WELSTech Audio

It’s edtech week on WELSTech, and we have not one, but two, great additions to this week’s podcast. Drew Willems shares the “State of Technology at Shoreland”  (and simultaneously enrollment numbers likely spike), plus Jason Schmidt guest hosts with Martin and Sallie and talks wireless infrastructure. Martin gives us the rundown on a new Kindle, and Jason shares some enhanced Raspberry Pi.

Chrome Academy wannabes – Shoreland Lutheran High School Technology Director, Drew Willems, talks with Martin and Sallie about their tech initiatives including flipped classrooms, x:1 support of digital devices, training student tech leaders for manning the Chrome Depot, and much more.

Wifi the right way – Setting up wifi to support the needs of multiple users with multiple devices should be the starting point of planning for school and church technology. Martin and guest host Jason Schmidt explain the basic areas for consideration when implementing a wifi network, most importantly that it takes expertise, not just a few generic routers from the local tech-in-a-box store, to do wifi right.

(1:06:25) Episode 328 – The WELSTech book discussion is back as Martin and Sallie look at Chapter 8, “The Church of Google”, from Nicolas Carr’s The Shallows. (Broadcast date – 2/11/14)

(1:07:20) This week enjoy a free music download from WELS artist Chris Driesbach (chrisdriesbach.com) – Modern Evangelist

Tune in to this week’s WELSTech for links galore to help you (and Sallie) get started in a paperless existence. Listen for ideas to begin digitizing both personal and ministry paperwork. Webmasters will appreciate this week’s ministry resources for enhancing search engine optimization. And find out if Martin knows where to find Bible-minded people.

A digital life – Martin and Sallie share ideas for converting the paper we are so fond of filing away into digitized bits and bytes and in the process improving our access to important information, enhancing our stewardship of time and allowing for easy sharing and collaboration.

Episode 327 – Mr. Sunshine, Jason Schmidt, guest hosts with Martin and Sallie on our edtech focused podcast as we talk wireless infrastructure. Drew Willems from Shoreland Lutheran High School is set to share a “state of Shoreland technology” report as well. (Release date – 02/05/14)

This week only, download a free music single from Stephen Bautista (www.stephenbautistamusic.com or stephenbautista on Twitter) – A Brand New Day

We’re broadcasting live from Martin Luther College for this week’s WELSTech. Martin and Sallie are side-by-side with MLC students as they discuss the future of technology in ministry. Live Q&A keeps us on our toes, we find time for an exercise break, plus Martin gets a special surprise.

The students’ perspective – Martin Luther College students Katie Schultz, Joel Hopper, Emily Waldek, Dan Schallert and Jared Natsis talk with Martin and Sallie about ministry and technology and their expectations for future. It turns out that these Millennials surprisingly think “less is more” when it comes to shiny tech.

Get ready for an online interactive Bible study led by WELS President Mark Schroeder on the topic of “I’d like to read the Bible, but …”. The 4-week study begin February 5th at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Eastern time. Learn more and download bulletin inserts and posters to promote the study in your congregation.

Episode 326 – Going paperless is easier than you think! Martin and Sallie share ideas to digitize (and organize) your life. (Release date – 01/29/14)

This week only, download a free music single from WELS musician and staff minister Benhur Khamrang (Reverbnation) – Crown Him With Many Crowns

This week on WELSTech we return to our current book discussion, The Shallows by Nicolas Carr, with a lively discussion of the effects the Internet is having on our ability to get beyond cursory levels of thinking. Musicians will be happy to learn about this week’s ministry resource. There are tips and picks and events and teacher resources shared as well. And, for the first time ever, WELSTech-ers joined the conversation in real time using the Google Hangout Q&A tool!

One thimble at a time – Martin and Sallie debate the points of Chapter 7 of The Shallows by Nicolas Carr, titled “The Juggler’s Brain”. The Internet’s hyperlinks and multi-media coupled with our response to the often-times overwhelming stream of information by multitasking and power-browsing are rewiring our brains and interfering with our ability to process and store meaningful knowledge.  Or perhaps it isn’t that bad?

Defining Technology by Pastor Caleb Bassett, WELS Hymnal Committee Technology Chairmen

Episode 325 – Join us for WELSTech Live from Martin Luther College. Martin and Sallie talk with MLC students about their ideas for tech in their future ministries. (Release date – 01/22/14)

This week only, download a free music single from Cross To Glory (www.facebook.com/crosstoglory) – He Is

Welcome to 2014 WELSTech-ers! Join Martin and Sallie as we begin our 7th year of WELSTech with a discussion of techie new year’s resolutions. Ideas for security, education and passwords are shared as well as some resolutions we’ve made to enhance WELSTech. This episode also includes a user-submitted ministry resource, a Google tip and information on the upcoming interactive Bible study with President Mark Schroeder.

Out with the old – The turn of the calendar traditionally provides the opportunity to reflect and identify areas for improvement. Pastor Rob Guenther from Grace in Kenai, AK shared a free online self-assessment tool from Fire Your Excuses, and Martin and Sallie discuss their tech-related resolutions. Worth noting are dates for upcoming FinalWeb training – July 8 to 11 at the Center for Mission and Ministry in Waukesha, WI.

Changes are even in store for WELSTech:

Get ready for an online interactive Bible study led by WELS President Mark Schroeder on the topic of “I’d like to read the Bible, but …”. The 4-week study begin February 5th at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Eastern time. Learn more and download bulletin inserts and posters to promote the study in your congregation.

Episode 324 – Martin and Sallie discuss chapter 7 of Nicholas Carr’s The Shallows – The Juggler’s Brain. (Release date – 01/15/14)

This week only, download a free music single from WELS artist Mike Westendorf (www.mikewestendorf.com and mikewestendorf on Twitter) – You Are Amazing 

Don’t miss this last WELSTech Podcast of 2013 as Martin and Sallie review the entire year of WELSTech content and share some of their favorite moments. From Pinterest to Bread for Beggars, The Shallows to new smartphones, WELSTech Camp to MathCounts and healthy doses of Google Apps for Education and Chromebooks to boot, the past year didn’t disappoint in terms of tech-in-ministry progress.

What a year – Martin and Sallie look back at 2013, a very full year of WELSTech goodness including memorable interviews, new tech-enhanced ministry efforts, outstanding picks, reviews and episodes and face-to-face meetings with members of the WELSTech community. There were even cupcakes as we celebrated the 300th WELSTech episode. Join us for a trip down memory lane!

(2:30) Favorite events

(49:25) Episode 323 – Join Martin and Sallie as we start year 7 of the WELSTech Podcast with a look ahead at WELSTech in 2014. (Release date – 01/07/14)

(49:49) We continue to celebrate the Christmas season with a free music download from CrossWalk (YouTube | iTunes) – He Is The Life

Celebrate Christmas Eve with a special WELSTech interview.  Martin and Sallie talk with the new president of Northwestern Publishing House, Bill Ziche, about his immediate and long range vision for NPH. Merry Christmas WELSTech-ers!

Within WELS and beyond –  Martin and Sallie interview with Bill Ziche, President of Northwestern Publishing House, about his first 6 months on the job and his goal of making NPH relevant today and into the future in hopes of spreading the gospel message to all.

(21:13) Episode 322 – Martin and Sallie head down memory lane to review the best episodes, events, interviews, picks, reviews and more from WELSTech 2013. (Release date – 12/31/13)

(21:45) As a special treat on Christmas Eve, enjoy a free download from pianist Dawn Michelle Williams (www.dawnmichellewilliams.com | Twitter | Facebook) – Away In A Manger

As 2013 winds down, Martin and Sallie share the last regular WELSTech episode of the year with a focus on in-your-pocket mobile technology which reaches all corners of the world and which can be used for personal spiritual growth and to enhance gospel outreach efforts locally and around the world.

(3:42) Worldwide mobile outreach – Pastor Tom Kuster, Director of the Christ in Media Institute (CIMI) at Bethany Lutheran College, talks with Martin and Sallie about their current Christian Smart-Phone Project for world mission mobile outreach.

(20:14) Favorite mobile apps – It’s show-and-tell time as Martin and Sallie share some of their favorite mobile apps, with a focus on those that enhance personal and public ministry efforts. We’d love to hear from you about any of your favorite apps which we failed to mention!

Pastoral

Education

Social

(52:50) Tune in for the streamed Christmas concert, Emmanuel Lux by Koine – December 19 at 7:00 pm via WELS Streams

(1:06:25) Episode 321 – Join Martin and Sallie for the WELSTech Christmas Eve special interview with Bill Ziche, President of Northwestern Publishing House. (Release date – 12/24/13)

(1:07:20) This week enjoy a free Christmas music download from WELS artist Kevin Loersch, arranged by Linda Moeller  – O Come, Little Children

On WELSTech today we look at how ebooks are changing the way we read as we return to our current book discussion of The Shallows by Nicholar Carr. HymnSoft Version 3 was recently released so we talk with folks behind the project and take a look at the software in action. Also there is much to share in the Community Feedback mailbag including a fantastic video that was recently released by Lakeside Lutheran High School. Sallie is dingy, and Martin does something never before done on WELSTech. Don’t miss it!

The great eBook debate – Chapter 6 of Nicholas Carr’s The Shallows, titled “The Very Image of a Book”, is the topic of this month’s book discussion. Martin and Sallie explore the subtle and not so subtle changes that have occurred with the progressive use of eBooks. Which do you prefer – print or eBook format?

(23:06) HymnSoft Version 3 – Carl Nolte, Editor of Sacred Music and Worship at Northwestern Publishing House and Pastor Mike Schultz, Director of the WELS Hymnal Project, share a behind-the-scenes look at the newest version of HymnSoft which includes hymns and worship settings from Christian Worship, Christian Worship Supplement and Occasional Services.

Upcoming streamed Koine Christmas concert via WELS Streams – December 19 at 7:00 pm

(1:15:50) Episode 320 – Martin and Sallie talk mobile apps for ministry and more and Prof. Tom Kuster joins the discussion to share details on this year’s Christ In Media Institute worldwide mobile outreach project. (Release date – 12/17/13)

(1:16:20) Enjoy a free music download from WELS flutist Jeannine Dennis (jeanninedennis.com) – Silent Night

Technology in education isn’t limited to math and science. Today we hear from Gail Potratz with many ideas for integrating technology into the Language Arts classroom. Manitowoc LHS Tech Director, Ryan Rathje, also chats with Sallie and Martin about edtech topics. Turn it up teachers, and let the WELSTech goodness flow!

Language Arts goes techie – Gail Potratz, our semi-regular classroom technology correspondent from Emmanuel in New London, MN, joins Martin and Sallie this week to share ideas for technology integration in the Language Art classroom.

(28:36) Technology for new teachers (and seasoned veterans as well) – Ryan Rathje, Technology Director at Manitowoc Lutheran High School, shares highlights from his recent MLC Convocation presentation to education majors titled “Technology: Harder and Easier Than It Looks”.

(1:06:30) Upcoming streamed Christmas concerts:

(1:07:41) Episode 319 – Tune in for chapter 6 of our current book discussion of Nicholas Carr’s The Shallows as well as the inside scoop on the new edition of HymnSoft with Carl Nolte and Michael Schultz. (Release date – 12/10/13)

(1:09:05) Kick off your Advent with a free music download from WELS pianist Dawn Michelle Williams (www.dawnmichellewilliams.com | Twitter | Facebook) – Carol of the Bells