Using Technology to Spread a Message

Yesterday, we talked about teaching verbal skills to a generation who loves technology as their means of communication.  How do take the benefits of technology to reach those students?  Here is a simple concept:

Take a quick picture relating to the lesson you want to teach.  Send the picture as a Text Message to your teenagers with a quick note saying, “What do you think?” (yes you can shorten it to “What do u thnk“).  They might be text back, “???” (meaning “About What?“) which is perfect because it opens the door for the conversation to begin.  Get started with a text message and finish the conversation in-person when they got home.  The key to this working is keeping the conversation an open discussion and not full of judgement.  If someone thinks you are trying to “make a point,” he/she is not going to look forward to seeing you in-person.

Picture messaging is also a great way to share NEWS and updates with people who support your mission.  Be careful.  More than once I’ve  made the mistake of being SO EXCITED about a new resource we have that I ended sounding like I was sending a sales pitch (big NO NO).  If you’ve ever received such a communication from me, I apologize.  Sometimes you get so much excitement that you can’t control it.

Here are 2 examples:

BAD EXAMPLE of words to include in a text with the pictures from below:
have you seen the new shirts?  Get one for only $15 (including shipping)

GOOD EXAMPLE of words to include in a text with the pictures from below:
the new shirts are in.  Woo Hoo!

As you can see, the Good Example shares your enthusiasm without pushing an agenda.  Yes, we all make the mistake of pushing an agenda at times (passion does that). Do your best to share your enthusiasm without the PUSH!

Have fun taking pictures and igniting conversations with the students in your life!  Now SHARE by Leaving a Comment on this post of how YOU are going to use texting to spread a message. If you already have accomplished this goal, share what you did and how it worked out. I will personally respond to each comment.

Written by Mike Domitrz on August 11, 2010

Technology verses Words

When teaching verbal skills, many Moms, Dads, and educators continually share how teens would rather text than talk.  To their credit, many teens are fantastic at multi-tasking and quickly absorbing technology uses to fit their lifestyle.  The unfortunate consequence is these skills are happening at the cost of losing one-on-one verbal tools.  What do you do?

Use technology to show the need for verbal communication! Send texts to your teenager which could be interpreted various ways (commonly happens when texting is done frequently).  This way, you are utilizing a medium they love (texting) to bring them to verbally discuss the confusion with you.  I know! I know!  Stop before you say, “The teen may just attempt to text back and say, ‘Explain’(or a slang text phrase in place of the word).”  Then, walk up to your teen and ask them what was confusing.

You OWN the confusion so the conversation is not about them misusing technology.  As you clear up the confusion, subtly ask, “How do you handle it when this happens with friends?  Misunderstanding each other’s texts?  Do you ever just call to clear it up quicker than texting?“

If they say, “No,” follow through with, “Why not? Isn’t talking to your friends a lot of fun?”  Be GENUINE in your approach. No one likes to be lectured to.  Ask because you WANT to know (not just to make YOUR POINT).  The more you understand your teen, the more likely you will be able to connect with him/her verbally!!  Thus being a positive role model for verbal communication.

YOUR TURN: Share how you use TECHNOLOGY to HELP enhance the verbal skills of teens.  Ask us questions based on your own experiences.  I will answer each COMMENT personally!

Written by Mike Domitrz on August 10, 2010

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