Portfolio: Section 5 reflections

1. •how did the reading assignments in this course support your learning? Were they relevant, pertinent, accessible? Which ones would you keep for future versions of this class, and which would you discard?
   

   I really did enjoy the reading assignments of this course. I especially enjoyed reading Here Comes Everybody because it was such a fresh break from the normal theological texts we read for seminary, yet it was incredibly theologically relevant to work in the church. I liked Engaging Technology in Theological Education, but I didn't gain as much from it as it pertains to this course. I think the audience of the book is meant more to be professors of theological education rather than students. It did serve, however, as great rationale for being a part of the MDiv DL program. I think I would even include reading my classmates' blogs as assigned reading material, and from them I have learned much!

   
   

2. •how well did the design of the course support your own learning? Was the structure of the class clear? Did the assignments support your skill development? How would you improve the course design?
   

   I loved the design of this course. I felt ready to hit the ground running after reading/watching the pre-assignments before class started on campus. The structure was very clear. Stretching the blogs and assignments out over a longer period of time allowed for more incubation of the course material. If possible, I would add at least one more day of class on campus. I learned much in those two days and would have enjoyed more time for that.

   
   

3. •what do you think future students should know about EL1515 to survive, or better yet, to flourish during the class?
   

4. I would encourage all future EL1515 students to arrive with an open mind. Unfortunately there are many people in our churches that doubt the profound ministry opportunities that technology and social media can provide. Come with an open mind and be willing to experiment in new ways of taking part in God's mission.

   
   

   •how have your experiences in this class shaped your future teaching practice, if at all? How have they shaped your role as a learner in other settings, if at all?

   This course has completely opened my eyes to the importance of using social media to stay connected with parishioners of all ages. I've been using e-mail, Facebook and texting to stay connected with youth and their parents for years, but not until experiencing with the ideas from this course did I realize the amazing potential and relevancy that social media has for staying connected with a congregation. The projects that I began while taking part in this class will not end when the course ends, and I look forward to continue to experience with new ideas, too.