touch as well. Watch the video with your student(s) and then talk about a reading plan or app that can help them in daily walk with God. Give them resources but have them be a part of the process. Follow up with them. Its even better if you do the plan together.

Remember the key strategies Noel lists out…

1.Find a plan that works for you.  have the conversation with your student. let them take some ownership of finding the right plan for them don’t just throw a devotional at them.

2.Work the plan that you found. make sure you know the plan, devotional, or app they are using. check on them. ask them to tell others. I would love to hear about it.

3. Don’t freak out. have realistic expectations. more importantly, help them get back on the horse. everyone struggles with bible reading from time to time. make sure they know that. we are developing a faith for the long run. sprints don’t matter if they can’t finish the race.have a great start to the New Year.

4 Minutes on “Reading the Bible”, posted with vodpod

McSweeney’s Internet Tendency: List: Phobias of the Modern Teen.

I came across this list about the new ‘phobias’ teens face.  Its meant to be funny but I think there is some truth to what they are saying.

It seems some what ridiculous but as we watch our students and their association to technology these may become actual phobias.

How do we balance a technological world with healthy upbringing?  These are questions I have been considering because in the world we live today it is unrealistic to completely cut students off from technology.  There is a trend among universities, high schools, and even middle schools to start distributing iPads to replace textbooks and eliminate lockers for safety issues.  Here is one example from us news.  I have been thinking through the idea our use of technology in Youth Group.  Am i helping the furthering of the gospel or are my means creating more of problem?   It’s an important question that I remained undecided on.  Consider your own use of technology with your son or daughter.  This is something we may end up doing a parent seminar or discussion on in the near future so heads up!

McSweeney’s Internet Tendency: List: Phobias of the Modern Teen..

What is success in parenting teens?

Interesting article that discusses parenting from a behavior point of view and a heart point of view.

What is success in parenting teens?.

Digital Code of Conduct…

He called the online world the Wild Wild West.  Walt Mueller is a personal hero of mine and he always seems to be one step ahead of the curve.  Mueller who runs a website called Center for Parent & Youth Understanding (cpyu) was referring to the digital the world students inhabit in any number of ways.  He called those of us who saw the dawn of the internet age ‘Digital Explorers’ but he called today’s kids ‘Digital Natives’.  Even though the internet has been around for years now we are still no where near regulating it or controlling it.  I want begin the discussion of what control looks like,  if control is a good idea, or even possible at this stage of the game.  Mueller calls this a reality but what do we with our students when much of their world is online for their benefit and possibly to their detriment.

How can we create healthy discussion?

How can we set ground rules up to keep students safe?

How can we keep our credit cards from being nickeled and dimed with charges that involve the word ‘app’?

There are no easy answers and it’s obviously up to the family itself to figure out the best time to open up the pandora’s box known as the web.  Mueller is working on something he is tentatively calling the ‘Digital Kids Initiative’ and the first thing he has released is a digital code of conduct.

Since we are attempting another Student Ministries website (again) and presumably your students may be using the computer to keep up to date with the latest happenings with the EBC Youth Ministry it might be a good idea to have some ground rules.

One of the goals of this page is to help the parent with information regarding culture, trends, and also helpful things to promote discussion in the family.

Take a look at the ‘Digital Code of Conduct’ pdf.  Feel free to download this free resource or adapt to fit your family needs.

Digital Code of Conduct

Coming Soon…

We will have this up and running soon