264 – iPads in Education

This week’s classroom technology WELSTech Podcast is all about iPads. Gail Potratz shares her insights, we interview Jon Beilke and Nate Hochmuth from Salem in Greenfield, MN about their very recent implementation of iPads, and we even have iPad “Picks of the Week.”

The discussion:

The other side – On past education focused podcasts, we’ve spent a lot of time talking about Chromebooks in the classroom. Today Martin, Sallie and our semi-regular classroom technology correspondent Gail Potratz from Emanuel in New London, WI explore the ins and outs of 1:1 iPads in the classroom. Gail also shares some of the experiences of Kathy Brandt who uses iPads in her 3rd and 4th grade classroom at Pilgrim in Menomonee Falls, WI.

The interview:

(18:26) iPads in WELS Education – Teacher Nate Hochmuth and Principal Jon Beilke from Salem in Greenfield, MN share their very new experience of 1:1 iPads in the 7th and 8th grade classroom.

Picks of the week:

WELS.net Feature:

(50:15) Check out the improved WELS Mobile beta site at m.wels.net.

Of interest:

(53:25) View the live stream of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary’s “Sing a Song of Christmas” concert on December 9th at 3:00 or 7:00 p.m..

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(1:06:00) Episode 265 – Next week we wrap up our 7 Best series with a countdown of the 7 Best Mobile Computing Tips. Send us your favorites for the list by Sunday.  (Release date – 12/04/12)

The featured artist:

(1:07:15) We  close the podcast with the music of Michael Schroeder (www.michaelschroeder.com and on Facebook) – The Reason For The Season

Get involved:

263 – Clean Up Your Tech

This week on the WELSTech Podcast we equip listeners to handle all those “slow computer” projects they may tackle over the Thanksgiving break. Guest host Dan Rebers from the WELS Information Services office lends his expertise in this area.

The discussion:

Thanksgiving tune-up – With the holiday break often comes the task of much needed computer maintenance. Martin and Sallie are joined by Dan Rebers from the synod Information Services office to discuss the Dos and Don’ts of upkeep of computer hardware and software.

Ministry resources:

(22:50) Memrise – Memory drill Web 2.0-style – Recommended by LifeHacker

Picks of the week:

7 Best:

(36:20) Coming up in December … 7 Best Mobile Computing TipsShare your favorite hardware, apps and tips for a productive mobile experience.

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(53:47) Episode 264 – Gail Potratz, tech coordinator at Emanuel in New London, WI, fills the WELSTech guest hosting chair next week as we talk iPads in education. We’ll also include an interview with Jon Beilke and Nate Hochmuth from Salem in Greenfield, WI about their recent implementation of 1:1 iPads in their 7-8 grade classroom. (Release date – 11/27/12)

The featured artist:

(54:40) We close the podcast with the instrumental music of In His Service (www.adagioconcepts.com) – Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow

Get involved:

262 – Surprise, Surprise

The WELSTech Podcast is full of surprises this week as we discuss the next chapter of our current book selection, Presentation Zen, Martin unboxes and boots up a brand new computer, and Sallie has the latest news from Pinterest!

The discussion:

Planning Analog – The third chapter of our current WELSTech book selection, Presentation Zen, by Garr Reynolds makes for an interesting discussion as Martin and Sallie talk about the benefits of “unplugging” for brainstorming your presentation. Also in this chapter are helpful guidelines for creating presentation handouts.

Ministry resources:

(15:38) Logos 5 Release

News in tech:

An Unboxing + Picks of the week:

Of interest:

(49:50)  Live streaming of the WELS 2012 West Regional Choralfest

  • Pops Concert – Friday, November 16 at 7 p.m. Central
  • Sacred Concert – Sunday, November 18 at 2:30 p.m. Central

7 Best:

(50:39) Coming up in December … 7 Best Mobile Computing TipsShare your favorite hardware, apps and tips for a productive mobile experience.

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(1:02:57) Episode 263 – Join Martin and Sallie along with WELS Director of Information Services, Dan Rebers, for our Thanksgiving Week podcast as we share tips for PC (and Mac) maintenance. (Release date – 11/20/12)

The featured artist:

(1:04:15) We close with the music of L. A. Miller – Your Peace

Get involved:

261 – 7 Best Conferencing Tools

This week on WELSTech we countdown the 7 Best Video and Webconferencing Tools, useful for sharing the Good News from a distance. There’s also discussion of news in the tech world, a live streaming event and many great ideas from the WELSTech community.

The discussion:

We’re counting down again – This month’s 7 Best list focuses on video and webconferencing tools. These tools are great for anything which needs to get done at a distance – Bible class, meetings, tech support, etc. Martin and Sallie share a list of freebies that can take care of your needs.

  1. TinyChat
  1. Mikogo
  1. Vyew
  1. Oovoo
  1. Join.me
  1. Google Hangouts
  1. Skype – Skype and Messenger Coming Together

Coming up in December … 7 Best Mobile Computing TipsShare your favorite hardware, apps and tips for a productive mobile experience.

News in tech:

Picks of the week:

Of interest:

(33:25)  Live streaming of the WELS 2012 East Regional Choralfest

  • Pops Concert – Friday, November 9 at 7 p.m. Central
  • Sacred Concert – Sunday, November 11 at 2 p.m. Central

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(47:19) Episode 262 – We continue the current WELSTech book discussion of Presentation Zen by Garr Reynolds, this time looking at Chapter 3, Planning Analog. (Release date – 11/13/12)

The featured artist:

(48:27) We close the podcast with the music of Corban Creek – Epitaph

Get involved: