094 – Old People Talking New Tech

This week on the WELSTech Podcast Gail Potratz joins the discussion on one-to-one computing.

The discussion:

One-to-one in educationOne-to-One Computing – A “trending topic” in education circles today is the concept of equipping students as early as elementary school with their own portable computing device, thus giving them the ability to do normal computing tasks with all-the-time, anywhere access. Gail Potratz, Technology Coordinator at Emanuel in New London, WI joins Martin and Sallie to discuss the challenges and benefits of one-to-one computing as well as the tumbling prices on hardware and software.  Even if your school isn’t ready to implement this strategy today, it’s great to consider it in future planning.

News in Tech:

(21:33) Microsoft releases a beta cloud-based version of the SQL relational database on the Azure platform

Picks of the week:

Community feedback:

  • (35:45) Pastor Aaron Frey from Emanuel in Tawas City, MI tweeted his approval of DropBox for syncing Logos files
  • Teacher Jason Schmidt from Gethsemane in Omaha, NE shared info on a free account at abcteach.com for undergraduate education majors
  • Adam Miller for our own Technology team suggested we dedicate a future WELSTech episode to technology and the college student, focusing on campus ministry efforts and home congregation connections with the college crowd

Coming up on WELSTech:

(41:42) Tune in for a surprise episode featuring a panel discussion or a look at chapter 10, Failure for Free, from Clay Shirky’s Here Comes Everybody. (Release date 09/02/09)

The featured artist:

(42:31) This week we close with the music of WELS artist, Steven Bautista (www.stephenbautistamusic.com) – Trying to Catch the Wind from his CD titled ”Abandon”

Get involved:

093 – Back to School with Technology

This week on the WELSTech podcast we explore student and teacher prep for the new tech-driven school year.

The discussion:

Back to School with TechnologyPreparing to learn in a Web 2.0 world – This isn’t your grandmother’s back to school season, and with the advent of technology, parents, students and teachers need to prepare for the new school year in all new ways.  Listen as Martin and Sallie share ideas to help you get ready for technology in the new school year.

The interview:

(12:43) Joining Martin and Sallie this week is Joe Du Fore who teaches at Fox Valley Lutheran High School and also serves as Educational Technology Director.  Joe shares his thoughts on the use of technology at the high school level and tech tips for students and parents as they prepare to go back to school.

News In Technology:

(32:30) Goggle Chrome has bookmark syncing

Picks of the week:

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(49:16) Episode 094 – Gail Potratz joins us for a discussion of one-to-one computing in the classroom. (Release date 08/26/09)

The featured artist:

(50:20) This week we close with the music of WELS instrumentalist In His Time (www.adagioconcepts.com) – O God, Your Hand The Heavens Made from their CD titled ”In His Time”

Get involved:

092 – Wall To Wall Listener Feedback

This week we open the WELSTech podcast mailbag and share loads of great comments, ides and questions from our listeners.

The discussion:

Listener FeedbackListeners Share – Martin and Sallie have gathered feedback from all corners of the web – listserves, social networks, tweets and our very own WELSTech web site – and put together a feast of tech-in-ministry treats for your enjoyment.  Try something new today, and expand your vocabulary in the process!

News in Tech:

Picks of the week:

Of interest:

(51:12) Access the entire series of Bonus WELSTech Goodness “how-to” episodes using the WELSTech BWTG tag

Coming up on WELSTech:

(52:25) Episode 093 – WELSTech goes “Back to School with Technology”, including an interview with Joe Du Fore from Fox Valley Lutheran High School. (Release date 08/19/09)

The featured artist:

(53:15) This week we close with the music of WELS artists Kevin Loersch – Children of the Heavenly Father/Jesus Loves Me from his CD titled ”Abide With Me”

Get involved:

091 – BWTG: Online Forms

This special “how-to” episode of the WELSTech Podcast explores the steps for creating online forms to gather data.

The discussion:

Bonus WELSTech GoodnessOnline Forms – We wrap up our summer “Bonus WELSTech Goodness” (BWTG) series with a look at the steps for creating web-based forms.  Forms are useful for easily gathering and analyzing registration, sign-up and survey information in your church and school.

Get involved:

090 – Run MDMC

This week on the WELSTech podcast we learn about the topics covered at the recent Milwaukee Digital Media Conference.

The discussion:

MDMC09 – Our semi-regular classroom technology correspondent, Gail Potratz from Emanuel in New London, WI, rejoins Martin and Sallie to share her experience from the recent Milwaukee Digial Media Conference (MDMC).  The educators who participated in the conference became students and used some of today’s newest technology to create multi-media projects to share with the world.

The interview:

Tammy Stephens(22:45) Gail spends a few minutes chatting with Tammy Stephens, Educational Technology Consultant and founder of The Stephens Group, about her work with the Milwaukee Digital Media Conference and as well as other initiatives in which she is involved.

New Technology Showcase:

Picks of the week:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(52:10) Listen for two new podcast next week

  • Episode 091 – On the next Bonus WELSTech Goodness (BWTG) episode we will share steps for creating online forms. (Release date 08/10/09)
  • Episode 092 – It’s all about our listeners as we take a time out and share all the great ideas and comments that have been rolling in. (Release date 08/12/09)

The featured artist:

(54:32) This week we close with the music of WELS artist Wendysue Fluegge (www.wendysue.com) – Time from her CD titled ”Everyday Christian”

Get involved:

089 – BWTG: e-News with MailChimp

This episode of the WELSTech covers steps for starting an electronic newsletter for your church or school.

The discussion:

Bonus WELSTech Goodnesse-News with MailChimp – Today’s “Bonus WELSTech Goodness” focuses on delivering professional quality, timely and affordable electronic newsletters.  Martin and Sallie share ministry applications and easy steps for getting started as well as info on back-end reporting capabilities which allow users to analyze the effectiveness of their e-news messages.

Get involved: