The article, titled “Use your moodle to deliver lessons” outlines the benefits of online learning, and documents some of the process by which we implemented it in our teaching.

Here is an excerpt:

Jodie McNeill, priest, lecturer and technology enthusiast, fell in love with Moodle late last year.

 

The open source course management system (CMS) is at the heart of Mr McNeill’s theology course for school-leavers, Year 13. Every week he uses the online system to post texts required for the following lesson.

 

Students must read them and complete comprehension tests before moving on. At the end, they must enter a summary and ask questions. Mr McNeill then monitors the answers and uses them to prepare his weekly face-to-face lectures.

Read the full story here.

As has been the custom of the past four years, I continue to teach the DM211 ‘Youth and the Churches’ Diploma of Theology subject at Youthworks College.

This 30-hour course provides a detailed overview of youth ministry, from foundations and strategy to practical hints and techniques.

I’ve been reminded that ‘intensive’ doesn’t just describe the method of lesson delivery! Preparing for and teaching these lectures takes lots of time and energy. However, as always, they have been very rewarding.

This year I am recording the lectures with the intention of producing a book based on some of the material I have presented. The only problem is that 30 hours equates to about 90 hours of typing. Look out for the blisters on my fingers sometime in March!

As always, January and February are the biggest months for youth ministry training. Since the start of the year I have delivered training from Katoomba to Nowra, and everywhere in between!

The year began with two big Mondays at KYLC (Katoomba Youth Leadership Conference) where I trained all of the first year delegates on the Essentials of Youth Ministry. http://www.kylc.kcc.org.au This was followed by training at the Youthworks LiT (Leaders in Training) Conference in Nowra. http://www.lit.youthworks.net

As always, I have also spent two big weeks teaching the Australian College of Theology (A.C.T.) Diploma of Theology Course in youth ministry–Youth in the Churches (DM211) at Youthworks College. 30 hours of youth ministry for youth ministers. Details at http://www.college.youthworks.net

In addition, I have spoken at the Youthworks Scripture in Schools Conference at Dapto, plus delivered training in at the annual Salvation Army youth and children’s ministry training conference.

Thanks to God for the opportunity to train around 800 people throughout Sydney!

February has seen the kick-off of Youthworks College for 2005. I taught the first week of the Youth Ministry 1 intensive course, and then the second week of the Youth Minsitry 2 intensive course.

This week I began to teach the Youthworks College Ministry Skills Certificate, a weekly course designed to help students learn practical skills in youth ministry. The subjects include financial management, OH&S, small group techniques, public speaking and more!

For details of Youthworks College, visit http://www.college.youthworks.net

04 Sep (9am to 1pm) at Mortdale Anglican Church
03 Nov (7.30 to 9.30pm) at Mortdale Anglican Church (Part One)
10 Nov (7.30 to 9.30pm) at Mortdale Anglican Church (Part Two)
30 Nov & 01 Dec at Moore College, Newtown (forming part of the Youth Ministry Conference)

Or, why not join me for the Youth Ministry Intensive course? It’s 30 hours of solid theology and practice in youth ministry. You can come over five Saturdays in Oct/Nov 2004, or over six weekdays in Jan/Feb 2005. Full details http://www.youthworks.net/index.php?c=23&d=390&e=443&f=&g=&a=266&w=9001&r=Y or send me an email!

In the days leading up to Easter, 1300 Trinity Grammar School students heard that they were guilty of nailing God.

The annual Easter Mission was run this year by staff and students of Anglican Youthworks College. The theme, ‘Nailing God’, showed how every person alive was guilty of killing Jesus.

The mission included a one-hour seminar, which was repeated for each of the six High School year groups. The seminar included talks from Jodie McNeill, Graham Stanton and Al Stewart, as well as music from Nathan Tasker.

During the hour the students assembled in small groups of around six people, where a Youthworks College student led them in interactive discussion about the material presented.

In addition, the Youthworks College students taught many of the Christian Studies classes, as well as spending time in informal discussions during lunch time.

Over the past two weeks I have taught the Youth Ministry Intensive at Youthworks College. This 30 hour course began with the theology and philosophy of youth ministry, which was followed by practical skills in leading youth.

The class comprised nearly 40 youth ministers and leaders, many of whom were beginning their two year course at the College. Three of the students joined us from the overseas countries of New Zealand, Belgium and the US.

Notable were the students from the Sydney Anglican Georges River Region who attended on a bursary (i.e. they came for free!) Special thanks to Regional Council for this terrific boost to youth and children’s ministry in that region.

The fourteen-unit course began with an examination of Biblical principles of ministry, including issues such as church growth, ecclesiology, and the nature of Christian ministry. From this foundation, the course moved to develop practical skills in youth ministry, from big groups to small.

The fourteen units presented were:

1. Introduction to Youth Ministry
2. Understanding Ministry
3. Understanding Youth
4. Understanding Church
5. Understanding Church Growth
6. Understanding Ministry Models
7. Great Big Groups
8. Small Groups and Discipleship
9. Camps
10. Leadership
11. Socials and Events
12. Programs
13. Parents
14. Change

If you are interested in joining a similar course, then email me at jodie@jodiemcneill.com or visit http://www.youthworks.net for details.