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WELSTech Audio episodes

  • 507 – Three Steps to Safety

    WELSTech’s summer ministry resource focus continues, this week with a discussion of tech safety practices which churches, schools, and individuals would be wise to adopt. Other chatter covers ideas for working with volunteers, coffee-table ready photo books, and a Pinterest posting suggestion which has Martin dumbfounded. All this with a side of mustard!

    The discussion:

    Don’t sing the blues – Martin shares important tech safety practices which organizations and individuals should adopt in Let’s Be Safe Out There…In Three Easy Steps.

    Picks of the week:
    • 10 Things You Can’t Expect from Church Volunteers
    • Google Photo Books
    • Community feedback:
      • What It Feels Like, Sometimes
      • Social Media Cheat Sheet
      • Featured video:

        Get a behind-the-scenes Finalweb 2 Introduction, the newest addition to the WELSTech Product Demo playlist on YouTube.

        Coming up on WELSTech:

        Episode 508 – Martin and Sallie are broadcasting from WELS’ 64th Biennial Synod Convention in at Luther Preparatory School in Watertown, WI. Release date: Wednesday, August 2.

        Get involved:
        • Add a comment
        • Send us an e-mail [email protected]
        • Add to the WELSTech wiki welstechwiki.gapps.wels.net
        • Contribute to the #WELSTech Twitter conversation
        • Follow us on Twitter – welstech, mspriggs and salliedraper
        • Share with the Diigo group welstech
        • Join the WELSTech community:
          • WELSTech Google Group
          • WELSTech on Facebook
          • WELSTech on Google+
          • WELSTech on Pinterest
          • WELSTech on Instagram
          • 42 min
          • 506 – Robot Ministry

            This week on WELSTech Sallie shares the details of a robotics camp she and Kevin ran last week. Chromebook tips and classroom screen sharing round out a show focused on education…and ministry.

            The discussion:

            iBot, uBot, mBot – Sallie shares her recent Robot Camp experience and how the format can be replicated in church or school settings.

            Picks of the week:
            • 20 Tips Every First-Time Chromebook User Should Know
            • Airplay: The Ultimate Guide
            • Community feedback:
              • USB Type-C and USB 3.1 Explained
              • All Things USB 3.1 and USB Type-C
              • Doc to Form – Google Docs add-on
              • Featured video:

                This week we feature one of the most popular videos ever from Your Time of Grace – 4 Tips For Reading Your Bible – on the WELSTech Instructional playlist on YouTube.

                Coming up on WELSTech:

                Episode 507 – Martin is up to bat in the summer ministry resources series. Tune in. It’s sure to be a tech home run for your ministry! Release date: Wednesday, July 26.

                Get involved:
                • Add a comment
                • Send us an e-mail [email protected]
                • Add to the WELSTech wiki welstechwiki.gapps.wels.net
                • Contribute to the #WELSTech Twitter conversation
                • Follow us on Twitter – welstech, mspriggs and salliedraper
                • Share with the Diigo group welstech
                • Join the WELSTech community:
                  • WELSTech Google Group
                  • WELSTech on Facebook
                  • WELSTech on Google+
                  • WELSTech on Pinterest
                  • WELSTech on Instagram
                  • 39 min
                  • 505 – It’s All About The Docs

                    This week on WELSTech we take a deep dive into the topic of cloud storage, focusing on the reasons to consider migrating your church and school contents to the cloud as well as a few potential gotchas to be aware of if you do. Other mentions on this episode include Google Maps location sharing and a brand new ebook on social media ministry.

                    The discussion:

                    Sing it with me – Martin shares insights into the benefits and gotchas of online document storage and management for churches and schools in his recent post on Cloud Storage.

                    Picks of the week:
                    • peg + cat – Math fun for ages 3-6 from PBS Kids
                    • Google Maps: Share Location
                    • Community feedback:
                      • Download the new Social Media Ministry Made Easy ebook from the Mobile Ministry Forum
                      • Experience the interactive Explore the Bible online Bible study from WhatAboutJesus.com
                      • WELSTech Google Group
                      • Featured video:

                        Tech-for-the-win as an ostrich experiences virtual reality in Samsung Official TVC: Ostrich, a new add to the WELSTech Presentation/Teaching Videos playlist on YouTube.

                        Coming up on WELSTech:

                        Episode 506 – Tune in for tips on teaching kids to code. Release date: Wednesday, July 19.

                        Get involved:
                        • Add a comment
                        • Send us an e-mail [email protected]
                        • Add to the WELSTech wiki welstechwiki.gapps.wels.net
                        • Contribute to the #WELSTech Twitter conversation
                        • Follow us on Twitter – welstech, mspriggs and salliedraper
                        • Share with the Diigo group welstech
                        • Join the WELSTech community:
                          • WELSTech Google Group
                          • WELSTech on Facebook
                          • WELSTech on Google+
                          • WELSTech on Pinterest
                          • WELSTech on Instagram
                          • 37 min
                          • 504 – I Remember Those Funny Codes

                            WELSTech’s summer series, featuring Ministry Resources, continues this week. Apple makes an interesting move which causes us to take another look at the QR Codes for church and school communication. We also bring you good news regarding sharing Google Photo libraries as well as repurposing sermon content in creative ways.

                            The discussion:

                            Point and shoot – The release of the latest version of Apple’s mobile operating system, iOS 11, includes a camera update to recognize QR (Quick Response) Codes natively. Perhaps it’s time to take a second look at Communicating with QR Codes.

                            Picks of the week:
                            • 50 Smartest Companies in 2017
                            • Share your Google Photos library
                            • Community feedback:
                              • 11 Steps to Extend the Life of Your Message
                              • Office 365 integration for EdTech [Infographic]
                              • Featured video:

                                Enjoy Koine’s version of Lord, When Your Glory I Shall See, new on the WELSTech Music playlist on YouTube.

                                Coming up on WELSTech:

                                Episode 505 – Tune in for the latest installment of our summer ministry resources series. Release date: Wednesday, July 12.

                                Get involved:
                                • Add a comment
                                • Send us an e-mail [email protected]
                                • Add to the WELSTech wiki welstechwiki.gapps.wels.net
                                • Contribute to the #WELSTech Twitter conversation
                                • Follow us on Twitter – welstech, mspriggs and salliedraper
                                • Share with the Diigo group welstech
                                • Join the WELSTech community:
                                  • WELSTech Google Group
                                  • WELSTech on Facebook
                                  • WELSTech on Google+
                                  • WELSTech on Pinterest
                                  • WELSTech on Instagram
                                  • 31 min
                                  • 503 – Comparing Event Video Notes

                                    On this week’s episode of WELSTech, Martin shares his thoughts on the iPad Pro as a laptop replacement for ministry. There’s also a post-wedding video discussion and some great tips for WELS ed tech leaders on getting started with a 1:1 initiative in your school.

                                    The discussion:

                                    iPads for Ministry – Continuing the summer focus on ministry resources, Martin shares the thoughts behind his recommendation of the 10.5 inch iPad Pro.

                                    Picks of the week:
                                    • Pexels – Free stock videos
                                    • VLC
                                    • Community feedback:
                                      • WELS Google Schools Google+ community
                                      • Ten reasons why technology is vital to education
                                      • Why should computers be used in the classroom
                                      • Troxell Communications, a participating vendor in the ShopWELS program
                                      • 3 Shifts in the Use of Ed Tech
                                      • Featured video:

                                        Ask the Bullet Journalist is this week’s addition to the WELSTech Instructional playlist on YouTube.

                                        Coming up on WELSTech:

                                        Episode 504 – Martin and Sallie return from the long holiday weekend to talk QR codes for ministry. Release date: Wednesday, July 5.

                                        Get involved:
                                        • Add a comment
                                        • Send us an e-mail [email protected]
                                        • Add to the WELSTech wiki welstechwiki.gapps.wels.net
                                        • Contribute to the #WELSTech Twitter conversation
                                        • Follow us on Twitter – welstech, mspriggs and salliedraper
                                        • Share with the Diigo group welstech
                                        • Join the WELSTech community:
                                          • WELSTech Google Group
                                          • WELSTech on Facebook
                                          • WELSTech on Google+
                                          • WELSTech on Pinterest
                                          • WELSTech on Instagram
                                          • 40 min
                                          • 502 – Be Internet Awesome

                                            WELSTech 502 is packed with awesomeness in the form of a new digital citizenship effort from Google for middle- and upper-elementary children. Plus, Sallie has graphic organizer templates, and Martin has helpful gesture shortcuts for Windows 10. Community feedback and a mission update round out the show.

                                            The discussion:

                                            Interland Flyby – Martin and Sallie look at a new release from Google, Be Internet Awesome, that boasts a curriculum and kid-friendly video game which can be used to teach all aspects of digital citizenship.

                                            Picks of the week:
                                            • 30 Free Google Drawings Graphic Organizers
                                              • Instructions
                                              • Drawings – List | Drive Folder
                                              • Windows 10 Three Finger Gestures
                                              • Community feedback:
                                                • Go Green Tool Kit
                                                • Top Tools for Learning 2016
                                                • Equipment Recommendations for FinalWeb Live Streaming
                                                • Featured video:

                                                  From the WELSTech “Likes” list on Vimeo, watch the Summer update from our Latin American outreach efforts through Academia Cristo.

                                                  Coming up on WELSTech:

                                                  Episode 503 – Martin shares ideas on using iPads for ministry. Release date: Wednesday, June 28.

                                                  Get involved:
                                                  • Add a comment
                                                  • Send us an e-mail [email protected]
                                                  • Add to the WELSTech wiki welstechwiki.gapps.wels.net
                                                  • Contribute to the #WELSTech Twitter conversation
                                                  • Follow us on Twitter – welstech, mspriggs and salliedraper
                                                  • Share with the Diigo group welstech
                                                  • Join the WELSTech community:
                                                    • WELSTech Google Group
                                                    • WELSTech on Facebook
                                                    • WELSTech on Google+
                                                    • WELSTech on Pinterest
                                                    • WELSTech on Instagram
                                                    • 36 min
                                                    • 501 – Trello

                                                      With WELSTech number 500 behind them, Martin and Sallie kick off the summer with a series focused around ministry resources. This week is the popular project management tool Trello. Learn how you can manage church and school projects, as well as a wedding! Maybe even just your family vacation.

                                                      The discussion:

                                                      What’s Changed – Martin and Sallie discuss of the many ways to tackle Project Management with Trello. The versatile tool can help you organize and move tasks through to completion, and it’s available on both desktop and mobile.

                                                      Picks of the week:
                                                      • Use Google Forms to Collect Absence Notices
                                                        • Part of Weekly Teacher Tips on Using gForms in the classroom
                                                        • Church 360° Members
                                                        • Community feedback:
                                                          • EdTech book suggestions from WELS Google Groups
                                                            • 50 Things You Can Do With Google Classroom
                                                            • 50 Things to Go Further with Google Classroom – A Student-Centered Approach
                                                            • Invent To Learn – Making, Tinkering, and Engineering in the Classroom
                                                            • Launch – Using Design Thinking to Boost Creativity and Bring Out the Maker in Every Student
                                                            • The Innovator’s Mindset – Empower Learning, Unleash Talent, and Lead a Culture of Creativity
                                                            • Ditch That Textbook – Free Your Teaching and Revolutionize Your Classroom
                                                            • iOS 11 will render older iPhones, iPads and apps obsolete
                                                            • Microsoft to shut down its Docs.com file-sharing site December 15
                                                            • WELS now:

                                                              Enjoy the closing worship of the WELS Worship Conference via live stream beginning Friday, June 16 at 11:30 am Central – livestream.com/welslive

                                                              Featured video:

                                                              From the WELS Schools playlist on YouTube, check out Lakeside Lutheran’s A Capella Choir as they perform this Awesome National Anthem for the Brewers 2017.

                                                              Coming up on WELSTech:

                                                              Episode 502 – Learn about Google’s newest edtech initiative, “Be Internet Awesome.” Release date: Wednesday, June 21.

                                                              Get involved:
                                                              • Add a comment
                                                              • Send us an e-mail [email protected]
                                                              • Add to the WELSTech wiki welstechwiki.gapps.wels.net
                                                              • Contribute to the #WELSTech Twitter conversation
                                                              • Follow us on Twitter – welstech, mspriggs and salliedraper
                                                              • Share with the Diigo group welstech
                                                              • Join the WELSTech community:
                                                                • WELSTech Google Group
                                                                • WELSTech on Facebook
                                                                • WELSTech on Google+
                                                                • WELSTech on Pinterest
                                                                • WELSTech on Instagram
                                                                • 34 min
                                                                • 500 – 500 … And Counting

                                                                  This week we observe WELSTech’s milestone recording of episode 500 with a history making interview. For the first time in 9+ years, Martin and Sallie are in the interviewee chairs as Nicole Balza questions the WELSTech co-hosts about the show history and future. Pastor Mike Hinz also drops by to share information on WELS Daily Devotion. Let the celebration commence!

                                                                  The anniversary celebration:

                                                                  Together with WELSTech – The 500th episode of WELSTech is cause for celebration, including a refreshed website design thanks to webmaster Julie Duran, along with updated music and video imagery. There was even delicious cake shared at the Center for Mission and Ministry.

                                                                  In the recording studio, episode 500 seemed like the perfect time to break new ground on WELSTech by having the interviewers (Martin and Sallie) become the interviewees. Nicole Balza, host of the Together and Heart to Heart video series, is in the driver’s seat and explores a bit of WELSTech history, the community that has grown around the show, favorite memories, and a look at the future of WELSTech.

                                                                  The interview:

                                                                  Reaching out with Daily Devotions – Pastor Mike Hintz, director of WELS Commission on Evangelism, shares the history of WELS Daily Devotions as well as a behind the scenes overview of production of the written and podcast versions of the devotions whose archives are over 3,900 strong and growing.

                                                                  • Subscribe to Daily Devotions
                                                                  • WhatAboutJesus.com
                                                                  • Featured video:

                                                                    From the WELSTech “Like’s” list on Vimeo, enjoy Martin Luther College Choir’s performance of I Will Rise.

                                                                    Coming up on WELSTech:

                                                                    Episode 501 – Join Martin and Sallie for the kickoff of the WELSTech summer focus on Ministry Resources. Release date: Wednesday, June 14.

                                                                    Get involved:
                                                                    • Add a comment
                                                                    • Send us an e-mail [email protected]
                                                                    • Add to the WELSTech wiki welstechwiki.gapps.wels.net
                                                                    • Contribute to the #WELSTech Twitter conversation
                                                                    • Follow us on Twitter – welstech, mspriggs and salliedraper
                                                                    • Share with the Diigo group welstech
                                                                    • Join the WELSTech community:
                                                                      • WELSTech Google Group
                                                                      • WELSTech on Facebook
                                                                      • WELSTech on Google+
                                                                      • WELSTech on Pinterest
                                                                      • WELSTech on Instagram
                                                                      • 37 min
                                                                      • 499 – By The Numbers

                                                                        This week on WELSTech, Pastor Jonathan Hein, Director for the Commission on Congregational Counseling, joins the show to discuss the connection between data and ministry. You might be surprised at the things you can learn about yourself, your church and your ministry just by looking at the numbers.

                                                                        The interview & discussion:

                                                                        Church Data – Pastor Jon Hein from Beautiful Savior in Summerville, SC and the Director of the Commission for Congregational Counseling joins Martin and Sallie to talk about the data of the church en masse as well as individually. And, Martin does show and tell about your congregation’s online statistics in the WELS Online Yearbook & Locator.

                                                                        Countdown to episode 500:

                                                                        Revisit year 9 (2016) of WELSTech (episodes 426 to 477), with favorite productivity and wearable picks.

                                                                        News in tech:

                                                                        USB devices could soon switch over to USB C

                                                                        WELS now:
                                                                        • St Paul’s Church (Jordan, MN) adapts to preaching in a technological world
                                                                        • New Northwestern Publishing House (NPH) web site
                                                                        • Picks of the week:
                                                                          • AGPTeck Wireless Bluetooth In-Car Radio Adapter
                                                                          • ASUS Chromebit
                                                                          • Ministry resources:

                                                                            Notepad++

                                                                            Featured video:

                                                                            New on the WELSTech Promo playlist is the Martin Luther 500th Anniversary of the Reformation.

                                                                            Coming up on WELSTech:

                                                                            Episode 500! – Martin and Sallie make WELSTech history on a special anniversary episode. Release date: Wednesday, June 7.

                                                                            Get involved:
                                                                            • Add a comment
                                                                            • Send us an e-mail [email protected]
                                                                            • Add to the WELSTech wiki welstechwiki.gapps.wels.net
                                                                            • Contribute to the #WELSTech Twitter conversation
                                                                            • Follow us on Twitter – welstech, mspriggs and salliedraper
                                                                            • Share with the Diigo group welstech
                                                                            • Join the WELSTech community:
                                                                              • WELSTech Google Group
                                                                              • WELSTech on Facebook
                                                                              • WELSTech on Google+
                                                                              • WELSTech on Pinterest
                                                                              • WELSTech on Instagram
                                                                              • 35 min
                                                                              • 498 – Classroom Collaboration

                                                                                On WELSTech this week, Jason Schmidt wraps up our edtech school year discussion with a look at the many possibilities technology provides for student and classroom collaboration. We also share an NPH survey on “Being Lutheran,” look at an affordable smart lighting option, and explore automated e-mail to church visitors. Oh, and Chuck Norris makes an appearance!

                                                                                The discussion:

                                                                                Collaboration in the connected classroom – Wrapping up the 2016-17 school year edtech discussions on WELSTech, Martin and Sallie are once again joined by Jason Schmidt, Technology Director for Bennington Public Schools near Omaha, NE. From the New Media Consortium Horizon Report 2016 K-12 Edition, this week’s discussion spotlight is student collaboration. Whether the project makes use of technology or not, and whether it is is face-to-face or spanning the miles, collaboration initiatives need structure and guidelines for success.

                                                                                • 102 Free (or Free-to-Try) Online Collaborative Learning Tools
                                                                                • 10 Collaborative Technology Projects Your Students Will Love!
                                                                                • Help Students Take More Ownership Over Group Work
                                                                                • Countdown to episode 500:

                                                                                  Revisit year 8 (2015) of WELSTech, episodes 374 to 425.

                                                                                  • This was the year of WELSTech Conference 2015. Mark your calendars for our next big event – June 24-27, 2019 Leadership & Technology Conference.
                                                                                  • We recorded our 400th episode LIVE from the conference with the largest WELSTech audience ever!
                                                                                  • Standout picks in 2015 included
                                                                                    • 3D printing
                                                                                    • Inbox by Gmail
                                                                                    • YouTube Red
                                                                                    • Pinboard
                                                                                    • News in tech:

                                                                                      Ikea’s cheap smart lighting

                                                                                      WELS now:

                                                                                      Take the Forward In Christ survey on Being Lutheran

                                                                                      Picks of the week:
                                                                                      • Sphero Education – SPRK+ Power Pack
                                                                                      • How to Create an eBook with Google Slides
                                                                                      • With All Your Heart
                                                                                      • Ministry resources:

                                                                                        Visitor Follow Up With Mailchimp Email Automation

                                                                                        Featured video:

                                                                                        Learn more about Kingdom Workers Apache efforts in this new addition to the WELSTech “Likes” List on Vimeo.

                                                                                        Coming up on WELSTech:

                                                                                        Episode 499 – Martin and Sallie are together at the CMM to say goodbye to the WELSTech 400s. Release date: Wednesday, May 31.

                                                                                        Get involved:
                                                                                        • Add a comment
                                                                                        • Send us an e-mail [email protected]
                                                                                        • Add to the WELSTech wiki welstechwiki.gapps.wels.net
                                                                                        • Contribute to the #WELSTech Twitter conversation
                                                                                        • Follow us on Twitter – welstech, mspriggs and salliedraper
                                                                                        • Share with the Diigo group welstech
                                                                                        • Join the WELSTech community:
                                                                                          • WELSTech Google Group
                                                                                          • WELSTech on Facebook
                                                                                          • WELSTech on Google+
                                                                                          • WELSTech on Pinterest
                                                                                          • WELSTech on Instagram
                                                                                          • 44 min

                                                                                          About WELSTech Audio

                                                                                          From the publisher's feed

                                                                                          WELSTech explores the use of technology to further the spread of the gospel. This show is sponsored by the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS).