The latest web tool I am looking into is Stroome. What is Stroome? Stroome is the world's most collaborative video editing community. Upload videos, share clips, then mix it up and mash it out. Thousands of clips, hundreds of collaborators, unlimited possibilities. Stroome is a tool for web reporting. I have not created a project yet, but I'm sure that will happen in the near future. Here's what intrigues me about this web tool.

I came across a couple of great resources for Digital Immigrants who want to become more fluent in the language and tools of Digital Learners. The Digital Diet is a new book by Andrew Churches, Lee Crocket, and Ian Jukes. The contributors have also create some "Small Byte" ebooks. According to the Committed Sardine Blog, each ebook "includes a quick-start guide, examples of how to use this tool in your classroom, and examples of activities which will help cultivate the 21st century fluencies." Please note that these resources were created specifically for educators and school settings, but they are really accessible for ministry. Read more...

I want to continue looking at the divide between the digital immigrant and digital native leaders in children's and family ministry and the big questions that all of us need to answer. Let's start with: Bring on the Revolution! Read more...

"I am not an artist." "I cannot draw or paint." "I am not creative." These are all lies that people tend to believe about themselves. I know; I believed all of these fallacies. I remember trying very hard when I was a kid to draw horses or castles or people. The results were nothing more than hard scribbles. So, like any disciplined young man I gave up my dreams of being an artist and turned that passion towards Tecmo Bowl. The problem with these lies is that they keep perfectly creative beings from developing their gifts. Read more...

I've been reviewing a study entitled, "Life Support: Young People's Needs in a Digital Age" which looked at the psychological and neurological effects of the Internet on young people. The report, authored by Professor Michael Hulme, provides a new definition for the common term, "digital native." According to Hulme, "digital natives" are people under the age of 25, who have been surrounded by computers, the Internet, mobile phones, and digital video games since a preschool age." One of the biggest obstacles I encounter when talking about digital learners is when leaders think that their characteristics only apply to older kids. While this is true, the Life Support report confirms that digital natives begin their immersion into technology around the age of three! Read more...

In my house, I'm the cook. I cook. I asked to cook. Before we had kids, my wife and I used to share the cooking responsibilities. When we had kids I was given the choice to come home from work and watch the kids or cook. I chose to cook. Please, don't judge me... I really enjoy cooking, mostly because I enjoy eating and compliments. And the more I cook, the more I am reminded of children's ministry. Cooking is an apt metaphor for kidmin. It taxes all five senses It requires adventure and a little creativity, subtle changes, and constant input and feedback You can get burned (like I did tonight) and be surprised about it It could easily fall into the Mike Rowe "Dirty Job" category because it's messy When you get it right, it is pretty dang tasty

I've taken a break from blogging, but I'm excited about all the amazing resources the Cory Center will bring to the field of children's and family ministry!