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What’s the Role of Technology in Catholic Schools?

This provocative video challenges us to think seriously about the place of technology in our schools:

Do you agree with their comments? In light of the opinions expressed in the video, what can Catholic teachers do help students become responsible users of technology? And what about those who don’t have access to technology?

My Take: Students who have access to computers and cell phones are constantly consuming and creating content. If we are to help them become bearers of Christ’s light to the world, we need to help them evaluate the content they’re taking in and the content they’re creating. In some respects, this is no different than what we’ve done for decades. We try to help students think for themselves and apply the teachings of Christ to the ethical decisions they make, and we challenge students to bring the Good News to every arena of their lives. But we can’t do that unless we are familiar ourselves with the ways in which they are using technology–unless we speak their language and know how to use the tools they use.

What’s your take?

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An Example to a New Generation of Teachers

What does it mean to be committed to Catholic education? Ask Rosemary Kingston and Judy Lanini of Notre Dame High School in Salinas, California. They retire together this year after 57 combined years of teaching at the ages of 67 and 70. That’s right–67 years old and 70 years old. Where did their dedication come from? A hint can be found on Rosemary’s staff page on the Notre Dame website:

I have enjoyed every minute I have spent in the classroom. It is a real joy working with young women. I am blessed that I am now teaching the daughters of my previous students. I love to attend co-curricular activities, especially athletic events. Over the years, many parents and students have become my friends. I have had the privilege of reading at their weddings and being a god parent to their children.

One of the hallmarks of working in Catholic schools is the community atmosphere that arises out of a group of people dedicated to a common cause working together for the sake of the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Congratulations to Rosemary and Judy, and thank you for your years of service.  For more about their story, see this article in the Californian.

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Welcome to Catholic School Chronicles

There is a huge black hole in the Internet where Catholic school teachers should be. Where are the Catholic school bloggers, podcasters, Facebook fans and Twitterers? If you’re out there, we need to connect and make our online presence stronger. If you’re not there yet, let’s get busy and create a community to share resources, ideas and stories. There are terrific educational blogs out there like Beyond School and The Cool Cat Teacher, and Catholic homeschoolers have got great sites like the Love2Learn blog and Maureen Wittman’s blog, but where are the Catholic school teachers?

Right here.

If you’re a Catholic school teacher or administrator then I hope Catholic School Chronicles can serve as an energizing rallying point for your vocation, and a source of news and materials you can use each day. But mostly I hope that it inspires you create your own blog and join the conversation. It’s not too late to join the online revolution. The Catholic Church needs your voice to ring out over the rooftops of the world with the sound of Good News.

Though this endeavor begins as the school year is winding down, we have a lot in store for the coming months: podcasts, professional development ideas, web resources, all from a Catholic educator’s perspective. From catechesis to computers, from prayer to podcasts, Catholic School Chronicles deals with the latest issues and ideas for today’s Catholic schools.

By way of introduction, my name is Nick Senger and I’ve been teaching in Catholic schools for almost 18 years, and my entire education, from first grade to graduate school, has been in Catholic institutions.

I graduated from St. Pius X Catholic School, from Billings Central Catholic High School, and from Gonzaga University (twice). I’ve taught at Sacred Heart Catholic School and Gonzaga University, and I’m currently in my seventeenth year at All Saints Catholic School, where I’m a vice principal and eighth grade teacher. My wife teaches at Gonzaga University and three of our four children attend Catholic schools (our fourth will enter as soon as she’s old enough). Catholic education has been a part of my life since I was five years old, and it continues to be one of the foundational elements that shapes who I am.

My online endeavors includes blogs like Literary Compass and Teen Literacy Tips and podcasts like One Catholic Life. I also edit the homily podcast for St. Peter Parish and I coordinate technology at All Saints. All Saints recently received a generous donation from an anonymous benefactor that enabled us to give every teacher a Macbook laptop and to furnish every classroom with projectors and document cameras. In addition, we replaced all of our outdated Windows-based student computers with brand new 20-inch iMacs and added a wireless laptop lab with 20 Macbooks. We are tremendously excited to use this new technology to form students in ways that will spread the good news of the Kingdom of God in innovative ways.

Though I love technology and gadgets, my passion has always been for the Catholic faith and for teaching, and I can’t wait to grow Catholic School Chronicles into “something beautiful for God.” You will see the site develop and change over the next few months until it finally settles into something that I hope becomes a regular part of your online experience.

I would greatly appreciate your feedback and suggestions, and I look forward to getting to know you. Use the subscribe link at the top of the page to get the most current articles, and leave comments whenever you get the itch. Tell all your Catholic school colleagues about Catholic School Chronicles, and most of all please pray that this website will be an inspiration and resource that furthers the mission of Catholic education.

In Christ,

Nick Senger