In the Fall of 2022 and Spring of 2023, Rotation.org's "Coffee Chat" Zoom Seminars featured a two-part discussion. Below are their descriptions and links to their edited recordings!

Part 1: How and Why to Teach with Software/Tech

Part 1's discussion highlights the experience and setup of several churches who use software and tech as part of their Sunday School program. See it below or go to: https://youtu.be/WNrVArIy2XQ

Part 2: "Show Me the Software!" 

Part 2 features an onscreen tour of ten favorite software programs and apps. See it below or go to: https://youtu.be/sMh8VD_Q_KE

View more great videos on Rotation.org's YouTube channel.

See our upcoming Coffee Chat Seminars

PART 1: The "Why" and "How to"

https://youtu.be/WNrVArIy2XQ
Look below for Part 1's agenda and links mentioned in the recording.

Part 2: "Show Me the Software"

https://youtu.be/sMh8VD_Q_KE
Software featured in the video can be found through our software/tech menu

Part 1's Agenda and Links

This is the agenda that the video recording follows.

• Welcome and introductions - Amy
• Opening prayer - Luanne
• Poll Questions - Amy
     --Participants answered several pre-meeting poll questions which were then addressed in the presentation.
  
  
• A brief history of where we have been and currently are with "software and apps in Sunday School,"  - Neil
  
  
• The most important thing to know:  we teach with these tools, we don't stand back and watch. "Guide by the side." - Neil
  
  
• Three strategies for using Bible software/apps with kids - Neil and Ron
  
  
  1. Regular inclusion of computers/tablets as part of your Rotation or classroom activities, aka "a Computer Workshop" ("lab") or occasional use of computers in the classroom—when software fits your story.  Software/apps as a component of a lesson plan.
     
     
  2. Supplemental/occasional use of software in some lessons—using part of all of a program or app. Using scripture memory software. Creating fun "lesson review" events where students use certain activities from certain programs.
     
     
  3. Home Use and Other Uses (Neil and participant contributions).
     How to encourage home use, faith formation, etc.  This was addressed toward the end of the seminar.
     
     
• Links to "how to" resources—a brief mention
  -Lesson Plan Strategies for Teaching with Software and with Apps.
  -Brief Getting Started Article -A teacher training pamphlet—Neil's 2018 Manual on setting up and teaching with software
  
  
• Neil kicks off a survey of recommended PC software and tablet apps for use with kids. Your recommendations, questions, and experience can be shared.
  
  
• How Ron has and is using software in his Sunday Schools.
  
  
• "Other Tech" - Neil and others
  1. Connecting your phone or tablet to a big screen with a cord
  2. Online Sunday School ideas and helps at Rotation.org
  3. Including "at-home" students with in-class participants ("hybrid")
  4. A reminder that "YouTube" is a tech subject right now. How to connect to it in your classroom.
  5. Neil mentions Bible apps for adults that he uses.
  6. Ron mentions now out of print Ilumina Bible software and apps he likes, including Kid Pix 3D.
• Where to get tech/computer/tablet teaching and resource help and lesson ideas (our Computer Workshop forum and Bible lesson forums).
  
  

  --Computer Workshop Setup Help, Lesson Help, Teacher Training, Teacher Helps

• Last chance questions/comments/sharing/experience.
  --Comments about "Hybrid" or "Online" Sunday School--Here's the link to the church's video montage mentioned in the seminar that Neil couldn't remember: "A Look Back at Our Online Sunday School"--More tech resources for working with children
  
  
• Close with prayer - Robin
  
  
• Extended time -15 minutes, for those who want to stick around to share/ask. A pastor asks about how to get parents and their kids use Bible software and apps.
  
  

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