1) Video clips–Bringing in video clips is an easy way to engage multiple learning styles and give a bit of variety. You don’t need a huge projector or any special equipment. People can gather around a laptop or tablet for a video clip. If your church has a projector you can borrow, great! Use it! Show clips from a DVD, Hulu, Netflix, YouTube, or anywhere else you can find them. You don’t want to violate copyright, so check out the rules around that.
2) Special speakers–Using Skype, Google Hangout, or any other video or voice software churches can bring in speakers from anywhere in the world with an internet connection. What a great way to keep in contact with mission co-workers in other countries, young adults away at college, or youth groups on mission trips not to mention all the different teachers you could bring into your classroom. Many authors, pastors, and professors would be happy to speak with Sunday school classes over this technology. It never hurts to ask.
3) Conversations during the week–Your class could establish a Facebook group or a hashtag to continue conversations throughout the week. This could be a way for members of the class who weren’t there a certain Sunday morning or Wednesday evening to catch up before the next meeting. You may even find others outside of the class are happy to chime in the conversation. If you only want the members of the class to be a part of a discussion, lock down your Facebook group or start a forum where you have to register before posting.
Have you used social media as part of a Christian education class? Tell us about it in the comments!