This week on the WELSTech Podcast we return to our Leading 21st Century Schools book discussion and interview Synapse game developer, Carol Laitinen.

Web 2.0 Tools for the Classroom – Martin and Sallie talk through chapter 3 of Leading 21st Century Schools, the current book discussion.  You can catch up on previous chapters in the podcast archive. In this chapter the book transitions from a theoretical look at the education environment of today to a practical look at some of the leading software resources that students can use for collaboration, communication and creation.

(17:40) Teamwork at the Speed of Laughter – Carol Laitinen from St. John’s in New Ulm, MN joins Martin and Sallie to share the story of the development of her party game, Synapse.

(52:20) View the live video stream of WELS Regional Choral Fest from Manitowoc Lutheran High School at wels.net/streams/live

(57:49) Episode 158 – It’s “Office Administrator’s Week” again on WELSTech as we look at all things related to church newsletters and e-news.  (Release date 11/17/10)

(58:50) This week we feature the music of  Koine (www.koinemusic.com | Facebook) – Built on the Rock from their CD titled ”Koine II”

This week the WELSTech Podcast discussion includes congregation tech topics such as wireless microphones, projection solutions, electronic signs, online social media presence and more.

New Tech in Sleepy Eye – Martin and Sallie review the newest techie additions in Sallie’s congregation, St. John’s in Sleepy Eye, MN.

Tech Planning – Mark Salzwedel, a member of Christ in Eden Prairie, WI, wrote WELSTech because his congregation was looking for direction and contacts to assist with some technology planning they are undertaking.

(32:15) View the live video stream of WELS Regional Choral Fest from Manitowoc Lutheran High School at wels.net/streams/live

(44:55) Episode 157 – WELSTech hits the books as we look at chapter 3 of Leading 21st Century Schools.  (Release date 11/10/10)

(46:05) This week we feature the music of Crosswalk Lutheran Ministries (http://www.crosswalkphoenix.com/worship/music.aspx) – You Are My World from their CD titled ”Crosswalk Lutheran Ministries”

The WELSTech Podcast conversation this week is around fall teachers’ conferences.

TeacherTech – The WELSTech semi-regular classroom technology correspondent, Gail Potratz, from Emanuel in New London, WI joins Martin and Sallie as we recap the recent Minnesota District Lutheran Teachers’ Conference.  Special thanks to Jason Hahn, Beth Fischer, Heidi Horak, Kay Abts, Andrea Hahm, and Justin Krause for adding their voices to today’s podcast!

(43:12) WELS Locator Search geo-location files – Use your GPS or Google Earth to find any WELS church or school in the US & Canada

(55:20) Episode 156 – Martin and Sallie talk about St. John’s, Sleepy Eye, new DIY rear projection screen and new wireless mics.  (Release date 11/03/10)

(56:05) This week we feature the music of Branches Band (www.branchesband.com | Facebook) – Renew Me, O Eternal Light from their CD titled ”Light Eternal”

This week the WELSTech Podcast is again focusing on the work of the church and school office, particularly the job of managing and motivating volunteers.

Happy to help – Continuing the focus on the church and school office, Martin and Sallie share ideas for recruiting volunteers and motivating them to come back for future service.

(17:33) Volunteering for missions – Imagine managing 3,000 volunteers per year. The staff of WELS Kingdom Workers (WKW) including Communication Manager, Neil Hankwitz, do just that. Neil joins Martin and Sallie to share stories from his 18+ years of experience coordinating home and world mission volunteers.  Hear how WKW is planning to “go social” on their updated web site, connecting like-mined volunteers with stories of service in missions.

(30:24) Installment 1 of Martin’s “Facebook for Churches” journey

(43:02) Lectionary on Google Calendar

(55:33) Episode 155 – Gail Potratz joins Martin and Sallie to discuss highlights from the Minnesota and Wisconsin teachers’ conferences.  (Release date 10/27/10)

(56:35) This week we close with the beautiful piano music of Dawn Gehlhar – All through the Night from her CD titled ”Inspirations”

This week on the WELSTech Podcast we return to our monthly book discussion and have the special privilege of talking with one of the authors, Lynne Schrum.

Millennials and Gen Zs – In Chapter 2 of Leading 21st Century Schools by Lynne Schrum and Barbara B. Levin the focus turns to today’s students and teachers and the technology experience and expectations they bring into the classroom.

(13:20) A chat with the author – Lynne Schrum, author of the current WELSTech book selection, joins Martin and Sallie with tips for leaders to help them identify where they are in terms of technology integration and work within the various comfort levels of all types of teachers to provide “just in time” training on the tech tools of today.

(41:05) Google Translate Adds Latin

(1:12:47) Episode 154 – Office workers will want to tune in for next week’s discussion of all things volunteer related.  (Release date 10/20/10)

(1:13:34) This week we close with the music of Revelation, a music ministry of Wisconsin Lutheran College (www.revelationwlc.com) – You Are the God from their CD titled ”Led by the Light”

This week the WELSTech Podcast centers around the effective use of e-mail.

What kind of e-mailer are you? – Is your electronic correspondence short and to the point, prompt, respectful and without error?  Martin and Sallie talk about e-mail best practices and share new ways to use the tool effectively.

(24:48) Create a “Free Bible” page from YouVersion – youversion.com/free-bible

(28:38) Xmarks is going out of business

(38:08) View the Love In Action video series from Special Ministries

(49:00) Episode 153 – We’ll continue our book discussion of Leading 21st Century Schools, looking at chapter 2 and talking with author Lynne Schrum. (Release date 10/13/10)

(49:44) We close the podcast with music from Cross to Glory (www.crosstoglory.com) – The Father’s Song from their CD titled “Life’s Song”

This week WELSTech welcomes back our semi-regular classroom technology correspondent, Gail Potratz, and we talk about technology accountability for teachers.

Technology accountability – After a summer hiatus, Martin and Sallie are happy to welcome back to WELSTech Gail Potratz from Emanuel in New London, WI.  Gail shares her ideas about encouraging teacher technology proficiencies and discusses the plan they will follow in her school this year.

(21:12) Information Literacy – Dr. Bernard Bull, Assistant Professor of Education at Concordia University Wisconsin in Mequon, WI, talks with Gail about teaching digital natives to be educators and shares advice for all teachers of today’s digital native students.

(38:38) Double authentication coming to Google

(57:37) Follow WELS online:

(1:04:15) Episode 152 – WELSTech addresses “The Evils of E-mail” as we share tips and tricks for managing your overwhelming e-mail inbox. (Release date 10/06/10)

(1:05:50) We close the podcast with the instrumental music of In His Service (www.adagioconcepts.com) – Thy Strong Word from their CD titled “In His Time”

This week the WELSTech podcast discussion topic is online image hosting with Flickr plus graphic designer, Diahann Lohr, joins the conversation.

Photo Sharing – Living in a Web 2.0 world means churches and schools can take advantage of online photo sharing sites such as Flickr to post, organize and share digital images.  Martin and Sallie explore Flickr and talk about ideas for using it for ministry advancement.

(15:05) Design Elements – Diahann Lohr, owner of Adunate Word & Design in Watertown, WI chats with Martin and Sallie about the many questions that go into discovering a good graphic design for congregations and schools.

(32:35) The New Twitter is rolling out

(59:47) Episode 151 – WELSTech welcomes back Gail Potratz, our semi-regular classroom technology correspondent, and we talk about teacher professional development in the area of technology plus listen in as Gail interviews education professor Bernard Bull. (Release date 09/29/10)

(1:01:31) We close the podcast with the music of Corban Creek – Epitaph from their CD titled “Could It Be Me?”

This week on the WELSTech podcast we begin a new series focusing on the technology used by church and school secretaries and administrators.

Something new on WELSTech – The new fall season of podcasting is in full swing and there’s a new topic to explore!  With this episode we kick off a series which will focus on the important role of office administrator or secretary for the church and/or school and the technology they use to do their jobs.  Martin and Sallie encourage listeners to share the podcast with office personnel and talk about ways to help them network and share ideas.

(16:45) Managing the school office – Joanne Nemmers, school secretary for Calvary in Dallas, TX talks with Martin and Sallie about life in the school office.  Find out about her favorite piece of office equipment, the challenges of after-school-care accounting and more.

(35:36) KidBlog.org

(38:36) Google Instant Search – Introduction video & details

(52:39) Visit the WELSTech Wiki for online worship links and add your congregation

(1:04:20) Episode 150 – Next week we explore Flickr photo sharing for churches and schools plus we talk with designer Diahann Lohr from Adunate Word & Design. (Release date 09/22/10)

(1:05:45) We close the podcast with the music of Michael Schroeder (www.michaelschroeder.com and on Facebook) – Forgiveness Is Grace from his CD titled “The Way”

This week the WELSTech Podcast “hits the books” with the kick-off of a new book discussion.

A new book selection – Leading 21st Century Schools by Lynne Schrum and Barbara B. Levin (browse sections on Google Books) is the latest book discussion selection for WELSTech.  To get the ball rolling, Martin and Sallie highlight Chapter 1 and apply the concepts to school leaders, teachers and pastors.

(19:19) Men’s Network

(41:47) Episode 149 – Joanne Nemmers, school secretary at Calvary in Dallas, TX, joins Martin and Sallie as we look at technology in the school and church office.  Encourage your office administrator to tune in!  (Release date 09/15/10)

(44:01) We close the podcast with the music of Mike Westendorf (www.mikewestendorf.com and mikewestendorf on Twitter) – Press On from his CD titled “Climb the Mountain”