Date of Award

4-2011

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

Department

Seminary

Abstract

Current methods of teaching United Methodist confirmation classes are printheavy, technology-light, and therefore ineffective in reaching their intended audience. A new, interactive, web-based curriculum that would incorporate 21st century tools would do a better job. Umconfirmation.com is such a tool, and this paper will show why. Other proposed solutions include the use of the confirmation curriculum, Claim the Name1 , offered by Cokesbury, the Journey to Discipleship2 curriculum, written by two United Methodist pastors, or the We Believe3 curriculum, published by Bristol House. Claim the Name offers a "Multimedia Teaching Tool,"4 which features slide shows, dramas, and a "claymation" video entitled, Clayride: A Gallop Through United Methodist History. While the material offered in the aforementioned curricula is solid and well written, it is presented in a linear, top-down format. An interactive, web-based curriculum is a better fit for the Millennial Generation. Millennials were born into "the digital age."5 They "spend an average of four to six hours per day interacting with mass media in various forms."6 Technology is not only "what Millennials do," but "who they are." The most effective teachers, therefore, will be those who effectively appropriate today's technology in order to facilitate the learning process. The artifact that I am proposing is a website: UMconjirmation.com. This site will be utilized by teachers of United Methodist confirmation classes, confirmation students, and the parents or mentors of the students. Weekly video lessons on the student page will be followed by a quiz to check for understanding. There will also be daily readings with corresponding daily videos, as well as a daily web journal for the students. Parents and teachers will be able to access the weekly readings and lessons on their page, and the teacher will be able to keep track of students' quiz scores and web journals via an administrative dashboard. The website is not meant to be a substitute for weekly face-to face interaction between students, teachers, parents or mentors. Rather, it is meant to enhance and facilitate the learning process.

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