One of the improvements Bible teachers can make when using low tech methodology to teach in a high-tech world, is to break out of the traditional way of using the various methods. That tends to get students’ attention since they’re accustomed to a constant influx of that which is new or innovative. Using “old” methods in “new” ways can have a similar effect.
Bible Teachers Using Low Tech Need to Expand the Way They Teach
We need to break out of teaching ruts which will require us to …
- Think creatively rather than be satisfied with status quo.
- Look at alternative approaches, asking “what if” questions.
Help with Expansion of Teaching Methods
The Bible Learning Activities for Children Training Download contains a section under each of the following low tech methods with ideas for expanding their use. It could be a helpful tool for getting your children’s teachers thinking this way. You can order it as a unit using the above link or as separate one-page documents by clicking on the links below.
Many of the methods more appropriate for youth and adults can also be varied or expanded in their use. The Sharpening Your Bible Teaching Methods Resource provides ways to expand the use of many of the traditional methods.
Can you give me an example of a WHAT IF question?
Sam, “What if” questions are basically brainstorming questions. What if instead of merely holding up a picture, I cut it apart and added back the pieces to remake the picture as I told the story? Or, what if I cut it apart and let the children put it back together as a puzzle? What if instead of merely holding up a series of pictures, I made them into a big picture wheel with a another piece on top with a cut out section to reveal each picture as I go? What if instead of merely holding up a picture, I hid it in a manila envelope and revealed it bit by bit for the element of suspense? What if instead of merely holding up a series of pictures, I hung them in a hallway for students to take a walk through the story? — Not all of your ideas will fit your situation or be the best way to teach a particular story, but at least you are thinking beyond the traditional way of using pictures. Sometimes when you ask enough “what if” question, you are able to combine a couple of the ideas to come up with something even better.