A previous post suggested that Bible teachers might need to make improvements in how they teach to effectively use low tech methodology in a high-tech world. These tips and training resources for choosing and using teaching methods provide a starting point.
Tips for Using Low Tech Teaching Methods in a High-Tech World
1. Skillfully use whatever methodology you employ.
In a high-tech world, people have grown accustomed to high productive quality. Perhaps your church can’t afford a lot of this kind of technology. Teachers can, however, teach with excellence in whatever methodology they use which will go a long way with today’s students.
Teacher Training Resource: Tips for Choosing & Using Methods Worksheet
2. Employ a variety of methods.
In a high-tech world, people have grown accustomed to rapid, ever-changing productions. Teachers might not be able to provide a high-tech presentation, but they can add lots of variety in the way they teach. The resource listed below gives tips for using 57 different methods and within many of those ideas are variations. The Tips for Choosing & Using Methods Worksheet listed above provides basic definitions for the 57 methods but the Sharpening Your Bible Teaching Methods gets more detailed about how to skillfully use these methods. Bible teachers have little excuse to stick with the same method once presented with the possibilities.
Teacher Training Resource: Sharpening Your Bible Teaching Methods Resource
3. Be creative in exercising even common methodology.
In a high-tech world, people have grown accustomed to innovation and expanding of their imaginations. While Bible teachers might not be able compete with this kind of creativity, they can still engage students in ways that keep them interested.
Teacher Training Resource: Turning the Benefits of Creativity into Reality Worksheet
When trained to teach as just described, Bible teachers are well on their way to reaching students with low tech methods in a high-tech world.
I work in the Curriculum Department for entrust4.org. We are searching, as we look to reach younger generations, for non-linear forms of teaching. Of the excellent material I have found at your website, which pages would you recommend zeroing in on?
Hello, Ronda. How good that you are seeking to reach younger generations in ways that best meet their needs. The site doesn’t specifically address non-linear forms of teaching, using that terminology, but does encourage tailoring training, and teaching, rather than use a cookie cutter approach. With that said, let me point you to resources on the following factors/issues involved in non-linear teaching.
Teachers who are disciplemaking teachers soon learn that the same step by step process doesn’t work for everybody. Traditional teachers tend to take a more linear approach to teaching. Disciplemaking teachers tend to see the need for a more non-linear approach. So, the starting point may be to help teachers see the need to be a disciplemaking teacher. You’ll find some training resources listed at: Discipleship Training Resources
Some of the factors that would enter into a more non-linear approach would be the following:
All the above links will take you to pages with a variety of resources to help with training in those area.
It takes an adaptable teacher to employ non-linear teaching. (You’ll find more links about adaptability in the related posts in this link.)
May God guide you in your search to develop the best ministry approach to reach younger generations.
Thank you SO much! This is helpful.
You are most welcome. I’m glad it’s helpful.