This week the WELSTech Podcast summer WELS Hacker series kicks off with a discussion of Windows 7 Libraries and free eBooks.

Wearing a White Hat – Today marks the beginning of the summer WELS Hacker series.  Martin and Sallie share tips, tricks and helpful hacks on their blogs and discuss them on these abbreviated podcasts.  The inaugural topics include

(19:55) Episode 188 – The summer WELS Hacker series continues as we look at Google Reader and photo organization. (Release date – 06/15/11)

(20:29) We close the podcast with the music of Corban Creek – Psalm 46 from their CD titled “Could It Be Me”

This week on the WELSTech Podcast we tour the new and improved ShopWELS site and talk with Tim Plath about distance ed for high schoolers.

ShopWELS relaunch – The ShopWELS group-purchasing program for WELS organizations and members is getting a face-lift today.  Join Martin and Sallie as we tour the re-designed web site and discuss the exciting deals which are available through the program.  Everything from copiers to office supplies and church organs the cell phone carriers is discounted!

(16:21) ALHSO – Here’s another acronym to add to your list.  ALHSO stands for Area Lutheran High Schools Online.  Tim Plath, principal of Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School in New Ulm, MN and Chairman of the ALHSO Administrative Committee talks with Martin and Sallie about the new distance ed program which will begin this fall.

(53:19) Episode 187 – We kick off our summer WELS Hacker series, featuring a discussion of tips and “how-to” blog posts from Martin and Sallie. (Release date – 06/08/11)

(55:25) We close the podcast with the music of Michael Schroeder (www.michaelschroeder.com and on Facebook)- A Witness from his CD with the same title

This week on the WELSTech Podcast Gail Potratz joins the discussion as we look at summer professional development opportunities.

Make a Plan – As the school year wraps up Gail Potratz, the WELSTech semi-regular classroom technology correspondent from Emanuel in New London, WI, joins Martin and Sallie to discuss ideas for summer enrichment, professional growth and even a little relaxation.

(47:05) Episode 186 – Martin and Sallie unveil the updated ShopWELS site as well as a chat with Tim Plath about the Area Lutheran High School Online pilot project. (Release date – 06/01/11)

(48:22) We close the podcast with the music of Mike Westendorf (www.mikewestendorf.com and mikewestendorf on Twitter) – Coming Soon from his CD titled “Undefined”

This week the WELSTech Podcast round table welcomes Apple “Geniuses” Bob Martens and Aaron Spriggs.

A bite of the Apple – Bob Martens and Aaron Spriggs, true Apple fan-boys, cozy up to the podcast microphone to chat with Martin and Sallie about the variety of products available from Apple and the many uses Apple products have in schools and churches.

(39:35) Google announces Chromebook

(48:28) Episode 185 – Gail Potratz, our classroom technology diva, joins Martin and Sallie, and we talk about our summer plans for professional development and geeky fun. (Release date – 05/25/11)

(49:01) We close the podcast with the music of Stephen Bautista (www.stephenbautistamusic.com or stephenbautista on Twitter) – Suddenly from his CD titled “Abandon”

This week on the WELSTech Podcast we finish our current book discussion and chat with Greg Boggs about school privacy solutions.

It’s a wrap! – Martin and Sallie finish up their discussion of the current book selection, Leading 21st Century Schools by Lynne Schrum and Barbara B. Levin, with a look at chapters 8 and 9 of the book.  Topics include privacy, acceptable use policies, web site evaluation and the digital divide.

(21:45) Ask the expert – Greg Boggs, a member of St. Mark in Lincoln, NE, joins Martin and Sallie to share his experience with school network content filtering as well as wireless security concerns.

(1:06:45) Episode 184 – On the menu is “All Things Apple” as Martin and Sallie are joined by Apple Geniuses, Bob and Aaron, to talk about ministry uses of Apple products. (Release date – 05/18/11)

(1:07:59) We close the podcast with the music of Kevin Loersch – Children of the Heavenly Father from his CD titled “Abide With Me”

This week on the WELSTech Podcast we share the tech talk from last week’s 2011 WELS Conference of Staff Ministers.

Lots of intersections – Martin and Sallie recap the recent Staff Minister Conference and the various discussions they led for the multi-talented, multi-vocational audience.  It’s neat to see how technology is a thread which crosses the variety of ministry paths in which Staff Ministers are involved.

(32:30) Delicious lives

(43:57) Episode 183 – We wrap up the current book discussion with a focus on privacy, reviewing chapters 8 & 9 of Leading 21st Century Schools. (Release date – 05/11/11)

(44:40) We close the podcast with the music of Crosswalk Lutheran Ministries – You Are My World from their CD titled “Crosswalk Lutheran Ministries”

This week the WELSTech Podcast “April Shower” series concludes as Gail Potratz from New London, WI assists with the extensive list of teacher resources.

Raining resources for teachers – We had to call in reinforcements in order to share the many teacher resources that are available!  Gail Potratz, teacher and technology coordinator from Emanuel in New London, WI, joins Martin and Sallie to share some of the many teacher (and student) oriented tech tools.

(51:05) Episode 182 – Join Martin and Sallie as they recap their experience at the 2011 WELS Conference of Staff Ministers being held April 28-30 at Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN.  (Release date – 05/04/11)

(51:43) We close the podcast with music from praise band Koine (www.koinemusic.com | Facebook) – Behold a Host Arrayed in White from their CD titled “Koine II”

This week the WELSTech Podcast “April Shower” rains down all types of resources to make the church and school office run smoothly.

Our apologies for the audio quality during the last 10 minutes of today’s podcast.  We experienced technical difficulties with the recording.

Raining resources for office workers – For this week’s “April Shower”, Martin and Sallie cover a long list of tools to assist the “nerve center” of the congregation and school, the office.

(35:55) Walther’s Law and Gospel is now available for Kindle

(39:36) Concluding the Glo Bible giveaways on our personal blogs (martinspriggs.com and salliedraper.com), Martin and Sallie use random.org to pick winners.  Listen to find out if you are one of the newest Glo Bible owners.

(47:41) FinalWeb Training in New Ulm, MN and Milwaukee, WI

(50:41) Episode 181 – The “April Showers” conclusion may turn into an April storm as Gail Potratz joins the discussion and we share a [gigantic] compilation list of teacher resources.  (Release date – 04/27/11)

(51:30) We close the podcast with the music of  Branches Band (www.branchesband.com |Facebook) – Hosanna, Loud Hosanna from their “Sing, My Tongue” CD

This week on the WELSTech Podcast we share a mega-list of Bible teaching and study resources.

Raining resources for teaching and studying the Bible – Continuing the “April Showers” series, today Martin and Sallie share a master list of the many electronic Bible teaching and studying aids.

(33:00) FinalWeb Training in New Ulm, MN and Milwaukee, WI

(42:54) Episode 180 – The “April Showers” continue as we rain down all sorts of goodies for church and school office workers.  (Release date – 04/20/11)

(43:40) We close the podcast with the music of  Revelation, a music ministry of Wisconsin Lutheran College (www.revelationwlc.com) – Roll the Stone Away from their “We Walk By Faith” CD

This week on the WELSTech Podcast the “April Showers” series kick-off focuses on all aspects of web site creation.

Raining Resources for your Web Site – Across the 3.5 years of WELSTech archives you will find discussion of a plethora of webmaster tools.  Today Martin and Sallie share all you need to set up and maintain your church or school web site in one (long) list!  Enjoy the rain!!

(48:22) FinalWeb Training in New Ulm, MN and Milwaukee, WI

(55:30) Episode 179 – Get ready for an “April Shower” of Bible teaching resources.  (Release date – 04/13/11)

(56:50) We close the podcast with the music of Dawn Michelle Williams (www.dawnmichellewilliams.com | Twitter | Facebook | My Space) – Beautiful Savior from her CD titled ”Inspirations”