Claire+McManus+Essay

=Claire McManus Essay=

Claire M. McManus Capstone Project Essay August 1, 2014
 * **"Write a 500 word essay summarizing your DDBC experience and how you plan to apply what you learned to your ministry. Demonstrate how you have applied your understanding of ISTE's National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers (NETS/T) and applied them to a faith learning environment. Include reference to relevant research about technology and learning, especially as applied to faith settings, if appropriate." ** ||

Although I am a digital immigrant, it became clear to me that if I don’t learn how to utilize the latest Web 2.0 tools available I will not be able to serve my constituents. I came to know the work of Sr. Caroline Cerveny, SSJ through the NCCL, and placed the Digital Discipleship Boot Camp on the radar screen of our regional organization, the New England Conference of Diocesan Directors of Religious Education (NECDDRE.) I had three goals going into the DDBC: learn to adapt Web 2.0 tools; report on the experience to the NECDDRE; and inspire our PCLs to become more proficient with technology. The schedule of the webinars worked very well for me, and the tools introduced spanned a broad spectrum from those I found very familiar to others that I knew little about. I soon learned that participants also spanned the spectrum of knowledge, but each on their own wavelength. This is a key feature of the DDBC since it is designed as a non-threatening introduction to those who have some or no knowledge of Web 2.0 tools. The labs and assignments allowed ample opportunity to use the tools, rather than just learn of their existence. The Capstone Project that I developed was designed to cross the boundaries of time constraint and cost by offering a formation experience to catechists that can be accessed on their own time. The purpose of the project was to experiment with an on-line platform so that a future formation process can be developed. Some of the tools that I used to develop this site were not part of the DDBC modules, but were suggested to me when I proposed the project. The learning environment of the DDBC gave me the basic structural concept, but I chose a very simple platform to build the site to make it easier for the participants. I created a Weebly, a Web 2.0 tool that combines website and blog features into one site. I integrated such features as Google Forms to register the participants, and later to collect their evaluations. The Capstone Project met the ISTE criteria for Administrators and Teachers. I “inspired a vision for comprehensive integration of technology,” and “promoted the frequent an effective use of technology for learning” (Admin 1and 2.b) The Weebly created for catechists helped to “design a relevant learning experience incorporating digital tools (Teachers 2a);”collaborated with students and community members using digital tools” (Teachers 3b); and “communicated relevant information and ideas effectively to students using a variety of digital age media.” (Teachers 3c) My goal of learning to utilize new Web 2.0 tools was easily met, as was reporting to my colleagues in the NECDDRE. My goal to inspire PCLs was exceeded when my Capstone Project was met with such great enthusiasm, inspiring several people to ask for the link to the DDBC. One unanticipated result was my new connection with the 40 catechists that piloted my project. This alone shines a light on the value of this experience.