Alternatively, you can access the Pinterest version of this page here.
There are a wide variety of approaches to integrating the use of ICT into Religious classes. Use the links below to navigate to just a few of these ideas:
Click here to access the student portal/version of this page (opens in a new window).
CathKids: Sunday Gospel Interactive Units
Regardless of whether your staff attend Sunday Mass services, the CathKids interactive units (for IWB, iOS or Android) are are the perfect resource for teachers and students to discuss and interact with each Sunday's Gospel.
Each weekly interactive unit contains:
When purchasing the annual subscription, users also receive:
Watch the video below, download the sample units and then subscribe here.
Each weekly interactive unit contains:
- An animated video retelling of the Sunday Gospel
- Stimulus material to guide student exploration of the weekly theme
- A simple craft activity to focus their response
- A short prayer liturgy.
When purchasing the annual subscription, users also receive:
- CathKids Weekly – a weekly email with teacher resources and quick links to the member content area
- Access to four weeks ahead for planning.
Watch the video below, download the sample units and then subscribe here.
A free sample of CathKids can be downloaded below.
Click here to view the current price of a calendar year's subscription (the price decreases as the year progresses).
Click here to view the current price of a calendar year's subscription (the price decreases as the year progresses).
The file for PC & Mac is a Zip file. To retrieve the PDF save the zip file to your computer and click to open.
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This free iPad sample is a PDF file not an app. Adobe Reader will not provide full interactivity. You have two options:
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This free iPad sample is a PDF file not an app. Adobe Reader will not provide full interactivity. You have three options:
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Online Bibles: A Heavenly Source
To prepare students to embrace the study of Religion in this technological world, students should be taught how to locate, understand and use a relevant online Bible.
Bible Study Tools Online presents teachers and students with avenues via an internet browser or an app (iOS only) to search various Bible versions (e.g. Catholic and Christian schools can use the online New Revised Standard Bible). Online Bibles can be handy for teachers and students when trying to locate a particular verse, quote or stories involving certain people in the Bible or actions.
Bible Study Tools Online was used as part of a senior years classroom unit on prayer (download a sample copy here).
At the beginning of the unit, students were asked to share whether they prayed, when they prayed, how they prayed and what they prayed for.
After the students had shared how prayer was present in their lives, the different types of prayer were discussed (e.g. petition, praise, etc.).
At the beginning of the unit, students were asked to share whether they prayed, when they prayed, how they prayed and what they prayed for.
After the students had shared how prayer was present in their lives, the different types of prayer were discussed (e.g. petition, praise, etc.).
To then make comparisons between the role prayer plays in the lives of the students and the life, times and teachings of Jesus, students were then asked to use the online New Revised Standard Bible to locate references in the Gospels that discussed Jesus' teachings on prayer and how, when and why prayer played a role in the life of Jesus (e.g. when he prayed, who he prayed with, what kinds of prayers he prayed) - download a sample of their research here.
This task would have been highly difficult if students were given a hard copy of the Bible.
This task would have been highly difficult if students were given a hard copy of the Bible.
To then make comparisons between the role prayer plays in the lives of the students and the role prayer plays in the life of one of the worlds most (in)famous Christians Justin Bieber, the students watched the powerful video clip of 'Pray' sung by Justin Bieber.
The students then discussed what Justin Bieber prays for.
The students then discussed what Justin Bieber prays for.
‘I prayed for twenty years but received no answer until I prayed with my legs.’
(Frederick Douglas, Escaped slave)
(Frederick Douglas, Escaped slave)
Justin Bieber's 'Pray' is also a rallying call for helping people in need. Thus the notion of active prayer was introduced, communicating that whilst we can pray for people who are in need that sometimes we should get up and do it ourselves, instead of praying for it to happen and being disappointed when it does not.
The students' end of lesson reflections revealed that the video had stirred their emotions as the visual imagery of people in need acted as a rallying call. Thus the initial lesson lead wonderfully into the next stage of the prayer unit: 'Prayer & Responsibility' and a side unit on 'Social Justice'.
The students' end of lesson reflections revealed that the video had stirred their emotions as the visual imagery of people in need acted as a rallying call. Thus the initial lesson lead wonderfully into the next stage of the prayer unit: 'Prayer & Responsibility' and a side unit on 'Social Justice'.
Units Delivered via Interactive Whiteboards, Projectors or One-To-One Devices: Two Approaches
By now the use of IWBs, projectors or one-to-one devices (such as laptops or tablets) to deliver the whole class teaching of Religion should be common place. There are two strategies that can be useful when designing religious presentations:
A Visual Literacy Approach
Design presentations that contain rich visual imagery (images and videos) and minimal text, allowing students to combine what the teacher is discussing with the visual image(s) to hopefully take more learning from the class instruction and discussion.
The elimination of detailed text simply allows the students to concentrate on the theme(s), message(s) or learning objective(s) and also prevents teachers from simply re-reading what is on an IWB/projector.
Design presentations that contain rich visual imagery (images and videos) and minimal text, allowing students to combine what the teacher is discussing with the visual image(s) to hopefully take more learning from the class instruction and discussion.
The elimination of detailed text simply allows the students to concentrate on the theme(s), message(s) or learning objective(s) and also prevents teachers from simply re-reading what is on an IWB/projector.
A Balanced & Powerful Combination
Design rich and meaningful units that show a planned and considered approach, that reduce teacher-talk and promote class discussion of the text and images presented on an IWB.
Download an example of a balanced presentation, a sample of the prayer unit discussed above, here.
These balanced presentations should contain:
For further assistance, download the following comprehensive guide to Embedding ICT @ Secondary: Use of interactive whiteboards in Religious Education.
Design rich and meaningful units that show a planned and considered approach, that reduce teacher-talk and promote class discussion of the text and images presented on an IWB.
Download an example of a balanced presentation, a sample of the prayer unit discussed above, here.
These balanced presentations should contain:
- A starter activity
- Introduction to new learning / continued development of ongoing learning
- A reflection/plenary.
For further assistance, download the following comprehensive guide to Embedding ICT @ Secondary: Use of interactive whiteboards in Religious Education.
Music Videos With Religious Links
There are a number of modern day songs that can be analysed during religious lessons. Contained below are just a few:
Justin Bieber - Pray
To compare the role that prayer plays in the lives of students to that of one of the worlds most (in)famous Christians, Justin Bieber, watch the powerful music video 'Pray' sung by Justin Bieber.
Task:
Discuss with a partner, teacher or parent what Justin Bieber prays for.
‘I prayed for twenty years but received no answer until I prayed with my legs.’
(Frederick Douglas, Escaped slave) - Justin Bieber's 'Pray' is a rallying call for the need for you to help people in need. Whilst we can pray for people who are in need that sometimes we should get up and do it ourselves, instead of praying for it to happen and being disappointed when it does not.
Task:
Discuss with a partner, teacher or parent what Justin Bieber prays for.
‘I prayed for twenty years but received no answer until I prayed with my legs.’
(Frederick Douglas, Escaped slave) - Justin Bieber's 'Pray' is a rallying call for the need for you to help people in need. Whilst we can pray for people who are in need that sometimes we should get up and do it ourselves, instead of praying for it to happen and being disappointed when it does not.
Guy Sebastian - Get Along
Guy Sebastian's Get Along spreads a message that people from different cultures and religions should come together and 'get along'. instead of participating in the ongoing damage inflicted by religious, cultural and racial intolerance.
Task:
Watch the video and make notes on the:
Download the lyrics here.
Task:
Watch the video and make notes on the:
- visual imagery
- message of the song.
Download the lyrics here.
Coldplay - Viva La Vida
'Viva La Vida' is Spanish and translates to 'Live The Life'. The lyrics to "Viva la Vida" contain many Biblical references.
Task:
For example, according to Wikipedia:
Download the lyrics here.
Task:
- Listen to the song and note down Christian/Catholic references that you hear
- Use an online Bible to search for any Biblical references from the song.
For example, according to Wikipedia:
- "I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing" and "Roman Cavalry choirs are singing" could relate to a death/mourning of the people
- "... my head upon a silver plate" refers to the beheading of St. John the Baptist
- "I know Saint Peter won't call my name" refers to St. Peter guarding the gates of Heaven (Matthew 16:19 and Revelation 20). St. Peter won't be calling his name because "there never was an honest word and that was when I ruled the world" is suggestive of the popular belief that all wrongdoers will be condemned to eternity in Hell
- "pillars of sand" is a reference to the biblical parable given by Jesus about the fool who built his house on sand, and the wise man who built it on solid rock, while "pillars of salt" is a reference to Lot's wife, who was turned into a pillar of salt.
- 'Be my mirror, my sword and shield' may be a reference to the Bible (word of God) as it is referred to as a sword in Ephesians 6:17 and as a mirror in James 1:23.
Download the lyrics here.
Other Songs
More songs with religious references include:
More songs with religious references include:
- Alanis Morissette - What If God Was One of Us
- Golden Quartet - Go Down Moses (Let My People Go)
- Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men - One Sweet Day
- Swedish House Mafia feat. John Martin - Don't You Worry Child.