JVL gaming system, originally uploaded by jcisonline.

Just check out this thing!

I couldn’t believe it when I read it and I can’t believe it now. I know I won’t pay this much for a gaming system anytime soon and honestly I think they are trying to create faux luxury with this thing, but do you think gaming could become a luxury item anytime soon? As a gamer I sure hope not.

munny speakers, originally uploaded by fungus amungus.

I’ve had this on my mind for awhile now and just wanted to compose my thoughts a little bit before I threw it out there.

So here we go…

Obviously our world is changing. Our culture is changing. Technology is making alot of things easier and yet it’s making others difficult. Kids and students are not as interested in being sponges any more. They watch television on average 7 hours less than their parents during the week. Now when you combine other media they consume like video games, online connection, and music then those totals are crazy unbalanced in the favor of kids but overwhlemingly kids and teens see television as white noise. They don’t feel changed or grow because of what they see on the tube.

Also because of technology, the way kids and students learn is changing. Lecture based learning is still in place today even though those educational models were created in the 1950s! They read on a screen rather than a page and read short blips rather than long novels. Some studies suggest that this has dramatically affected their attention span. But here is my question really based on a few thoughts.

First you can see some things are changing. Tony Morgan posted a survey wanting to know if people read or listen to books. Not only that but John Piper put his umm… err… not so favorable thoughts on using “video and drama stuff” in your sermons.

But if kids and students minds and brains are changing to learn in new ways… where will the 25-35 minute message go? Where will the sermon/message/preaching time go?

Not really a knock on anyone but are we prepared for this next generation to hear the message of God? What’s next?

What are your thoughts? Will the sermon die?

I am reading this book right now and it’s just downright awesome. You should most definitely check it out!

Here’s the site if you want some more info! chasethelion.com

Pattern Wall, originally uploaded by jcisonline.

I haven’t highlighted enough resources lately and here is one that I think is incredible. Patternwall.com is an awesome site where you can download more than 150 wallpaper textures to use in your design work. With my limited range of Photoshop skills, this site is a must for me because it makes it pretty easy to give your work some depth and then allows you to use blend modes to work with color.

It’s fun and I love going here and picking out some textures to use for anything that I need to design.

You should check em out!

8 Traits of Digital Kids, originally uploaded by jcisonline.

Speed. Easy to comprehend, tough to understand how we can apply this in a classroom or small group setting.

Speed is as simple as it appears. Digital KiDs don’t deal with slow. Heck they don’t even remember dial-up internet. I do, it was so awesome at the time and now “hi-speed internet” has become regular internet.

Digital KiDs won’t settle on long waits. If they email a company with a concern they expect quick feedback. They don’t desire it or really wish it would happen they EXPECT it to happen. Every instant message should draw an instant response. They multitask at an incredible level.

“They can consume 8.5 hrs or e-media in 6 hours time!”

So What can we do about it?

Again tough to implement. Let’s start with an easy one. Instant feedback. If they have a question let them hear your feedback instantly. Let them see that you care about their questions. Guess what that might mean that you go off on a tangent to answer their questions in large group… eek!

Allow them to multitask. This one will be much harder for you than it is for them. Let them play a game while you are reviewing the lesson, or bring their toys to class while they participate in a Q & A session. It’s a culture thing. Give them the groundrules that it’s cool to multitask as long as you hold up your responsibility of participating in class. That DS that you would normally outlaw from the classroom could be the tool that allows them to let their guard down in the classroom and become more involved because of a new sense of trust.

What ways do you think you can implement this trait of Speed that Digital KiDs desire?