Presentation on theme: "Doing Catechesis in a Media Age The medium IS the message- McLuhan."— Presentation transcript:
Doing Catechesis in a Media Age The medium IS the message- McLuhan
In this presentation…. u The nature of learning and input u To Teach as Jesus Did u Using media to preach u Some suggestions on the use of media in the process of catechesis.
How we learn... u Input from five senses…plus u The retention factor u The nature of students in this age u The power of the story (even urban myths) u Media serve the needs under multiple intelligences theory: they serve all the intelligences.
Students Like Dislike
Aetatis Novae, 1992 At the dawn of this new era, a vast expansion of human communications is profoundly influencing culture everywhere…Nowhere today are people untouched by the impact of media upon religious and moral attitudes, political and social systems, and education.
The Evolution of Media Pre-literate: storytelling Literate: Print material Post-literate: Electronic media Post-post literate The nöosphere??
Scripture shows use of media: u Old Testament: Burning Bush Ten Plagues Dreams u New Testament: Parables Coin of the realm Fig Tree
Media teach: u Issues such as sexuality, morality, violence, consumerism, materialism. u Values of life/death/the human condition u A point of view, e.g. stereotypes u Behavior u Culture
Media have become the language through which we interpret our lives and our experiences.
We often use old wineskins to describe new wine: u Horseless carriage u Iron horse u Laptop computer u Hard disk space u Desktop
Media talk=everyday talk u Beam me up, Scotty… u Show me the money! u Badabing! u Talk to the hand; the head is busy u Can you hear me now?
What should media provide? u Connectedness: in the shared experience u Metaphor: in the shared meaning u Sacramentality: in the sense of the transcendence u Understanding: in the lesson drawn.
Jesus: the Medium and the Message u Priest Cool Hand Luke u Prophet The Dead Zone u King High Noon
Using Media and New Technology u Television, movies, music provide a platform for metaphor and experience. u Electronic media provide a unique opportunity for connectedness u In this post-post-literate age, media need to be interpreted in light of our beliefs and seen to be sacramental in character.
Ways to use TV, Film and Music u Stage situations from Gospel stories as if they were part of a TV show or movie; u Analyze commercials for stereotype;(e.g. portrayal of fathers) u Analyze beginnings and endings of sitcoms; u Watch music videos first w/o sound; next w/o video. Analyze the result. u Use film characters to analyze moral questions;(e.g. Green Mile)
More Ways.. u Teach how color, lighting, camera angles convey a message;(e.g.Psycho) u Analyze cultural trends through the use of film over the years; do the same with music.(e.g. any teen flick) u Analyze American consumerism through the use of commercials(e.g. product placement) u Look for how and when morality are portrayed(e.g. Spiderman)
Still more ways... u Look for the effect of music on movies and TV shows(e.g. Law and Order) u Look for movies that are re-writing of Scriptural stories(e.g. Close Encounters) u Analyze music, movies and TV shows for how they portray the use of alcohol and drugs.
Some caveats u Pay attention to licensing and fair use regulations; u Dont use media in such a way that it obfuscates the message u Remember: the lesson is utmost
Cyberspace and Church u No longer do the teacher and the student have to be in the same place at the same time. u Information is no longer limited to the educated. u Concepts such as space and time have new meaning.
Saint Blogs Parish u Represents a cyberparish u Blogs exist on any topic ranging from spirituality to theology to current Church practice. u Blogs give Catholics an opportunity to be heard on any topic. u This puts the entire concept of parish and Church on its head.
Some popular Catholic blogs A Catholic Blog for Lovers Http://blogforlovers.blogspot.com Care and Feeding of a Catholic Church Choir Http://catholicchoir.blogspot.com Catholic and Enjoying It Http://markshea.blogspot.com CLOG, a blog on canon law Http://canonlaw.blogspot.com