082 – It’s A Small WELS After All

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This week the WELSTech podcast includes more discussion of the book Here Comes Everybody as well as an interview with a software consultant from ProCare Software.

The discussion:

Bonding and Bridging – Martin and Sallie revisit Clay Shirky’s book, Here Comes Everybody, and discuss chapter 9, “Fitting Our Tools to a Small World”.  Lessons from the chapter illustrate the potential pitfall of congregations focusing solely on closed group, insider fellowship while excluding groups, cultures and ideas outside the “network”.

The interview:

Shelley Spliethof, ProCare Software(16:00) Technology heads to daycare – Martin and Sallie talk with Shelley Spliethof, Executive Software Consultant with ProCare Software, about the information challenges daycare and preschool organizations face and how ProCare Software addresses those needs.

New Technology Showcase:

(29:40) Firefox 3.5 – The latest version of the Mozilla browser

Picks of the week:

  • (33:50) SparkleBox – A teacher’s treasure chest of free printables
  • Diigo – Social bookmarking meets the writable web

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(52:22) WELSTech2 continues:

  • Episode 083 – Join us for a summer “Picnik” of image editing tips on the latest installment of “Bonus WELSTech Goodness” (BWTG). (Release date 07/13/09)
  • Episode 084 – Joel and Jeremy from the Youth Discipleship office share a recap of the International Youth Rally as we take a look at ways we can use technology to reach out to teens. (Release date 07/15/09)

The featured artist:

(53:49) The music of WELS group Corban Creek closes this week’s podcast – We hear Psalm 13 from their CD titled “Could It be Me”

Get involved:

081 – BWTG: Facebook Pages

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Learn how to setup, add content, and invite people to your church or organization’s Facebook Page on this bonus WELSTech podcast.

The discussion:

Bonus WELSTech GoodnessFacebook Pages – Step-by-step instructions for creating and publishing a publicly accessible “Page” on Facebook is the topic of today’s BWTG installment.  Follow the link to the WELSTech wiki site for “Bonus WELSTech Goodness” video tutorials, help documents and links to sample WELS Facebook Pages.

Get involved:

080 – WELS.net Goes Web 2.0

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This week on the WELSTech podcast we look at the strategic use of Web 2.0 tools on both WELS.net and the Camp Phillip web site.

The discussion:

Leveraging the read/write web – As WELS.net migrates from a custom Content Management System (CMS) to the more mainstream, open-source CMS, Drupal, several WELS.net resources are also migrating to Web 2.0 sites.  Martin and Sallie discuss the logic behind going public with WELS resources versus hosting them locally in a “walled garden” and how congregations and schools might take advantage of a similar strategy.

The interview:

Aaron Wakeman and family(19:26) Sending the stories home – Camp Phillip Development Director, Aaron Wakeman, joins Martin and Sallie to share some creative ways they use technology to share the stories of camp near and far.

New Technology Showcase:

(36:00) Acrobat.com – Adobe’s slick answer to Google Docs

Picks of the week:

Of interest:

(49:50) Follow the National Educational Computing Conference (NECC) – Even if you aren’t in attendance, you can take advantage of all of the great online resources which are available

Community feedback:

  • (53:36) Following up on our BWTG: Google Calendar episode, we heard from Pastor Brian Hackmann from Peace in Eagle River, AK with several questions related to the calendar embed options, and also Jason Petoskey, a member of Holy Trinity in Wyoming, MI, tweeted his success of embedding a Google Calendar into his FinalWeb church web site
  • Jason Schmidt from Gethsemane in Omaha, NE sent us a link to YouMail.com which can receive and transcribe your voice mail and even has a few interesting twists for customizing voice mail.  Martin shared that he has used Jott.com in the past for voice transcribed reminder messages but is now using Reqall.com as a free alternative.
  • David Schumann, webmaster from Peace in Janesville, WI, raised concerns about posting children’s photos online.  We’ll dedicate a future podcast to this topic.
  • And lastly we heard from Gail Potratz from Emanuel in New London, WI with follow up comments about her picks (ShareThis and GroupTweet) on last week’s show. We’d also love to hear from you!! Leave us a voice mail @ 414-375-2334.

Coming up on WELSTech:

(1:04:01) Tune in for a double scoop of WELSTech summer audio next week:

  • Episode 081 – We’ll share a little “Bonus WELSTech Goodness” (BWTG) on how-to create a Facebook fan page for your organization (Release date 07/06/09)
  • Episode 082 – The “normal” WELSTech episode will look at tech tools for the small world in which we live, a discussion based on Chapter 9 of Clay Shirky’s book, Here Comes Everybody.  Also included will be an interview with someone from ProCare Software, an information management system for daycares. (Release date 07/08/09)

The featured artist:

(1:05:36) The music of WELS artist Michael Schroeder (www.michaelschroeder.com) closes this week’s podcast – We hear John 3:16 from his CD titled “A Witness”

Get involved:

079 – BWTG: Google Reader

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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

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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

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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?

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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!

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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.

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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:

073 – Warm Ears, Hot Video

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This week the WELSTech podcast explores online video for education as we talk with Anne Feldkamp from Learn 360.com.

The discussion:

Video in the Classroom – Gail Potratz, Technology Coordinator for Emanuel in New London, WI, rejoins Martin and Sallie for our monthly conversation focusing on classroom technology. This month we look at online educational video resources, touching on the necessary hardware setup as well as fee-based and free video resources

The interview:

Anne Feldkamp(18:45) The Educator’s Digital Library – Anne Feldkamp, Learn 360’s Content Acquisition and Product Development Manager, talks with Martin and Sallie about the benefits of their media on demand service which puts a library of digital media at teacher’s fingertips 24/7.

New Technology Showcase:

Picks of the week:

WELS.net feature:

  • (49:22) Summer vacation time is the perfect time to remind your members about the WELS Locator service – wels.locatorsearch.com

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(57:02) Episode 074 – Rob Benson will join Martin and Sallie for a discussion of the oh-so-glamorous task of backup

The featured artist:

(58:14) The music of WELS artist WendySue Fluegge (www.wendysue.com) closes this week’s podcast – Teach Me from her CD titled “The Instrument”

Get involved: