WELSTech Video

Enjoy the Texas warmth on this week’s WELSTech, and learn all about the goodness in store at this summer’s WELSTech Conference. Parenting in the digital age resources, Outlook comes to smartphones and Logos 6 giveaways round out this very full episode.

Tech in Ministry Smorgasbord – Martin and Sallie walk through the variety of topics and speakers who will be part of this summer’s WELSTech Conference 2015, happening July 9-11 at Country Springs Hotel and Conference Center in Waukesha, WI. David Tess, Director of Digital Education at Wisconsin Lutheran College shares details about the keynote presentation he’s preparing for the conference.

Parenting in the Digital Age

Microsoft Releases Outlook for Android (Preview) and iOS

Listen to WELS Radio on the Streams media network

WELS Interactive Faith online Bible study continues the study of Judges for the next two Wednesday’s at 6:00 and 8:00 pm CST.

Episode 378 – Join us for WELSTech on a special date and time – Monday, February 9 at 11:00 am CST – as Martin and Sallie look at ways to improve productivity by reducing our to-do list. (02/09/15 at 11:00 am)

This week we’ve add two new videos to the WELSTech Product Review playlist on YouTube – A quick look at Outlook for iOS and Android and Get Office for Android Tablet

Is WELSTech real or simply virtual reality? This week’s education focused episode includes a series kick-off, out of this world picks and the final countdown to WELSTech Conference 2015 registration.

Math and Technology for the Classroom – Martin and Sallie are joined by Jason Schmidt, Technology Coordinator from Bennington ISD, and they kick off the new WELSTech Goes To School series with a look at Math and Technology web sites, apps and extensions for all grade levels.

Check out the WELS Annual Report in your favorite format …

Episode 378 – Martin and Sallie walk viewers through the exciting lineup of speakers at this summer’s WELSTech Conference. (02/03/15)

This week we’ve add a new video to the WELSTech Instructional playlist on YouTube – Khan Academy exercise software, part of the Khan Academy Teacher Workshop playlist

WELSTech is live from Martin Luther College this week with all kinds of special techie MLC treats. Martin and Sallie podcast from the same location and welcome a special guest and his “shiny” tech to the show as well.

Flying high – Martin Luther College sophomore Jonathan Witte talks with Martin and Sallie about several of the techie tools that are used to enhance MLC communication.

Take a virtual tour of MLC – Sallie shares an overview of the recently released virtual tour of the MLC campus, which features 25 full view 360 degree panorama images shot at various locations around campus and inside the beautiful Chapel of the Christ and new Early Childhood Learning Center. Thanks to Caleb Cordes of OutreachVirtualTours.com for producing the tour.

Dutch Girl’s Guide to Becoming a Better Writer from ChurchM.ag

WELSTech Conference 2015 is happening July 9-11 at Country Springs Hotel and Conference Center in Waukesha, WI. We hope you can join us for some serious tech goodness!

Grab the newly re-tooled WELS mobile app for your smartphone or tablet and enjoy easy access to the synod yearbook and call reports, among other things.

Episode 377 – WELSTech is back next week at our normal Tuesday @ 4 pm Central time slot when Martin and Sallie will be joined by Jason Schmidt for a new educational technology series focusing on tech for classroom success by subject. Tune in for the Math and Computer Science kickoff. (01/27/15 at 4:00 pm)

This week we feature a bit of the MLC quadcopter coolness on the WELSTech “Like’s” list on Vimeo  – MLC’s First Snow filmed by Jonathan Witte

This week on WELSTech we return to this season’s productivity book discussion and consider the merits of setting our alarms a bit earlier. We also hear the story behind a new outreach-focused video short, learn about a major update of the WELS Mobile app, discover a new platform for ebooks and get motivated by the three greatest words ever spoken.

Wake Up! – Part 4 of What’s Best Next: How the Gospel Transforms the Way You Get Things Done by Matt Perman introduces ideas for blocking out your daily schedule for focused time on tasks and projects. Martin shares his new (early) morning schedule inspired by Matt’s suggestions in this section.

We’re excited to share Ben Champion’s Blessed video short. Ben is a member of Beautiful Savior in Marietta, GA. He tells us that this zero budget film is the first of what he hopes will be a series of outreach focused messages. Consider sharing it and perhaps making your own video short. Find the video on the WELSTech’s Presentation/Teaching playlist on YouTube.

WELS Mobile Upgrade

Meet Diigo Outliner

Episode 376 – WELSTech is LIVE from MLC as Martin and Sallie enjoy a rare opportunity to podcast from the same location and talk with student Jonathan Witte about MLC’s Quadcopter, GoPro camera and Instagram presence.  (SPECIAL date & time – 01/22/15 at 4:30 pm)

The first podcast of a new year brings reflection on the year past. Listen for the best of the best in 2014 episodes, contests, interviews and picks. Plus the WELSTech mail bag is overflowing with great community feedback. Welcome to year 8 of WELSTech!

Thanks for the memories – Martin and Sallie start a new year of podcasting with a look back on the WELSTech goodness of 2014.

Favorite events

Episode 375 – Martin and Sallie return to the current WELSTech book discussion of What’s Best Next? by Matt Perman. The focus of Part 4 of the book is the architecture of a gospel motivated productivity system.  (Broadcast date – 01/13/15)

This week we’ve add a new video to the WELSTech Promo playlist on YouTube – PreK Promo from Divine Savior Lutheran Academy

On this week’s WELSTech, we close the books on another year of podcasting with the conclusion of our special globe-spanning, tech-in-world-missions interview! Happy New Year WELSTech-ers!!

Using all things – WELS World Missions Administrator Larry Schlomer along with Missionaries Brad Wordell from Tokyo, Japan and Mike Hartman from Leon, Mexico join Martin and Sallie for the conclusion of our tech-in-world-missions round table discussion. Check out Part 1 of the interview on WELSTech 373a.

Episode 374 – Martin and Sallie celebrate WELSTech’s 8th anniversary with a look back at the best of 2014. (Broadcast date – 01/06/15)

We close 2014 with a new addition to our Music playlist on YouTube – O Little Town of Bethlehem by Koiné

It’s Christmas week on WELSTech, and we’ve returned to our yearly tradition of bringing you a very special interview. This year’s guests include missionaries from Japan and Mexico as we enjoy a worldwide Christmas celebration of tech-in-ministry.

View and download the 12 Days of Christmas devotions from Martin Luther College

Tech in missions – As a special Christmas treat, Martin and Sallie span the globe (and 15 time zones) to connect with Missionaries Mike Hartman from Leon, Mexico and Brad Wordell from Tokyo, Japan as well as WELS World Missions Administrator, Rev. Larry Schlomer. Hear their first-hand accounts of the variety of ways technology is advancing the spread of the gospel and the training of native workers in WELS world mission fields.

Episode 373b – Tune in for the final WELSTech of the year as we wrap up our global-tech-in-ministry discussion. (Broadcast date – 12/30/14)

This week we feature a Christmas entry on the WELSTech “Like’s” list on Vimeo  – O Jesus Christ, Thy Manger Is by the Martin Luther College choirs

WELSTech goes mobile as Martin and Sallie share their smartphone home screen favorite apps. Plus there’s “Best of 2014” app selections from Google and Apple and mobile app academy resources to help teachers bring STEM to their classrooms.

Within Thumbs Reach – Martin and Sallie reveal their most used smartphone apps as well as polar opposite strategies for organizing their prime real estate home screens. A few WELSTech-ers share their favorite apps as well.

Check out the master list of must-have smartphone apps on our new Mobile App Recommendations resource page!

A new series in WELS online Interactive Faith Bible Study begins Wednesday, January 7 with sessions offered at 6:00 and 8:00 pm Central weekly through February 11. Rev. David Scharf from Greenville, WI will lead the study of the book of Judges titled “Breaking the Cycle with Grace.” Learn more.

Best apps of 2014 from

Christians Under Construction stewardship series

Episode 373a – Martin and Sallie celebrate Christmas around the world with a special two-part episode featuring several tech-in-global-ministry friends. (Broadcast date – 12/23/14)

Enjoy another new addition to our Music playlist on YouTube – Mary, Did You Know? by Pentatonix

Two great topics are featured on today’s WELSTech – productivity and social media. Consider how the Gospel influences your personal mission statement, and learn how to engage social media “influencers” in your congregation and school as online ambassadors.

Design – The WELSTech book discussion topic this month is Part 3 of What’s Best Next by Matt Perman. Martin and Sallie roll up their sleeves and write mission, vision and goal statements as well as evaluate the various roles they perform.

Going Viral – Justin Ware, Director of Interactive Communication at BWFSocial, shares ideas with Martin and Sallie about church and school use of social media channels, including the use of volunteers for an online ambassador program to share communication with wider circles.

31 Christmas Fellowship Ideas from Women’s Ministry Toolbox

Translate text into a different language as you type – Translate Keyboard Pro for iOS

Streaming Christmas Concerts

Episode 372 – Join Martin and Sallie for the great smartphone home screen reveal. (Broadcast date – 12/16/14)

This week we’ve added a new video to our Music playlist on YouTube – Wonder 2014 Preview by Dawn Michelle Williams – Join Dawn live this Sunday, December 14 at 4:00 & 7:00 pm at the Duran Arts Council, PSI Theatre in Durham, NC – Learn more at Dawn’s website

Turn it up for a WELSTech welcome to the new church year! The edtech discussion focus is implementation of badges plus there’s lots more tech-in-ministry ideas including an Advent Bible reading plan, helpful Google Chrome extensions, ideas for sharing event calendar invitations and lots of opportunities to enjoy Christmas concerts.

Implementing Badges – Gail Potratz, Tech Coordinator at Emanuel in New London, WI and one of WELSTech’s semi-regular classroom technology correspondents, chats with Martin and Sallie about her new program using badges in middle grades Language Arts.

Streaming Christmas Concerts:

Episode 371 – Martin and Sallie return to the current book discussion, What’s Best Next by Matt Perman, a discussion where productivity meets stewardship. (Broadcast date – 12/09/14)

Keeping the Christmas concert theme going, this week we feature a new entry on the WELSTech “Like’s” list on Vimeo  – Koine: Christmas is Forgiving