317 – Thank You God For Tech

We are celebrating Thanksgiving on WELStech this week by sharing our thanks for technology that assists ministry efforts. Martin and Sallie have a full house of Google tips and picks along with much non-Google technology from our listeners to be thankful for as well.

The discussion:

Giving Thanks – Rapid changes in technology have afforded us many opportunities to enhance ministry efforts. Join Martin and Sallie in giving thanks for the abundant tech-in-ministry blessings we enjoy – from the ability to communicate to a worldwide audience to enhancements in personal productivity to increased opportunities to share our faith through social media. Happy Thanksgiving!

Ministry Resources:

  • (18:20) LiveMocha language training with a social twist
  • Share a helpful resource that makes a difference in your ministry, and you will ll be entered to win an Apple TV. Deadline for entry is May 31, 2014.

Tech tips:

Picks of the week:

WELS.net features:

(33:24) Start the new church year off right with a variety of church year calendars

Of interest:

(35:45) Upcoming streamed Christmas concerts:

  • Via WELS Streams
    • Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary – December 8 at 3:00 pm
    • Koine – December 19 at 7:00 pm
  • Via MLC TV
    • Martin Luther College – December 7 at 7:30 pm & December 8 at 4:00 pm

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(47:13) Episode 318 – Next week Gail Potratz is guest-hosting and the topic of the day is tech in the Language Arts classroom. Martin and Sallie also talk with Ryan Rathje about his recent edtech advice for future teachers. (Release date – 12/03/13)

Music download:

(47:53) This week only, download a free music single from WELS harpist Elaine Stindt (HarpElaine.com) – Joyful, Joyful

Get involved:

316 – Mac vs. PC

The gloves are on as Sallie and Martin battle it out over favorite computing platforms. Are you a Mac or a PC or does it even matter anymore? Tune in to WELSTech to find out. You’ll also hear from WELSTech listeners about everything from free sheet music to Twitter chats. Let the tech-in-ministry goodness begin!

The discussion:

Platform Power – Which computing platform is best is the topic de jour on WELSTech as Martin and Sallie explore the strengths of each of the front runners in terms of ministry usage. Should your church be a Mac or PC?

Ministry Resources:

  • (22:55) Jim Baur from Christ in Baxter, MN recommends Free-Scores.com
  • Share a helpful resource that makes a difference in your ministry, and you will ll be entered to win an Apple TV. Deadline for entry is May 31, 2014.

Listener Reviews:

Tech tips:

  • (29:56) Generating secure passwords from LastPass
  • Dual monitors

Picks of the week:

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(52:51) Episode 317 – Giving thanks for tech-in-ministry is the discussion topic Martin and Sallie will tackle next week. (Release date – 11/26/13)

Music download:

(53:22) This week only, download a free music single from WELS artist Kevin Loersch – Now the Light Has Gone Away – Arranged by Kevin Loersch

Get involved:

315 – Looking At Our Screens

Tune in to this episode of WELSTech for a discussion of chapter 5 of the current WELSTech book selection, The Shallows, an interview with Pastor Jared Oldenburg, author of the Who Is Jesus? iBook and details on a Christmas video contest being held on the Bread for Beggars website.

The discussion:

New media via the Net – Martin and Sallie discuss chapter 5 of Nicholas Carr’s book, The Shallows, focusing on the changes that have taken place in media as it is webified as well as the results on our ways of thinking.

The interview:

(13:36) The Author Speaks – Pastor Jared Oldenburg from Eternal Rock in Castle Rock, CO talks with Martin and Sallie about his role in authoring the Who Is Jesus? book for iPad.

Listener Reviews:

(27:03) Share your review of software, hardware or web sites which assist with your personal or professional ministry efforts, and you will be entered to win a Nexus 7 tablet. Deadline for entry is May 31, 2014.

Ministry Resources:

  • (28:15) Free Bible Images of Christmas
  • Share a helpful resource that makes a difference in your ministry, and you will ll be entered to win an Apple TV. Deadline for entry is May 31, 2014.

Tech tips:

  • (30:23) Keyboard shortcuts for new tabs and windows
    • New tab – Control+T
    • Reopened the last tab closed – Control+Shift+T
    • New Window – Control+N
  • The joys of tethering – iOS requirements

Picks of the week:

WELS.net feature:

(43:01) Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary will celebrate their 150th anniversary with festival worship on November 17 at 3 and 7 p.m. Tune in for live streaming of the 3 p.m. service.

Of interest:

(44:21) Bread for Beggars Christmas Video Contest

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(55:03) Episode 316 – Martin and Sallie square off as they debate the pros and cons of their favorite platforms – Mac vs. PC and Android vs. iOS. (Release date – 11/19/13)

Music download:

(55:44) This week only, download a free music single from WELS musician Patrick Watson (www.reverbnation.com/#!/patwatsonproject) – Joy

Get involved:

314 – Sometimes You Don’t Need A Kleenex

Jason Schmidt returns to WELSTech for another season of educational technology guest host appearances, and this week the topic is interactive whiteboard options. Martin and Sallie chime in with their usual tips, picks and community feedback round up. Plus this week you’ll want to grab the free Reformation instrumental download from Timothy Moke.

The discussion:

Interactive Whiteboards – SMART Boards may be the industry standard for interactive whiteboards (IWB), but they aren’t the only player on the field. Guest host Jason Schmidt joins Martin and Sallie for our edtech discussion of IWB alternatives.

The interview:

(16:30) Mimio Teach Bar – Tim Franke, a territory manager for Mimio, chats with Martin and Sallie about the versatile Mimio Teach Bar which transforms an existing whiteboard into a cost-effective solution for interactive whiteboard technology.

Ministry Resources:

  • (29:10) 23 Church Podcast Ideas
  • Share a helpful resource that makes a difference in your ministry, and you will ll be entered to win an Apple TV. Deadline for entry is May 31, 2014.

Tech tips:

Picks of the week:

Of interest:

(49:55) Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary will celebrate their 150th anniversary with festival worship on November 17 at 3 and 7 p.m. Tune in for live streaming of the 3 p.m. service.

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(56:14) Episode 315 – Martin and Sallie continue the discussion of our current WELSTech book discussion, The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains by Nicholas Carr. Read along with us as we discuss chapter 5. (Release date – 11/12/13)

Music download:

(56:51) This week only, download a free music single from WELS musician Timothy Moke (www.jeanninedennis.com/moke/) – A Mighty Fortress

Get involved: