The Circuit Riders Bible Computer Lab
Arborlawn United Methodist Church
Ft. Worth Texas
Spring 2010

An Intro from Neil, Sunday Software

Bob "R.E." and Nellie Miller have been computer lab teachers and Sunday Software customers since 2001. And as you can see by their photo on the right, they still have a sense of humor! 

For many years I have been regularly corresponding with them not only about software, but about lessons and kids, and about R.E.'s determined attitude about any technical issue he might encounter.

You see, Bob is a retired aerospace engineer, and has been a computer user since the days of the early Apple and Atari 800.

Nellie is also quite computer literate, ...and has worked in all areas of children’s ministries for many years.

Some of the computers R.E. and Nellie have put into service have been hand-me-downs and rebuilds, which have presented some tough technical challenge for us and the Millers. But from a Tech Support standpoint, R.E. is the perfect lab customer. He is as unwilling as we are to take "no" for an answer from the computer! Some of the tech advice found at our site comes right out of Bob's wrestling matches.

They are also willing to test drive any program, and great about giving feedback. Several updates we've made in our software have come from customers like R.E. and Nellie.

But what makes "R.E." really unique is that he is now 82 years old.

Nellie writes...

I think Robert may be one of a kind – do you know any other 82 year old computer lab techies?  And it isn’t just the computer lab – many Sundays someone will come get him to help with a problem with the projector in the movie room or the video camera in the Drama room.   He started his engineering career with a slide rule on his belt and happily progressed to a proficient self-taught computer user.  His family thinks it weird that his pleasure reading includes computer manuals.  But we appreciate being able to call on him for help.  He fearlessly tries things he doesn’t really know how to do – with occasional “oops” moments. 

Neil, your consistent, patient and prompt responses have helped him through many frustrating times.  We are so grateful for the good computer material and teaching aids that you provide.  Our curriculum team could not have the quality lessons that we have without it.   

The normal staffing during a session is a teacher, a shepherd for the age group, and myself as needed.  We always have handouts with screen dump pictures and text to help the kids navigate the programs. Of course, we work with them as they go through the programs.  Class sizes range from 6 – 12 children.

Bob's Observations...

The most difficult thing is getting suitable software. Today’s children (we have 1^st thru 5^th grade) are for the most part experienced users and are exposed to stunning graphics in various commercial game software.  However, most of the children seem willing to work through the available programs with interest. I can say with no reservations that without Sunday Software programs and technical assistance, we could not operate successfully since I have seen nothing comparable. We sometimes write Power Point presentations with information and question games using hyperlinks, but only in the absence available software. 

The kids are partial to Galilee Flyer, Bongo, and Interactive Parables. I think those are my favorite programs also. We also like the Baseball program because it is possible to put in sets of questions that are pertinent to the lesson.  If there Is a little free time at the end of class, many of the girls choose Kids Pix. We also use Word Search and Hangman to keep some words before them when programs are short. 

The Computer Lab and Movie Theater (in their Rotation Model Sunday School) are consistently the kid’s favorites.  We have never had anyone ask “Is it time to go yet?”  I love it when parents have to come pry them away to go to worship.    

Bob and Nellie's Teaching Tips:

To have a successful computer lab program, you must have:

• A source of computers, a person, or persons, willing to spend time keeping computers running, updated, etc.

• You need the help of at least one person to select software, write outlines, etc. who is willing to teach, or train teachers to use the programs.  They must be willing to spend a lot of time deciding what to teach and how to get it across to the kids.

• We have found your teacher outlines, tech notes, etc. to be a valuable resource and would recommend them highly to someone starting out.

• We have found it worthwhile to spend class time before going to the computers to look at the pertinent Bible sections with the children and to show how they fit into the lesson.

• A summary discussion after the computer work is also quite useful.   

• I strongly recommend purchasing new computers if possible when starting a new lab.  Use Neil’s suggestions for the system requirements. This will ease the job of the computer person considerably. 

Thank you Bob and Nellie, and the Arborlawn United Methodist Church!

For more info about their church, go to http://arborlawnumc.org