079 – BWTG: Google Reader

Learn how to setup, organize and star or tag feeds in Google Reader on this mini WELSTech podcast.

The discussion:

Bonus WELSTech GoodnessGoogle Reader – The summer BWTG series continues with this week’s share of “Bonus WELSTech Goodness” focusing on how to use Google Reader to manage RSS feeds which bring web research and professional development materials to you in a time-saving format.

Get involved:

078 – Twitter and the Twassroom

This week the WELSTech podcast focus is Twitter in education as Martin and Sallie talk with two WELS teachers who are blazing the Twitter trail, Gail Potratz and Jason Schmidt.

The discussion:

Twitter in Education – Gail Potratz, Technology Coordinator for Emanuel in New London, WI and our “Semi-regular Classroom Technology Correspondent”, sits in on the podcast as we discuss Twitter for teachers.

The interview:

Jason Schmidt(20:43) A WELS Teacher Tweets – Jason Schmidt, 3rd and 4th grade teacher from Gethsemane in Omaha, NE and jasonschmidt123 on Twitter, joins Martin and Sallie to talk about his experience as a Twitter user and about the many classroom and professional development resources it has made him aware of.

New Technology Showcase:

(37:57) iPhone OS 3.0

Picks of the week:

Of interest:

(53:57) BWTG is live!  On this week’s Bonus WELSTech Goodness episode you can learn about Google Calendar, and next Monday we’ll share “how-to” tips for Google Reader.

Community feedback:

  • (57:42) Jeremy Johnson commented on the recent Narnia discussion and blogged his take on Lifehacker’s Essential Windows Apps
  • Still baffled by Twitter search?  Sallie shared a link to the newest CommonCraft video, Twitter Search in Plain English
  • The WELSTech listserve conversation continues on stock video resources and privatizing areas of a FinalWeb site.  Check the online archive for details.
  • Ryan Rosenthal from Faith in Fond du Lac, WI shared loads of great comments on a variety of recent WELSTech topics.
  • Jason Schmidt from Gethsemane in Omaha, NE tweeted #WELSTech to share Tube Chop – use it to carve out a desired section of a YouTube video
  • Allan Bundt tossed out the idea of a WELSTech video podcast – hmmm … you really don’t want to go there ;-)
  • Brad Wheeling, who heads up Concordia Technology Solutions, is looking for beta testers for Shepherd’s Staff 2010 – Contact Brad on Twitter at CTSBrad

Coming up on WELSTech:

(1:05:45) Episode 080 – We preview the Web 2.0 tools that will be a part of the new WELS.net

The featured artist:

(1:07:07) The music of WELS artist Mike Westendorf (www.mikewestendorf.com) closes this week’s podcast – I Will Sing from his CD titled “Climb The Mountain”

Get involved:

077 – BWTG: Google Calendar

Learn how to create, share and embed a Google calendar on this mini WELSTech podcast.

The discussion:

Bonus WELSTech GoodnessGoogle Calendar – Martin and Sallie kick off Bonus WELSTech Goodness (or BWTG for short), a mid-week, mini podcast series and companion wiki pages covering simple steps to put today’s technology to work in the congregation and school setting.  The inaugural BWTG topic is Google Calendar, which is useful for church and school staff collaboration and display on your web site.

Get involved:

076 – Where’d My Bowling League Go?

This week the WELSTech podcast discussion focuses on real-time, face-to-face fellowship challenges and ways technology can assist.

The discussion:

Meet UpDeclining social capital – Martin and Sallie discuss chapter 8 of Clay Shirky’s book Here Comes Everybody titled “Solving Social Dilemmas”.  The decline of “social capital” has effected congregations and schools as they experience the difficulty of getting people together for fellowship, but the good news is there are ways technology can assist in connecting people.

  • Meetup.com – Find a niche group to meet face-to-face

New Technology Showcase:

(18:30) Google Wave – A developing communication tool

Picks of the week:

Announcing BWTG:

(31:50) Something new – Bonus WELSTech Goodness (BWTG)

  • Mid-week mini “how-to” episodes set to launch on Monday, June 22nd
  • Look for Episode 077 – BWTG: Google Calendars

Community feedback:

  • (35:00) Gail Potratz from Emanuel in New London, WI asked about twitter hashtags, left a voice mail about using iGoogle for her Personal Learning Network and shared a link to her Twtpoll
  • Jason Schmidt from Gethsemane in Omaha, NE tweeted several tech goodies
  • Sallie shared a link to an article on Scareware from USA Today
  • Check out the WELSTech listserve archives for recent discussions on
    • Video sources
    • MIDI resources
    • Installing XP on newer computers
  • John Shoosmith from Redeemer in Yakima, WA created a “copyright friendly” scripture recording

Coming up on WELSTech:

(48:08) Episode 078 – Next Wednesday’s topic will be “Twitter in Education” with guest host Gail Potratz and interviewee/teacher/twitterer, Jason Schmidt

The featured artist:

(49:21) This week we close with music of WELS musician Stephen Bautista (www.stephenbautistamusic.com) – Brand New Day from his CD with the same title

Get involved:

075 – On The Road With Sallie!

This week on WELSTech the topic is tech items to take along when you’re away from home.

The discussion:

On the roadPack your bags  – With conference and vacation season upon us, many people are “on the road”. Whether you’re leaving home for work or play, Martin and Sallie discuss all the techie items you need to pack to stay connected.

  • Pogoplug – Connect your external hard drive to the internet for remote access

New Technology Showcase:

  • (17:09) Bing – Microsoft search engine

Picks of the week:

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(39:34) Episode 076 – The discussion of chapter 8 of Clay Shirky’s Here Comes Everybody titled “Solving Social Dilemmas” will look at the increasing difficulty of getting people together

The featured artist:

(41:05) This week we close with music of WELS instrumentalist In His Service (www.adagioconcepts.com) – Lost In The Night from their CD titled “In His Time”

Get involved:

074 – Fry Your Pickles. Back Up Your Data.

This week the WELSTech podcast discussion centers on the important but often overlooked task of computer backups.

The discussion:

Rob BensonBackup glam  – Joining Martin and Sallie for a second time is our very own WELS Network Security guru, Rob Benson. The first time Rob was on the podcast, we talked about computer security.  This time around Rob joins us to glamorize the topic of backup and, with Martin’s help, manages to succeed! Topics include why you should bother to backup, schedules, media devices, software and backing up to the cloud.

New Technology Showcase:

Picks of the week:

Of interest:

  • (34:45) WELS Lutherans for Life, Metro-Milwaukee is sponsoring SOUL Ride on June 20, 2009
    • Ride for the Sanctity Of Unborn Life (SOUL)
    • Scenic ride north in the Holy Hill/Kettle Moraine area for any motorcyclist
    • Cost is $25 per rider
    • Details and registration at www.soulride.org

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(45:22) Episode 075 – Pack your bags WELSTech-style and maintain all your computing needs on the road

The featured artist:

(46:30) This week we close with music of WELS artist Kevin Loersch – Amazing Grace from his CD titled “Abide with Me”

Get involved: