This week on the WELSTech podcast we kick off a new book discussion.

A lesson from the classics – Martin and Sallie kick off discussion of a brand new book, Shane Hipps’ The Hidden Power of Electronic Culture: How Media Shapes Faith, The Gospel and Church.  In Chapter 1, titled “Seeing But Not Perceiving,” the theme of the book is introduced as the author uses a variety of illustrations to show how the method or media used to deliver a message has an impact on the message. Planning for media usage should be done with an eye on both sides of the potential impact.

(27:47) BibleMap.org

(29:15) Google storage price drop

(51:11) Episode 107 – Everything RSS is the discussion topic for next week.   (Release date 11/18/09)

(52:09) This week we close with Corban Creek’s Fly Away

This week on the WELSTech podcast we celebrate National Distance Learning Week and talk with teacher Karl Henselin about free computer management software.

Online learning – It’s time again for our annual celebration of National Distance Learning Week.  Martin and Sallie define distance learning in terms of student experience and needed skills, and they explore the possibilities for distance learning in a ministry setting.  Visit our distance learning web page where we showcase all of the WELS distance learning resources.

(17:15) Managing your school computers – Teacher Karl Henselin from St. Mark in Green Bay, WI was a presenter at the recent Wisconsin State Teacher’s Conference and spent a few minutes with Martin to discuss free software tools for maintaining computers.

(28:55) Logos for iPhone/iTouch

(51:35) Episode 106 – We’re kicking off a new book discussion, Chapter 1 of Shane Hipps’ The Hidden Power of Electronic Culture. (Release date 11/18/09)

(54:54) This week we close with the music of Michael Schroeder (www.michaelschroeder.com) – The Beatitudes from his CD titled “A Witness”

This week on the WELSTech Podcast Martin and Sallie discuss online and personal Bible study with a digital flavor.

Digital Bible Study – Martin shares a recap of his recent presentation at the WI State Teacher’s Conference. We learn about the many types of digital Bible study and about many free and affordable tools for online study.

(56:10) We celebrate National Distance Learning Week by highlighting all of the online learning opportunities offered by WELS. (Release date 11/11/09)

(57:05) This week we close with the music of WELS artist Mike Westendorf (www.mikewestendorf.com – Follow mikewestendorf on Twitter) – Come from his CD titled ”Color Through The Gray”

This week the WELSTech Podcast focus is educational gaming and Gail Potratz joins the conversation.

Safe sites that teach – Gail Potratz, Technology Coordinator for Emanuel in New London, WI and WELSTech’s semi-regular classroom technology correspondent, joins Martin and Sallie for a discussion on gaming in education.  There’s no denying student interest is peaked by video games, and there are many excellent gaming options which also teach.  As schools develop lists of these recommended edu-gaming sites, they are also creating a safe environment for students to surf the web from home.

Pre-K to 2nd grade (non readers):

3rd to 5th grade:

6th to 8th grade:

(37:17) We’ve created a new compilation page for our Ministry Resources

(41:39) Martin is presenting a workshop on Digital Bible Study at the Wisconsin Teacher’s Conference, so we’ll tap into his session notes and hear from the attendees. (Release date 11/04/09)

(43:03) This week we close with the music of WELS artist Stephen Bautista (www.stephenbautistamusic.com – Follow stephenbautista on Twitter) – Abandon from his CD of the same title ”Abandon”

This week on the WELSTech Podcast we take a final look at the concepts presented in the book Here Comes Everybody by Clay Shirky.

Expanding Your Life Scope – Martin and Sallie wrap up their discussion of Clay Shirky’s Here Comes Everybody, looking at chapter 11 and the epilogue.  Tying all the concepts from the book together, three key components of digital groups emerge, and we see that these revolutionary changes should be accepted and taken for granted as we make use of them to spread the gospel message.

(22:44) BibleGlo.com – Multimedia Bible software

(26:28) Google Wave invites are trickling out.

with:public “Calling all WELSTech-ers!”

(42:26) Gail Potratz joins the WELSTech crew as we share our picks of safe web sites for kids of all ages. (Release date 10/28/09)

(43:25) This week we close with the music of WELS instrumentalist In His Service – Gabriel’s Message from their CD titled ”In the Fullness of Time”

This week on the WELSTech podcast we focus on the powerful Bible study software tool, Logos.

(3:15) Logos Revisited – WELS resident Logos guru, Pastor Aaron Frey from Emanuel in Tawas City, MI, rejoins Martin and Sallie to share the latest news on the software.  Pastor Frey was previously on Episode 007 of the podcast and has since seen amazing growth in the Logos For Lutherans (L4L) Yahoo group which he created and administers. Listen as he shares tips he’s learned along the way, stories from Camp Logos II and a look into the future of the software.

(33:33) Google Wave invites trickle down to the masses.  Do you have one?

(54:42) Episode 102 – We wrap up our discussion of Clay Shirky’s Here Comes Everybody – Chapter 11 – Promise, Tool, Bargain. (Release date 10/21/09)

(56:40) We close the podcast with the music of Kevin Loersch – The Lord’s Prayer from his CD titled “Abide With Me”

This week on WELSTech Martin and Sallie commemorate their 100th podcast with tech-in-ministry success stories from the listeners.

WELSTech and YOU! – The 100th WELSTech podcast anniversary is dedicated to the success stories WELSTech listeners have experienced using technology in their personal and public ministry.  Join Martin and Sallie as they share stories of audio and video editing, social networking, personal time management, Bible study, RSS reading, blogging, and more.

(39:50) Pastor Aaron Frey shares the latest news from Logos (Release date 10/14/09)

(41:18) We close with music of WELS praise band Koine (www.koinemusic.com) – Jerusalem the Golden from their CD titled “Koine II”

This week on the WELSTech Podcast Gail Potratz joins the discussion as we look at Google Books.

Google Books – Google’s mission to organize the world’s information extends to offline content with their Google Books initiative.  Gail Potratz, Technology Coordinator at Emanuel in New London, WI joins Martin and Sallie to discuss the impact Google Books will have on the future of education.

(16:44) Church Marketing Lab Flickr group

(34:37) The long anticipated 100th episode awaits and you won’t want to miss this special episode dedicated to YOU, the WELSTech listeners! (Release date 10/07/09)

(39:37) This week we close with the music of WELS pianist Dawn Gehlhar – Nearer My God To Thee from her CD titled ”Inspirations”

On this week’s WELSTech podcast the conversation includes tips for computer maintenance and a look at electronic resources from NPH.

Maintaining your computer – From canned air to reinstalling operating systems, Martin and Sallie share tips and many free resources for keeping your computer running smoothly.

(18:30) Delivering electronic resources – From Northwestern Publishing House (NPH), Martin and Sallie are joined by Kurt Adams, Director of Internet and Publishing Technology, and Mark Buske, Director of Marketing, and we learn about NPH electronic and downloadable products.  NPH.net offers over 250 digital products, including free downloadable Bible studies, and has several exciting electronic products in development.

(50:04) WELSTech turns 100 on October 7th and we’re dedicating this special episode to YOU, our listeners!

(1:01:46) Episode 098 – Member focused web sites and an interview with Brad Wheeling from Concordia Technology Solutions will headline next week’s show. (Release date 09/23/09)

(1:03:15) This week we close with the music of WELS band Corban Creek – Serve Him from their CD titled “Could It Be Me”

This week the WELSTech podcast includes motivation to try something new for gospel outreach as well as an interview about midi music for worship.

Do something! – Martin and Sallie return to their discussion of Clay Shirky’s Here Comes Everybody, this time focusing on chapter 10, Failure For Free.  In terms of ministry opportunities this chapter helps us realize that it’s easy and free for our outreach, communication and technology committees to brainstorm creative methods and test drive today’s digital resources as tools for sharing the gospel without fear of failure.

(16:00) Digital music for worship – Layman Danny Weymeyer from Good Shepherd in Deltona, FL joins Martin and Sallie to talk about the use of MIDI in worship settings, particularly when congregations do not have full time instrumentalist available for worship.

(56:04) Episode 097 – Tips for maintaining your computer including fighting mal-ware, registry cleanup and disk de-frags wil be the topic of next week’s podcast. (Release date 09/16/09)

(57:45) This week we close with the music of WELS artist Michael Schroeder (www.michaelschroeder.com) – Paradise from his CD titled “A Witness”