Monday, June 30, 2014

Super Charging Your Youth Ministry's Social Media Reach

One of the biggest questions we get from congregations all over the region is this:  How can we attract more of our youth to our youth ministry?  Invariably, the conversation begins down the road to Social Media.  Most of the time the folks who are planning and running the youth ministry have their toes in the social media pond, but still haven't taken the plunge into the pool of all that is social media for a number of reasons.  Sometimes it is because they are unsure about how to use it -- sometimes it is because they aren't sure where people are tuned in and sometimes it is a level of discomfort with social media in general.

A recent survey of people in volunteer roles at their churches regarding how they used social media personally and in ministry shows us some  interesting data. Sifting through the data, I found that 73.1%% of youth workers believe that teenagers are on social media away too much, yet more than 45% of you are on social media at least 13 hours a week and over 72% of that is for personal use.

Pew Research current statistics on social media use for teenagers and adults plays out like this:
Age Range% on Social MediaFrequency of Use
Teenagers181%29% everyday, 20% twice a week
Adults267%At least 63% everyday, 22% weekly

[1] numbers based on February 25, 2014 report titled Teens and Technology (http://www.pewinternet.org/2014/02/25/teens-technology-understanding-the-digital-landscape)[2] numbers based on September 16, 2013 report titled August Tracking Survey (http://www.pewinternet.org/2013/12/30/frequency-of-social-media-use)
What does this mean?  This means that not only are the youth tuned into social media, but so are the adults!  That means that not only are the kids you are trying to reach on social media outlets, but so are their parents.  So now is the time to tune in to social media!

1. Social Media for Awareness
The biggest impact that social media can have for you in your quest to encourage youth into your youth ministry program is to help create awareness.  The youth in your congregation are on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr and probably other social media outlets.  The best way to reach them outside of Sunday mornings is to be present on these platforms.  And not only be present on one, but be present on as many as possible.  Do you have an event coming up that you want youth to attend?  Create a nifty graphic with all the details and post it on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr, Flickr and so on.  Then... if you have a personal account on these mediums, odds are you have some parents on your friends list, share it as YOU as well as your social ministry account!  Ask for parents who are already active to do the same!

On social media site like Facebook the more buzz you create, the more it will show up in users newsfeeds without them making an effort to see it.  And that is the best kind of advertising -- targeted and free.

2. Social Media for Targeted Crowd Sourcing
One of the most powerful things that social media can do for you is to passively extend your reach to people you didn't even know might be interested in what you are doing.  But the only way that people will know what you are doing is if someone is sharing what you are doing.  It is great to post information about upcoming events on your stream, but it is even more impactful to post pictures of the actual events happening!  There is nothing more compelling to a teen than seeing their peers out at an event and having a great time!  I've seen some really great pictures of Habitat for Humanity builds, car washes and youth game nights that show camaraderie, service, kids just laughing and having a great time!  This can be jumpstarted by putting a responsible member of your youth team in charge of taking pictures at these events so you can go back and find a couple of the best to saturate your social media platforms with.  Make sure you tag the people in the pictures so that they can see them, and their friends can too.  Before you know it, you'll be hearing that youth are turning out because they saw the pictures of your last event and wanted to have a great time, too!

Note: It is essential that parents are aware that you are taking pictures of children and posting them to social media outlets before you do so.

3. Website Mashups
Now that you are posting things on social media platforms, it is time to integrate that into your website!  Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc all have methods that allow you to replicate your activity on your own website!  Check with the people who administer your website on how to do this -- but you would be surprised how many times people find your Youth Ministry page on Facebook via your website.

4. Responsible Use
It is imperative that when your youth ministry jumps into the social media fray, that there are guidelines and boundaries on their use.  It is important that all the social media accounts belong to the church, first and foremost.  No one should be logging into any social media site with their personal accounts and posting as the church.  Also, what can be posted?  The church and ministry must have strict guidelines that are consistent with church principles regarding what can and cannot be posted on these accounts.  Another key consideration is who has the final say as to what is posted?  Is it the youth leader?  The senior pastor?  Either way -- it should be clear.

5. Easy Use
Don't have time to always log in to every single social media platform to post?  There are some great applications out there that can take accounts from several different platforms and bring them together into one place so all you have to do is post once, and it gets distributed to many platforms!  Facebook as this ability built into it if you have a group page to take all your group page postings and send them to Twitter.  Another great application that replicates to several platforms is TweetDeck, and another popular one is Seesmic Deck.

One thing is clear, social media is here to stay.  And there are certainly responsible and productive ways that any organization can use in order to make this vehicle work for you!  I hope this has given you some great ideas on how to jumpstart your ministry via the use of social media platforms.

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Bruce has worked in educational technology for over 17 years and has implemented several 1:1/BYOD programs.  He also has been a classroom teacher for various subjects.  Bruce is the author of five books: Sands of TimeTowering Pines Volume One:Room 509The Star of ChristmasPhiladelphia Story: A Lance Carter Detective Novel and The Insider's Story: A Lance Carter Detective Novel.  Follow Bruce's Novel releases by subscribing to his FREE newsletter!

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Announcement Regarding Upcoming Releases

For those of you who have been following me for a few years, you know that I like to talk about new things I'm working on and sometimes can change course based on how those things flesh out.  I know many of you touch base with me from time-to-time to get status updates on projects that hold particular interest to you.  Since the release of The Insider's Story in 2013, I've completed three complete manuscripts.  Those are Towering Pines Volume 2: The Sound and The Fury, The Kill Commission and the third Lance Carter novel.  What I've found is that once done -- I have not been fully happy with any of these books.  I've actually completely re-thought Towering Pines Volume 2, the Lance Carter book has a number of problems that I haven't been able to resolve and staring at the manuscript for The Kill Commission I feel like it isn't a book that is in my style.
So what does all that mean?

It means that I think it is time for me to take a break from writing fiction.  These manuscripts have turned out the way they have partially because I've been writing because I think I need to write.  The ideas are there, the stories flow but in the end it is the finer points that seem to be missing and with an increase in "real life" time consumers I do not seem to be able to address them in a satisfactory manner.  So I am taking a step back from all three stories.

So, after a lot of soul searching and personal reflection, here is my plan for 2014 and 2015 as of today.

- As of June 30th, 2014 I will be pulling all of my fiction releases from the market place with the exception of Towering Pines Volume One and The Star of Christmas.  If you do not have Philadelphia Story, The Insider's Story or Sands of Time I urge you to get them *now*.  They may or may not become available in their current format again.
- I have a non-fiction introduction level computer science textbook that I've been "on again off again" working on, and I will complete this in 2014 for release.
- I have been working with a screen writer on a movie version of Sands of Time, I will continue that work with an adapted novelization of the final script to be released.  We are making some changes in the details and have a slightly altered storyline that extends the ending in a more final way.  An altered audio book may follow.  The story will likely have a different name when it is finished.  Currently I like: Curse of the Caelitus.
- Around Christmas 2014 I will pull Towering Pines Volume 2 back off the shelf and attack the story again, see how it goes.  I have a revamped catalyst, however the story will still center on Lisbeth's family line and its impact on Liam and the school.
- I will revisit Lance Carter sometime in 2015 after I've reached some resolution on TP2.
- If you have not seen my Instagram, you are invited to follow me and my series of photos "Your Moment of Pennsylvania Zen".  I am toying with the idea of publishing the best of these pictures sometime this year. (http://www.instagram.com/bsarte)

I thank you all for your support and for following me thus far through my journey.  I am certainly not done writing, but I feel like I need to re-examine where the writing is going.  I look forward to my next release that lands in your hands!

Bruce

The Star of ChristmasThe Insider's Story: A Lance Carter Detective Novel (#2)Philadelphia Story: A Lance Carter Detective Novel (#1)Towering Pines Volume One: Room 509Sands of Time
Best Friends Forever (A Short Story)How to Read the BiblePlaying Guitar for Beginners

Saving Classes from Year to Year in Haiku Learning Management System


Learning Management System is a big buzzword in educational technology these days.  And there are certainly a lot of ways to go if you are considering implementing one.  One of the best "bang for your buck" solutions is the Haiku Learning Management System.  One of the beautiful things about this system is that it allows teachers to sign up and run their classes for free on an individual basis, but Haiku also has a really affordable school wide licensing model -- as low as $5 per teacher.

But, even with a great learning management system like Haiku, there are always questions about how to do certain things... and one of the biggest I see from year-to-year (in any system) is "Can I save my classes from last year or do I have to re-do everything next year?"

More often than not these days, the answer is: you can save it!  And here's how you do that in Haiku!

1. Wait until the next year's classes appear in Haiku.

  • Last year's classes display in Inactive Classes.
  • At the end of the year, these classes may be accessed in My Classes > select: Jump to Inactive
  • When your new classes arrive from PowerSchool, you may copy the content from your inactive classes to your new classes.
2. Save as Templates
  • You can save current class content to templates
  • Select a class
  • Click on: Manage Class > and select: Save As  > select: Template, and follow the instructions
  • When your new classes arrive in Haiku, you may copy the content from your inactive classes to your new classes.
  • Go to: My Classes  > select: Jump to Inactive Classes  > click on: Templates tab, and select: Share Class...
3. Share Class to the Library (where you and other teachers may copy it later)
  • Select a class
  • Click on: Manage Class > and select: Share Class
  • Select: Library, and check the following: Grade level, subject, and add any tags
  • Click: Copy  (you may then close the screen)


I hope this helps alleviate some of that "End of Year Stress"!

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Bruce has worked in educational technology for over 17 years and has implemented several 1:1/BYOD programs.  He also has been a classroom teacher for various subjects.  Bruce is the author of five books: Sands of TimeTowering Pines Volume One:Room 509The Star of ChristmasPhiladelphia Story: A Lance Carter Detective Novel and The Insider's Story: A Lance Carter Detective Novel.  He also has a new novel coming out in June 2014, The Kill Commission.  Follow Bruce's Novel releases by subscribing to his FREE newsletter!

Monday, June 23, 2014

Got a new Smart Phone? Start HERE!

If you are into techie stuff like me, few things top the excitement of powering up a brand new smartphone for the

very first time and diving right in. By the nature of my work, I have a well-established routine for setting up a new phone when I review it. However, a phone that's going to stick around for awhile gets a little more forethought and effort.  Here are some great guidelines for newbies and pros alike. This isn't a "how-to", but more of a "what to do" kind of article.  I won't get into the step-by-step details about the phone, or advise you to download specific apps (of course you will). Rather, I'll point out some general categories you should think about when protecting and customizing your investment.




Tackle Your Settings -- All of Them
Beeps, chimes, and buzzes annoy me. When phones constantly chirp in an office environment, it can irritate coworkers, too.  So the very first thing I do when setting up a new phone is to adjust my volume profile, choose my ringtones, and shut down haptic feedback (unless it's on a Windows Phone -- that I can take). It's for my own sanity, and for the sanity of the people around me.

Depending on the phone, I also pull up settings from the keyboard to shut down key press tones and other haptic feedback.  But don't stop there. I recommend systematically going through the settings. Not only will you fine-tune your phone's behavior right from the very beginning, you'll also learn a tremendous amount about your handset's capabilities.

Phone-makers slip controls for the most interesting software extras in the settings menu, and sometimes in submenus as well. I always peruse this area from the get-go to learn about the more hidden options for everything from motion and gesture controls to call blocking.

This is also where you'll find any options for simple startup mode (found on some Android phones), a benefit for those people who prefer a less-cluttered way to experience Android. A setup wizard may also let you make this selection if it exists.


Check for Updates
Sometimes phones ship with one version of the operating system, but by the time it lands in your hands, there could be an update waiting in the wings. (Usually Androids)

This is an easy check from the Settings menu, so it's worth looking just to get the update out of the way, especially if it means restarting your phone.

Even if you don't have an OS update, it's worth checking for individual app refreshes for essential and preloaded programs. If there are more than a few of these, the update could take some time, or even require a reboot. I like to get this out of the way early because, especially with Android, updating apps like the Google Play Store, can somewhat alter the setup experience.


Secure Your Device
Loading up your new device with games, apps, and music sounds a lot more fun than taking the time to enact security measures on your device, but I can't stress how important it is to do this. Right now. Before you get distracted or forget.

There's a lot to remember in this category, check out this primer on security. It is very well done and laid out by OS.

It's important to know what all of your options are, and institute them. In the panic-inducing event that you misplace your phone or lose it to theft, a basic understanding of the measures you set up and how to remotely lock, track, and even wipe your phone will pay off more than you can imagine. This also goes for recovering your assets, like precious photos.

Hook Up To The Cloud!
Are you doing iCloud?  Microsoft OneDrive?  Dropbox?  Pick one!  But hey -- it might even be built in!  Your phone may alert you that you have the option of turning on cloud storage or syncing functionality for your contacts, calendar, photos, music, and so on. It's easy to dismiss these pop-ups in the pursuit of, say, choosing prettier wallpaper or theme colors, but as with updates and security, this is one of those things you should take care of sooner rather than later.

Not only are you making it smoother to share your assets among devices like your tablet and laptop, you're also taking a step toward safeguarding your digital property if you lose your phone, and making it easier to repopulate a future device with your photos and the like.

Likewise, you should also pay attention to prompts for syncing content, and specifically, you'll want to keep an eye on overly enthusiastic syncing features that you don't want turned on by default. Android phones are the main culprit here. If you don't watch what you press, your phone could upload all your photos online, turn on social networking, and generally overshare information you'd rather selectively distribute yourself.


Customize the Look and Feel
So you've secured your device and gotten to know your phone? Great. Now you should customize it.

Go nuts. Download new wallpaper, explore app launchers, group apps into folders, and jump into the world of rooting your phone and applying custom ROMs if you'd like.

Do keep in mind that if you go the rooting or jailbreaking route, you're violating your warranty, so this isn't an endeavor to attempt on a whim. The good news is that there's a tremendous amount of step-by-step tutorials and support articles on the Internet that can walk you through everything from gaining administrative access and installing ROMs to reverting your phone back to factory conditions. Still, it is a risk, so approach with caution.
One final area of customization I'd address are preloaded apps, better known as bloatware. Most of the time these won't budge; they were included as part of the phone-maker's agenda, or as part of a partnership agreement. Sometimes, though, you can force quit them, disable them, or with iOS and some Android phones, rearrange their icons into the dark recesses of your home screen or app tray to all but ignore them.


Plan For Resale
I don't blame you one bit if your dead-last instinct with your new phone is to think about its afterlife. But trust me, a year or two down the line -- or even longer -- you'll be thankful you did.

Especially if you wind up reselling your phone directly to another human (and not to an organization), you'll want to keep the box in good shape, and yep, those structural cardboard inserts, as well. It makes a better presentation that way, and the condition of your phone and its accoutrements can net you a higher sale price.
I'd also strongly recommend getting a sturdy case to protect your phone. This is as much for your day-to-day benefit as it is to safeguard the phone's resale value down the line. Sure, your own self-expression in choosing a case still takes precedent, but if you're going to wind up recouping your costs when you're ready to move on, you might as well get the most for your handset that you can with a case that actively shields the phone's vulnerable screen and corners, instead of just simply looking good.



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Bruce has worked in educational technology for over 17 years and has implemented several 1:1/BYOD programs.  He also has been a classroom teacher for various subjects.  Bruce is the author of five books: Sands of TimeTowering Pines Volume One:Room 509The Star of ChristmasPhiladelphia Story: A Lance Carter Detective Novel and The Insider's Story: A Lance Carter Detective Novel.  He also has a new novel coming out in June 2014, The Kill Commission.  Follow Bruce's Novel releases by subscribing to his FREE newsletter!

Sunday, June 22, 2014

Who Started the Digital Photography Revolution? Apple...

Everyone takes pictures... and these days, the overwhelming majority take digital pictures.  Digital photography first started to appear in the consumer market in the early 90's.  Most people don't realize the the roots of digital photography go all the way back to 1975 when Steve Sasson, working at Eastman Kodak, built the first fully electronic camera that used a charge-coupled imaging device, known today as a CCD.  For the next 18 or so years, this technology was primarily used in medical imaging devices.  The CCD was pioneered in the 1969, but Kodak was the first company to market the technology successfully.  It wasn't until the early 90's that consumer based devices began to pop-up with varying levels of affordability.

But today we pay homage to the great collaboration that sparked the affordable digital camera revolution.  In February of 1994 at the MacWorld in Tokyo Apple showed the Apple QuickTake 100 color digital camera.  This was a camera designed by Kodak and brought to market by Apple.  



This may be one of those Apple devices you've never heard of or seen in action... The Apple QuickTake 100 could story eight full 24 bit color images at 640x480 resolution (or 16 at the lower 320x240 resolution).  Kodak signed on with Apple because they didn't see a real future in consumer digital photography, so they did not want their name on the device feeling it would impact their film camera business.  Good call -- right?

All in all this was a great camera for the time, and priced at $749 it was affordable-ish.  There were still a number of things that worked against the camera -- only being compatible with Apple computers not being the least of those problems.  Even with its limited success, this product helped pioneer the color digital camera as we know it today -- and pushed us towards the affordable color digital cameras that we have in our phones today.



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Bruce has worked in educational technology for over 17 years and has implemented several 1:1/BYOD programs.  He also has been a classroom teacher for various subjects.  Bruce is the author of five books: Sands of TimeTowering Pines Volume One:Room 509The Star of ChristmasPhiladelphia Story: A Lance Carter Detective Novel and The Insider's Story: A Lance Carter Detective Novel.  He also has a new novel coming out in June 2014, The Kill Commission.  Follow Bruce's Novel releases by subscribing to his FREE newsletter!

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Father's Day Breakfast Idea - Pancakes with Cream Cheese Spread

So Father's Day is coming... and there isn't much that most dads like more than eating a great meal!  So, with that in mind I give you a recipe for a wonderful pancake breakfast (or brunch or breakfast-for-dinner) -- AND WHATEVER YOU DO -- don't forget the bacon!

Pancakes with Cream Cheese Spread
Prep Time: 15 min. | Makes: 4 servings.

What you need
  • ¾ cup  milk
  • 2 Tbsp.  white vinegar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup  flour
  • 2 Tbsp.  granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp.  Baking Powder
  • ½ tsp.  baking soda
  • ½ tsp.  salt
  • 2 Tbsp.  butter, melted
  • ½ cup  (1/2 of 8-oz. tub) of your favorite Cream Cheese Spread
  • 4 tsp.  powdered sugar
Make it
  • MIX milk and vinegar in medium bowl; let stand 2 min. Whisk in egg.
  • COMBINE next 5 ingredients in large bowl. Add milk mixture and butter; mix well.
  • LADLE batter onto hot griddle or into hot skillet sprayed with cooking spray, using 2 Tbsp. batter for each pancake; cook until bubbles form on tops, then turn to brown other sides.
  • STACK 3 pancakes on each of 4 serving plates, spreading 2 tsp. cream cheese spread between each layer. Cover with remaining pancakes; sprinkle with powdered sugar.
  • SERVING SUGGESTION: Serve with your favorite BACON (or other appropriate breakfast meat)
  • Want to mix it up?  Pick up some flavored cream cheese and use that instead!


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Bruce has worked in educational technology for over 17 years and has implemented several 1:1/BYOD programs.  He also has been a classroom teacher for various subjects.  Bruce is the author of five books: Sands of TimeTowering Pines Volume One:Room 509The Star of ChristmasPhiladelphia Story: A Lance Carter Detective Novel and The Insider's Story: A Lance Carter Detective Novel.  He also has a new novel coming out in June 2014, The Kill Commission.  Follow Bruce's Novel releases by subscribing to his FREE newsletter!

Monday, June 2, 2014

Mimio's MimioTeach plus Mobile

As someone who has worked in educational technology for quite a bit of time, I've seen the idea of "smart boards" evolve from big, heavy, prohibitively-expensive boards that required tethered pens and hard wired serial cable connection to today's less expensive, lighter and wireless options.  However, over that time a few things have become clear about the technology.  First and foremost is that teachers love it when they know how to use it, but beyond two a big issues are placement and supplies!  The board location is great for one teacher, but the other one hates it... and those darned pens!  They keep breaking or disappearing!  I've worked at schools where a smart board pen is more valuable than access to good coffee -- and that's saying something!

One of the products that seeks to rectify those two issue is made by a company called Mimio.  Mimio has several products, but the one that I have used most often is the Mimio Teach.  While this particular product does not solve the pen issue (they do have products that address this), it is magnetic -- which makes it highly portable!  You can move it on any surface that is metallic at all (yes, that includes standard marker-based white boards), and all you need to do it point a projector at it and calibrate.  They can be wireless to your computer -- so no tethering based on computer location is not necessary, and they work with a myriad of software (not just Mimio's).  And the last selling point I'll mention, and perhaps most important to some, is the cost.  You can get 2-3 Mimio Teach setups for the cost of one good interactive white board.  That means more interactivity and training for your buck!  

But, my post today isn't really about that.  It is about the wonderful infographic that Mimio recently released regarding the increase and trends of mobile device use in education.  How does this tie into interactive classroom technology?  In every way!  The increase in mobility has a direct impact on how we think about and use things like interactive whiteboards and other similar technologies.

So -- take a look and enjoy!




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Bruce has worked in educational technology for over 17 years and has implemented several 1:1/BYOD programs.  He also has been a classroom teacher for various subjects.  Bruce is the author of five books: Sands of TimeTowering Pines Volume One:Room 509The Star of ChristmasPhiladelphia Story: A Lance Carter Detective Novel and The Insider's Story: A Lance Carter Detective Novel.  He also has a new novel coming out in June 2014, The Kill Commission.  Follow Bruce's Novel releases by subscribing to his FREE newsletter!