Digital World and Formation

This worksheet helps you in the general understanding of your exposure to Digital Media and sets you on a path to reflect on a positive presence in Digital Media, especially in the context of formation.

Name *

First

Last

Mobile Number

Email *

1. How familiar are you with using digital media (social media, messaging apps, blogs) in your personal and professional life? *

Not familiar at all
Somewhat familiar
Fairly familiar
Very familiar

This question helps gauge the baseline familiarity of formators with digital media. It will highlight varying levels of digital literacy within the group. This will allow us to identify those who might need more support in navigating the digital world, particularly in engaging with students effectively.

2. Do you think digital technology helps or hinders personal relationships in the formation house? *

Mostly helps
Mostly hinders
Both help and hinder
Unsure

This question invites reflection on how technology influences interpersonal relationships in formation. It explores whether formators see technology as a tool that enhances or disrupts the sense of community and fraternity.

3. How comfortable are you discussing the topic of Artificial Intelligence (AI) with students in formation? *

Not comfortable at all
Somewhat comfortable
Fairly comfortable
Very comfortable

This question assesses how confident formators feel when discussing the increasingly relevant topic of AI with their students. This question helps us determine if formators need additional resources or training to engage meaningfully in conversations about AI’s role in society and spirituality.

4. Have you encountered challenges in guiding students who are overly dependent on social media or technology? *

Yes
No
Not yet, but I anticipate this challenge
Unsure

This question identifies whether formators have already encountered issues related to social media or technology addiction, and how equipped they feel to address these challenges in formation. The responses will provide insight into whether further training or discussion is needed to help manage these dependencies.

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5. How often do you personally use digital tools (e.g., online resources, apps) in your spiritual life or ministry? *

Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Often

This question assesses how formators view technology as either a complement or a challenge to their own spiritual practices. It will help us understand whether they see digital media as a tool for evangelization, formation, or personal growth, or sceptical about its role in spiritual life.

6. In your opinion, is there a digital divide between students from urban and rural backgrounds in your formation house? *

Yes, a significant divide
Yes, but not too significant
No, they are more or less equal
Unsure

This question will help us understand how formators perceive the digital divide and whether it impacts the learning and spiritual experiences of students from diverse backgrounds, highlighting areas where more equitable access to resources might be needed.

7. How has the rise of digital media and artificial intelligence influenced the way you engage with seminarians or religious in formation? *

This question encourages you to reflect on how the rise of technology has impacted your approach to spiritual and educational engagement with those in formation. The goal is to identify the positive and negative aspects of technology's influence on pastoral and educational practices.

8. What are the unique challenges you encounter when accompanying seminarians or religious who are digital natives, and how do you help them maintain focus on their vocation amidst digital distractions? *

This question invites reflection on the unique characteristics of digital natives and the challenges they face. You can discuss how you navigate these challenges to help those in formation remain focused on their spiritual growth and discernment in a tech-heavy world.

9. How can the formation houses embrace the benefits of digital technology for evangelization and ministry, while ensuring that deep, personal connections remain at the centre of formation? *

This question challenges you to think about how the formation houses can introduce and use digital tools without sacrificing the personal, relational aspects that are core to spiritual formation.

10. How does the digital divide affect seminary formation in different regions, particularly between rural and urban settings, and how can formators address this divide? *

This question focuses on the disparities in access to technology and digital literacy between rural and urban seminarians, encouraging you to think about equitable solutions for formation across regions with varying technological resources.

11. What should be the Church’s role in guiding young people in navigating the ethical challenges of the digital world, particularly regarding artificial intelligence and data privacy? *

This question challenges you to reflect on the Church's role in equipping seminarians with the ethical framework necessary to navigate the challenges posed by AI, data privacy, and the rapid evolution of digital technologies.

Digital World and Formation

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