CHANGE OF ADDRESS
This blog is hosted on Blogger.com, a free service that has been great. You may have reached this blog by typing in the address www.21stCenturySheep.com. That address redirected you to this address on Blogger.com.
I have moved to a different blogging service where I have more control of the server and can use the WordPress software. I setup the new blog using the WordPress software on my GoDaddy account. You can reach the new blog by typing in either www.21stCenturySheep.com or www.21stCentury Sheep.net.
This will be the last entry on this site. If you have it bookmarked, make sure the bookmark is set to www.21stCenturySheep.com
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Alabama - West Florida Conference
I had a great time working with folks from the Alabama - West Florida conference of the UMC this weekend. I'll fly out of Montgomery tomorrow morning.
I liked the format of this training. Participants were encouraged to bring laptops and most did. There was time built into the schedule for the participants to try out the things we were discussing. Several of them joined the Google Group, a couple joined Facebook, and one couple even setup a web page for their church.
The training seemed to go well and I met some great folks. Meredyth and Leigh have been great hosts.
I liked the format of this training. Participants were encouraged to bring laptops and most did. There was time built into the schedule for the participants to try out the things we were discussing. Several of them joined the Google Group, a couple joined Facebook, and one couple even setup a web page for their church.
The training seemed to go well and I met some great folks. Meredyth and Leigh have been great hosts.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
New Cyberbullying Study
A new study out of UCLA finds cyberbullying is more common than previously thought. Almost 75% of teens reported some cyberbullying during the prior 12 months. The most common type of bullying was name calling. That didn't surprise me, but the second most common type did. The second most common tactic was password theft. If someone steals or guesses your password they can send email in your name, visit websites and make it look like it was you, or edit an online profile and post untrue and unflattering information.
We have to teach our kids to use strong passwords, and to keep them private!
Even though nearly 75% reported bullying, only 10% reported it to their parents. The most common reason for not telling was the teens felt like they just "need to learn to deal with it." The second most common reason was that they were afraid if they told, their parents would limit their access to the Internet.
We need to develop relationships that allow our children to tell us what is going on in their lives without fear of us overreacting.
You may also want to listen to the APM Future Tense podcast on this report.
We have to teach our kids to use strong passwords, and to keep them private!
Even though nearly 75% reported bullying, only 10% reported it to their parents. The most common reason for not telling was the teens felt like they just "need to learn to deal with it." The second most common reason was that they were afraid if they told, their parents would limit their access to the Internet.
We need to develop relationships that allow our children to tell us what is going on in their lives without fear of us overreacting.
You may also want to listen to the APM Future Tense podcast on this report.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Jog The Web
A friend pointed me to this website today and I found it very interesting. The site is JogTheWeb.com and it lets the user setup a "tour" of websites. You can add comments or directions about each website.
My first effort is a quick tour of several Internet safety resource sites. Give it a try and see what you think. Click here. The site is free and relatively easy to use.
My first effort is a quick tour of several Internet safety resource sites. Give it a try and see what you think. Click here. The site is free and relatively easy to use.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Porn and the Church
I was asked to draft some policy and procedures that address situations where pornography is being accessed using church computers. We may think this doesn't happen, but it does. As I was doing some research for this project I came across this terrible story from Texas.
Pastor Steve Richardson of First United Methodist Church in Royse City Texas, has admitted to trafficking child pornography from the computer in the church. The full complaint documents his actions and how he was caught.
First, this is a congregation that needs our prayers. Please pray for all involved in this situation.
Second, it is time for the Church, and the UMC specifically, to face the issue of pornography head-on. There are estimates that up to half of all men access pornography online, and persons in ministry are not immune. There are resources available to help us get started. Here are a few I've found interesting.
XXXChurch
TechMission Safe Families
Breaking Free
Pastor Steve Richardson of First United Methodist Church in Royse City Texas, has admitted to trafficking child pornography from the computer in the church. The full complaint documents his actions and how he was caught.
First, this is a congregation that needs our prayers. Please pray for all involved in this situation.
Second, it is time for the Church, and the UMC specifically, to face the issue of pornography head-on. There are estimates that up to half of all men access pornography online, and persons in ministry are not immune. There are resources available to help us get started. Here are a few I've found interesting.
XXXChurch
TechMission Safe Families
Breaking Free
Great day at Wesley Memorial UMC
We had a great day of training at Wesley Memorial in Wilmington yesterday. Bill, Steve, Jay and Donna took care of all the arrangements and made us feel very welcome.
We spent more time on MySpace yesterday than we did the previous week. After reviewing the basics of MySpace I asked the group why they thought MySpace was so popular. They gave some great responses.
1. It is empowering.
2. Kids can define themselves in the way they want to instead of being defined and classified by others.
3. Kids who are shy in real life feel more free to express themselves.
I love the interaction we have in these training sessions.
We spent more time on MySpace yesterday than we did the previous week. After reviewing the basics of MySpace I asked the group why they thought MySpace was so popular. They gave some great responses.
1. It is empowering.
2. Kids can define themselves in the way they want to instead of being defined and classified by others.
3. Kids who are shy in real life feel more free to express themselves.
I love the interaction we have in these training sessions.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Youth and Video Games
The Pew Internet & American Life Project is a great source for reliable information about Internet use in America. One of their latest reports is Teens, Video Games and Civics.
This reports shows virtually ALL of American teenagers play video games and at least half of them play games on any given day. I'll confess, I'm not a big gamer. I like Solitaire, the original Mario games, and Brain Age on the Nintendo DS. I tried World of Warcraft but I don't think it is something I'll spend much time with.
This new report shows that for most teens, playing games is a social event. They play with others. This report dispels the myths of gamers being socially isolated and games having no redeeming value. I encourage you to take a look.
This reports shows virtually ALL of American teenagers play video games and at least half of them play games on any given day. I'll confess, I'm not a big gamer. I like Solitaire, the original Mario games, and Brain Age on the Nintendo DS. I tried World of Warcraft but I don't think it is something I'll spend much time with.
This new report shows that for most teens, playing games is a social event. They play with others. This report dispels the myths of gamers being socially isolated and games having no redeeming value. I encourage you to take a look.
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