255 – Are Chromebooks In Your Future?

WELSTech’s monthly education episode is back, featuring our periodic co-host Gail Potratz as well as an interview of Chad Kafka. The edtech flavor of the day is Google as we talk about Chromebooks and Google Apps in middle school settings.  We’re also looking for beta testers of the new WELS Mobile app. Cap off the WELSTech goodness with instructions for creating your very own digital signage page!

The discussion:

Back to School with Gail – Martin and Sallie are joined once again by Gail Potratz, Tech Coordinator at Emanuel in New London, WI and WELSTech’s semi-regular classroom technology correspondent, as we discuss the in’s and out’s of Gail’s recent Chromebook implementation in Emanuel’s 7th grade. Start up speed, battery life and a price point that can’t be beat seem to be reasons to give the Chromebook a serious look if you are considering a 1:1 initiative in your school.

The interview:

(23:50) There’s an app for that – Chad Kafka (www.chadkafka.com), Technology Coach in the Franklin, WI public school district and Google Certified Teacher, talks with Martin and Sallie about his school district adoption of Google Apps, including success stories and tips for making the most of the solution.

Ministry resources:

(44:44) Be a beta tester of the new WELS Mobile app!  Surf over to m.wels.net in your smartphone or tablet web browser, and kick the tires.  E-mail Martin your feedback.

Picks of the week:

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(1:12:06) Episode 256 – We’re back with our latest 7 Best countdown, this time of Member, Prospect & Student Management Tools including software, tools, and tips for managing data in the church and school office. (Release date – 10/02/12)

The featured artist:

(1:13:03) This week we close with the instrumental music of flutist Jeannine Dennis – Celebration Medley

Get involved:

254 – Ministry In A YouTube Generation

Video in ministry can serve many purposes and reach a variety of audiences.  On this week’s WELSTech, we explore ideas for congregational video use, creation and hosting as well as talk with Jeff Hendrix about his use of video to explain the pitfalls of virtual church.  We share a bit of news, our weekly picks and lots of community feedback as well.

The discussion:

Video creation – Martin and Sallie answer the Why, Who, What, How and Where questions of video in ministry. Video is rapidly becoming the preferred tool for communication in this “YouTube Generation,” so it serves us well to consider the possibilities of using video to spread the Gospel message.

The interview:

(22:50) Big topics in video format – Bethany seminary student, Jeff Hendrix, talks with Martin and Sallie about his recent master’s thesis, Material Beliefs in a Virtual World [PDF], and the process of crafting the content for video delivery.  Jeff also shares information on another project he is involved in, developing a catechism app.

News in tech:

(40:42) Coming soon … iPhone5 and the new iPod Touch

Picks of the week:

7 Best:

(46:56) Coming up in October … 7 Best Member, Prospect & Student Management ToolsShareyour favorite software, tools, and tips for managing data in the church and school office.

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(1:02:07) Episode 255 – Teacher and tech coordinator Gail Potratz is back to share her edtech wisdom including her recent Chromebook deployment, plus Martin and Sallie interview another edtech leader, Chad Kafka. (Release date – 09/25/12)

The featured artist:

(1:03:53) This week we close with the music of Crosswalk Lutheran Ministries – You Are My World

Get involved:

253 – Presentation Zen

It’s time to “hit the books” WELSTech-style as we discuss chapter one of the latest WELSTech book selection, Presentation Zen. You’ll also appreciate free Bible images of the Christmas story, a PNG image compression tool, many “Pin”-teresting tech finds, and more goodies just for you!

The discussion:

Book kickoff – Presentation Zen by Garr Reynolds is the newest WELSTech book selection.  Each month Martin and Sallie will discuss a section of the book, beginning with chapter one on today’s episode.  We learn that good presentation design requires starting over and rethinking how presentations are done.

Ministry resources:

(13:31) FreeBibleImages.org now has the Christmas story in photos

News in tech:

(17:05) A brand new line of Kindles give the iPad its most serious competition

Picks of the week:

WELS.net feature:

(29:33) WELSTech is in the Together Media Spotlight.  Subscribe to Together and many other great WELS resources.

7 Best:

(32:50) Coming up in October … 7 Best Member, Prospect & Student Management ToolsShare your favorite software, tools, and tips for managing data in the church and school office.

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(43:22) Episode 254 – Bethany Seminary student Jeff Hendrix joins Martin and Sallie to discuss his thesis and videos on material beliefs in a virtual church. (Release date – 09/18/12)

The featured artist:

(44:35) We  close the podcast with the music of The Branches Band (www.branchesband.com|Facebook) – Hearts of Stone

Get involved:

252 – 7 Best Password Tools and Tips

We’re counting down the 7 best password management tools and tips this week on WELSTech.  We also return to our school year show format as we share ministry resources, details about an upcoming tech-in-missions conference and much more!

The discussion:

Secure passwords – Along with all of the digital tools which we use daily to enhance our personal and public ministries, comes a mountain of password requirements to manage. In this month’s 7 Best countdown Martin and Sallie share password management tips and tools.

  1. Use a “Pass Phrase” – Password mnemonic generator
  2. 2-Step Verification – Google
  3. 1 Password for Mac
  4. Don’t use the same password on multiple sites
  5. KeePass
  6. Make passwords at least 8 to 10 characters
  7. LastPass

Coming up in October … 7 Best Member, Prospect & Student Management Tools

Ministry resources:

(23:00) Proclaim cloud-based church presentation software now supports multiple monitors

Picks of the week:

WELS.net feature:

(34:07) Check out the WELS.net home page redesign

Of interest:

(34:55) Media in World Missions Conference

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(51:28) Episode 253 – Next week begins the latest WELSTech book discussion of Presentation Zen by Garr Reynolds. Listeners are invited to read along and tune in as Martin and Sallie cover a section of the book each month. (Release date – 09/11/12)

The featured artist:

(53:21) We  close the podcast with the music of Dawn Michelle Williams (www.dawnmichellewilliams.com | Twitter | Facebook | My Space) – Mine For The Taking

Get involved: