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Integrating Computers and Technology into Youth
Ministry
Andrew Sears
Coordinator, PREP Community Computer Center, Bruce Wall MinistriesDirector, Association of Christian Community Computer Centers
“Giving People Skills to Make a Living and a Spiritual Foundation to Make a Life”
Kingdomworks, 2001
Outline Why should we integrate
technology into youth ministry? Examples of technology and youth
ministry In After School Programs and with
Teens From PREP and other centers
How to get started Getting equipment and grants
Why Use Technology in Youth Ministry?
Computers and Technology are an excuse to develop a relationship It’s not about the computers, it’s about the
people There is a great social need
The “digital divide” is the gap that separates those with access and training on computers and the Internet from those without.
Our goal: “Providing skills to make a living and the spiritual foundation to make a life.”
Digital Divide Across Income & Race
The New Economy
Jobs Down 55-65%*
* In a range of Northern cities between 1967-1987, When Work Disappears** Statistics are for inner-city black men in Chicago*** Other sources include Bureau of Labor Statistics and Department of Commerce
Once provided 52% of jobs to some groups, but now only 28%**
65% of all jobs use computers
90% of all jobs use computer-related technologies
Jobs Grown to 7.4 million &Increasing 6.5% per year
Manufacturing Computer Industry***
The New Economy
Manufacturing Computer Industry***
Jobs Down 55-65%*
* In a range of Northern cities between 1967-1987, When Work Disappears** Statistics are for inner-city black men in Chicago*** Other sources include Bureau of Labor Statistics and Department of Commerce
Once provided 52% of jobs to some groups, but now only 28%**
Average wage in IT-producingindustries was $58,000
346,000 IT jobs remain vacant nationwide and 1.7 million need to be filled by 2003
The Church and the Digital Divide
The term “Sunday School” originated from a major literacy drive by the church in the 1800’s; Christians can also lead the computer literacy drive
Books Basic LiteracyComputers Computer Literacy
This is one of the best funded areas for serving the community
Schools and the government can only do so much
Christians and Technology
Christian Community Computer Centers Defined as any ministry using computers as
an outreach to serve the community
There are over 1,000 community computer centers in the USA and it is likely that over 100 of these are Christian centers
Range from ministries with less than 5 computers to ministries with over 50 computers
Association of Christian Community Computer Centers helps support these ministries
Different Levels of Tech Programs
Level 1 Provide “Tech Time” in an after school or teen program Need 5-10 computers and Internet access (modem)
Level 2 Provide limited classes or teen business or job placement Teens volunteer and/or work as tech staff Need 10-15 computers and Internet access (DSL or Cable)
Level 3 Provide full Community computer center which may
include walk-in access and advanced classes to local community and adults
Need full-time tech program staff
PREP Community Computer Center
Joint Program of Bruce Wall Ministries Dorchester Temple Baptist Church Cambridge Vineyard Christian Fellowship www.preptraining.org
PREP Activities 15+ Computer Classes to 220 students each semester Walk-In Computer Center with 30 visits per day Youth Run Web Design Business After School Technology Curriculum Computer Club Mentoring: provides relational time with students Saturday Lunch: provides relational time with students
Sponsorship and Growth
In first year, received over $300,000 in donations from:
Microsoft Adobe Filene Foundation PowerUP Gateway Computer Individuals
Now have a staff of eleven and about 50 volunteers
Have two computer rooms with a total of 50 computers
Integrating Tech with Other Programs
PREP Computer Program Other Youth Programs
Project 21After School Program
After SchoolTech Curriculum
Teens
Pre-TeenCamp OziomaTech Timeat Camp
New HorizonsTeen Job Placement Program
ComputerClasses
Adults
Dorchester TempleYouth Group
Youth Volunteers/ Youth Staff/
PREP Enterprises
Walk-In Computer Center
Other Youth(not in existingprograms)
Computer Club
Program Areas Goals
Eight Week Classes (250 students)
• Build Skills Needed for Employment• Develop Initial Relationship
Youth Staff &
Certifications (20)
•Provide Experience and Credentials Needed for Jobs•Provide discipleship
Two-Week Classes (250 students) Walk-in Center (2,500 visits)
• Decrease Barriers to Using Computers• Establish contact
After School (30)Get Mentored (50)
Volunteer/Assist with Classes
•Practice Material and Advance Learning•Develop deeper relationship
Stu
den
t Ad
vancem
ent
Spiritual and Skill Development Plan
After School Technology Time
Integrate computers with other activities in after school program Black History Month, Scan in Art, Themes
Project based learning works best Teaching software does not work without a goal
We split K-2nd grade and 3-7th grade We use Jumpstart software with kids Help share curriculum on AC4 E-mail list at:
www.acccc.org/email.htm We will soon have detailed after-school curriculum
information at our web site at www.acccc.org
After School Tech Curriculum Ideas
Greeting cards: we use Microsoft Publisher Research on the Internet:
Searched for poets and their poetry History of Hip Hop on the Internet. Present findings using PowerPoint
Poetry: taught formatting in Microsoft Word by having students write their own poems and then type them into Word.
Students often need to compose poems before coming to computer Encyclopedia Africana: do a Scavenger Hunt through the time line
portion Calendars: students scan in photos Newsletter: written, edited, and laid-out by the students E-mail accounts (filtered PowerUP accounts) and their own web
pages Lego Mindstorm: Robotics with programmable legos ($300 per set)
Suggestions and curriculum ideas provided by Mary Pavan and Chris Tsang from PREP
Computer Club Field trips once a month for middle
school youth to technology sites (businesses and computer museum)
Provides increased relational time for visitors to our walk-in center
Still in experimental stage
Teen Program: PREP Enterprises, Youth Staff and
Volunteers Youth Volunteers Duties
Assist with classes Youth Staff Duties
Supervise walk-in center and fix computers Assist with classes Work in PREP Enterprises Learn on the job and through self study
Discipleship: all youth staff have regular time of discipleship and leadership training
PREP Enterprises PREP Enterprises is youth-run, web design
business Employ six high school youth Develop web sites for businesses and non-profits For hire for your Web site at:
www.prepenterprises.net Other Good tech businesses for youth:
T-Shirts: sell to college groups and non-profits Graphics Design Video Production: do weddings and other events Computer Refurbishing and tech support
Walk-In Center (teens) Anyone can come in off the street and use our
computers for free (30 visits per day from youth and adults)
Attractive to teens that would not go to after school programs and provides a safe, educational environment
Internet access and music mixing very popular (software: HipHop eJay) and we have them write their own CD’s
Adults use center for the Internet and to work on resumes, other personal projects and to learn
Provides good learning activity for youth staff Youth supervise computer room, answer any questions and
will help get computers working There is always an adult in our building (church) although
youth staff may be in computer room alone
Computer Classes (teens & adults)
Two hour classes meeting once per week and mostly on Saturdays Great opportunity for volunteers to get involved Limited relational time, but it gets people “in the
door” to start relationships We’ve found youth want the advanced and media
classes while adults want the basic classes more Mentoring at end of class provides
opportunity to deepen relationship Students returning to assist with a class is
key!
Ideas for Classes
Make a major effort initially to let the community know This is needed to have many applicants at start of semester We handed out 3,000+ flyers & table-tents on street, in
schools, stores & restaurants Got mailing list of our community from Boston’s Voter
Registration Records and mailed to 10,000 residents Meals between classes can provide opportunities for
relationship building Project based classes work well Teens and adults can work in same classes, but adults
taking classes with younger children does not work See list of classes in Appendix
Ideas for Church Involvement
Establish Computer Ministry within churches Great opportunity for teens and adults to volunteer
Great partnership opportunity for suburban and urban churches
Many people in suburban churches will get involved in outreach ministries in urban communities because of their interest in computers and provides great opportunity for reconciliation and transformation
Classes provide good opportunity for volunteers Have teaching assistants who train their first semester
to teach the class while helping with the class
Issues to Consider
Computer ministry should be relational ministry “It’s not about the technology, it’s about the people.”
Center needs to be in an organization that is indigenous to community being served and raise up indigenous leaders
Web filtering software on all computers (see appendix for list of filtering software)
Some software programs do not filter Web based E-mail (i.e. Hotmail) We do not allow chat or non-educational games
Security is a major issue: BWM has an alarm system and motion detectors and are installing a “panic”
button for lab monitors and video entry cameras
Software licensing is an issue
Getting Started: Things You Need
God’s support People: staff support/volunteers
Technical support is a must Can get work-study students from colleges for tech support
Space: to house computers Look for space in churches and Multiservice centers
Equipment: computers, network, Internet connection Software Advertising/marketing (unless only serving existing
programs) Money: varies depending on your goals
Getting Equipment & Software
Make announcements in churches that you are looking for computer donations from individuals and companies
relational method works best Suburban churches may have many people in
companies with computers to donate Specify minimum requirements and types of
computers Get 20 new Gateway computers by joining
PowerUP (see grants section)
Getting Equipment & Software through Gifts-in-Kind &
Compumentor
Register with Gifts in Kind International (www.giftsinkind.com)
Cost $125 and must be Non profit 501(c)(3) and use software for service to community
Cost $225 for 5 used computers 486 & above laptops/desktops
Network hubs for $50 Get copies of most major software for $30 (Windows, Office
2000, Adobe products, etc) Provide great discounts (90% off) on office products,
projectors, clothes, etc. Use Compumentor for software discounts
(www.compumentor.com) Most major software for only $30 and no registration fee
Getting Grants
PowerUP (www.powerup.org) Get 20 new gateway computers with software Get $20-40k in funding over 3 years Looking to partner with faith-based groups with
after-school & teen programs (awarding thousands of grants targeting youth)
Deadlines: March 15, 2001 and August 15, 2001 Requires that you have 2 full-time staff that can help
with lab (but do not have to spend all their time on the lab)
Application at: www.powerup.org/program_application.pdf
Getting Grants
CTCNET AmeriCorps/VISTA Grant Provides full time staff positions for a year for $2,000 To apply must first pay $100 to join CTCNet (www.ctcnet.org) Have some restrictions on these staff “leading religious services”
during paid time, but one of the most open gov’t programs toward faith-based groups, and you select the staff
Should open application process around Feb, 2001 Contact Peter Miller of CTCNet at peterm@igc.org or 617.287.7371
or visit www.cpcs.umb.edu/newvista/ Get list of technology grants
Directory of Computer and High Technology Grants ($53) from Research Grant Guides, Inc. (order on Amazon.com)
HUD Neighborhood Networks Initiative will fund centers in housing projects (which Christian groups could run)
Association of Christian Community Computer
Centers Mission:
To support and promote the use of computers and technology in Christian outreach ministries
To assist the 60+ identified existing Christian community computer centers and help others get started
To partner with national organizations to support CCCC’s Pursuing partnerships with CCDA, Mission Year and CTCNet
Web: www.acccc.org or www.computerministry.org E-mail: info@acccc.org
Joining ACCCC
Join for free now, but may have a fee in the future
Benefits Keep informed of events of interest to
Community Computer Centers, Grants, Computer Donations
Share program information Participate in future joint programs
Sign up on sheet or send E-mail to info@acccc.org
For More Information
Visit Association of Christian Community Computer Centers Web site and join E-mail list
Get information on grants, hardware donations, share ideas, etc Join for free now, but may have a fee to join in future
Visit www.acccc.org or www.preptraining.org E-mail info@acccc.org Call Andrew Sears at 617-876-2981 Join Community Technology Centers Network
(www.ctcnet.org), get on E-mail list and go to national conference each June
Best information resource available Visit CTCNet at www.ctcnet.org Visit HUD’s Neighborhood Networks at
www.hud.gov/nnw/nnwindex.html
Appendix: Office Track Classes
Intro to Computers Intro to the InternetBasics
1. An arrow indicates a prerequisite of either taking the class or good subject knowledge.2. Students are encouraged to take other classes on this track in future semesters.
Establish Basic Computer Knowledge; highly employable in office jobs, administrative assistant and temp work
Goals
Typing
MentoringIntro to Word Intro to ExcelIntermediate
Word MOUS Test PREP
Excel MOUS Test PREP
Advanced Level
(or start Trackfor Multimedia)
Databases
Multimedia Track Classes
Employment or Start New Businesses as as Web Designer, Graphic Designer or in Video Production, Get FrontPage Certification
Goals
1. An arrow indicates a prerequisite of either taking the class or good subject knowledge.2. Students are encouraged to take other classes on this track in future semesters.
Web Design Graphics DesignIntermediate Video ProductionEntrepreneurship
Basics Digital Music Studio
Advanced Level
Youth Run Business MentoringFrontPage 2000Certification
Databases
Web Site Filtering Software
CleanWeb (www.cleanweb.net) CyberPatrol (www.microsys.com) Cybersitter (www.solidoak.com) CyberSnoop (www.pearlsw.com) Net Nanny (www.netnanny.com) Net Shepherd (www.netshepherd.com) Safesurf (www.safesurf.com) Watchdog (www.sarna.com) We Blocker (free at www.we-blocker.com) X-Stop (www.xstop.com)
Setting Up A Network & Internet Connection
Sharing Need the following
Computers with one Ethernet card in each Ethernet cabling between computers and Ethernet hub
(called RJ-45 cable) Computer to serve as “firewall” to connect to network (with
either 2 Ethernet cards or one Ethernet card and one modem)
Proxy or Firewall Software An easy setup version comes with Windows Millennium Edition as
Internet connection sharing A good inexpensive package is Comsocks (www.linkbyte.com)
Ethernet Hub Get 24 port hub from Gifts in Kind for $50 Get 16 port hub from www.warehouse.com/datacom/ for about
$200 Get from local computer stores
Internet Connection Sharing
Ethernet CableEthernet Cables
Ethernet Cable
Cable or DSL Modem
Regular Modem
Either/OrInternet
Internet Connection Sharing (Configuration)
Do not need to do this if using Microsoft Internet Connection Sharing
Under TCP/IP Configuration Server: on card connecting to clients
IP Address: 10.0.0.10 Gateway: get from network provider DNS: get from network provider Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0 Other Card/Modem: get config from network provider
Client Machines IP Address: 10.0.0.Anything from 0 to 255 but must be unique Gateway: 10.0.0.10 DNS: 10.0.0.10 Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0 Configure Options in Browser to Use Proxy at 10.0.0.10
Call proxy/firewall software provider for help
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