It still has to look good.

As I consider the wondrous world of technology and all of the cool new ways teachers and students can use free software on the internet to make cool stuff (like blogs!), I am aware that simply having something neat to say is not enough.  There still has to be an element of good design and aesthetics.  To me, that means taking time to make sure the images you use, the font you choose, and the overall layout of your content must be visually appealing.  It has to capture your imagination.  I have a connection from my previous work in youth ministry.

Most churches are looking to grow their membership and it is commonly held belief that the best way to do this is to attract young people.  And the belief about how to capture young people is that they like all things technology.  So, the effect of this thinking on church decision making became using technology to continue doing what you've always done (like using an lcd projector to display power point slides to hymns on a drop down screen) is what the young people are looking for.  Obviously, this simplistic view of the power of technology is flawed.  It is not the presence of technology that gives content an appeal, but technology enables a dynamic and rich presentation of compelling information.  Technology must be secondary to the message.