Using Tech to Create Connections, Part 2—
Connecting Student and Content
Jesus effectively used visuals as tools to connect his students to his lesson content. Turns out, he was using classroom technology long before there were screens and Wi-Fi enabled devices. Today, modern classroom technology gives us the ability to communicate the gospel with visuals and words in ways like never before. So how can we use the tech tools available to us today to better connect our students to God’s eternal, life-giving content?
 
In the second article of this series, Pastor Paul Waldschmidt helps us see the benefits from using video to deliver content that allows us to engage the learner with both words and carefully selected, impactful visuals. In the age of YouTube tutorials, video is a natural learning medium for people of all ages.




Pastor Paul Waldschmidt, a 1999 Seminary graduate, served for 13 years at St. Mark in Normal, Illinois, before coming to Peace in Hartford, Wisconsin, in 2012. He has served the church-at-large as chairman of the Western Wisconsin District Commission on Adult Discipleship and as a circuit pastor in both the Western Wisconsin and Southeastern Wisconsin Districts. He recently earned an STM in Education with a focus on using technology in Christian Education and, Lord willing, is starting coursework for an M.S. in Educational Administration (Technology Director) this fall.
They never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah. — Acts 5:42
Adult Education: Additum
Flipped Classroom for Bible Study


To offer an alternative style of Bible study, why not try a flipped classroom approach? The University of Michigan’s Center for Research on Learning and Teaching has some useful material on what a flipped classroom is like and what techniques can be used with the flipped classroom. Videos can be one tool in the flipped classroom to connect students to content ahead of time. Although written for college educators, a Bible study leader can glean from these resources about flipping a classroom. Haven’t tried the flipped classroom for a Bible study or a book study? It can be worth a try.
Teaching Toolbox
Google Updates and Simplifies Finding Creative Commons Licensed Images

We use images in our PowerPoints and on handouts as another way to connect learners with the content. Wanting to follow copyright laws, it’s good to know where we can find images that are public domain or have a Creative Common license. Richard Byrne shows how Google searches can help with that.


Curriculum Connection

The visual tool of symbols used throughout the Bible has the potential to be misunderstood and misinterpreted. Joel Seifert’s Bible Symbols study establishes good principles for interpreting those symbols. Each of the nine lessons also has a “During the Week” section to put into practice or go deeper into the lesson. The study’s connection to the book God’s Imagery: Interpreting Scripture's Symbols, Parables, and Word Pictures (also by Joel Seifert) can make it an easy way to try a flipped classroom. See the Additum section about flipped classrooms.




Teaching Tip

Regarding the flipped classroom: Reviewing materials beforehand and turning a lecture into an interactive working session yields statistically significant improvements in engagement, test scores, and overall long-term learning.

– Vanderbilt University Center for Teaching
 Teach the Word is a collaboration of Northwestern Publishing House,
Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, and WELS Discipleship.