Tag Archive for: The Shallows

332 – The Shallow End

What is WELSTech without a lively book discussion? Even though Martin is traveling, he manages to join Sallie for the conclusion of the sometimes contentious book discussion of The Shallows. He brings along a tip and pick as well, and Sallie shares some interesting community feedback. Listen up!

The discussion:

The ShallowsBook wrap up – Apps for speed reading, such at Spritz, promise to lower reading time while increasing comprehension. But are these digital enhancements taxing our overloaded brains even more?  Martin and Sallie conclude their discussion of the current WELSTech book selection, The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing To Our Brains by Nicholas Carr. In chapters 9 and 10, the author drives home his point that the electronic smorgasbord of the Internet does have an effect on our brains ability to store information in long-term memory. We need “down time” to allow our brains to process and store memories.

Tech tips:

  • The Power of the Windows Search Key
  • Share (don’t e-mail) files

Picks of the week:

Of interest:

Registration is officially open for summer FinalWeb training with Martin and Sallie at the Center for Mission and Ministry, July 29 – August 1. Learn more and sign up at bit.ly/fwtraininginfo.

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 333 – Video is the focus of the next WELSTech episode. Specifically Martin and Sallie will discuss considerations and mechanics of live streaming worship and WLC Prof. Steve Zambo will share techniques for enhancing video production. (Broadcast date – 03/18/14)

Music download:

This week only, download a free music single from Cross To Glory (www.facebook.com/crosstoglory) – My Grace Will Do

Get involved:

328 – The Church of Google

Google’s place in our lives and influence over the way we think is the subject of chapter 8 of Nicholas Carr’s The Shallows and also the subject of today’s WELSTech discussion. Martin and Sallie may be on opposite sides of the debate, but they find common ground in today’s discussion.  Listen for that, plus a ton of community feedback covering everything from midi music to webcam doorbells.

The discussion:

Is Google Evil? – The WELSTech book discussion is back, and today’s topic is chapter 8 of Nicholas Carr’s The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing To Our Brains which focuses on Google’s powerful position and how they may be using it to influence the way we think. Recognizing this, but also pointing out the author’s premise focuses only on the effect of these changes on our brains while overlooking our souls, Martin makes a great point about the Christian’s soul in light of all the changes around us.

Tech tips:

Picks of the week:

Of interest:

Join the online interactive Bible study led by WELS President Mark Schroeder on the topic of “I’d like to read the Bible, but …” happening Wednesdays in February at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Eastern time. Learn more.

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 329 – Join Martin and Sallie for a discussion for the important topic of copyright as it relates to the church and school. (Release date – 02/18/14)

Music download:

This week only, download a classic WELS tune from ExCorde – Lutheran Woman

Get involved:

Feature image courtesy of Maria Guimarães

324 – Your Mind, The Juggler

This week on WELSTech we return to our current book discussion, The Shallows by Nicolas Carr, with a lively discussion of the effects the Internet is having on our ability to get beyond cursory levels of thinking. Musicians will be happy to learn about this week’s ministry resource. There are tips and picks and events and teacher resources shared as well. And, for the first time ever, WELSTech-ers joined the conversation in real time using the Google Hangout Q&A tool!

The discussion:

One thimble at a time – Martin and Sallie debate the points of Chapter 7 of The Shallows by Nicolas Carr, titled “The Juggler’s Brain”. The Internet’s hyperlinks and multi-media coupled with our response to the often-times overwhelming stream of information by multitasking and power-browsing are rewiring our brains and interfering with our ability to process and store meaningful knowledge.  Or perhaps it isn’t that bad?

Ministry resources:

  • Jim Baur from Christ in Baxter, MN recommends OpenHymnal.org
  • Share a helpful resource that makes a difference in your ministry, and you will be entered to win an Apple TV. Deadline for entry is May 31, 2014.

Tech tips:

Picks of the week:

WELS.net (and beyond) feature:

Defining Technology by Pastor Caleb Bassett, WELS Hymnal Committee Technology Chairmen

Of interest:

  • WELS marriage retreats abound. Learn more.
  • FinalWeb training at the Center for Mission and Ministry date change – July 29 to August 1

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 325 – Join us for WELSTech Live from Martin Luther College. Martin and Sallie talk with MLC students about their ideas for tech in their future ministries. (Release date – 01/22/14)

Music download:

This week only, download a free music single from Cross To Glory (www.facebook.com/crosstoglory) – He Is

Get involved:

319 – eBooks For All … Even Ding-A-Lings

On WELSTech today we look at how ebooks are changing the way we read as we return to our current book discussion of The Shallows by Nicholar Carr. HymnSoft Version 3 was recently released so we talk with folks behind the project and take a look at the software in action. Also there is much to share in the Community Feedback mailbag including a fantastic video that was recently released by Lakeside Lutheran High School. Sallie is dingy, and Martin does something never before done on WELSTech. Don’t miss it!

The discussion:

The great eBook debate – Chapter 6 of Nicholas Carr’s The Shallows, titled “The Very Image of a Book”, is the topic of this month’s book discussion. Martin and Sallie explore the subtle and not so subtle changes that have occurred with the progressive use of eBooks. Which do you prefer – print or eBook format?

The interview:

(23:06) HymnSoft Version 3 – Carl Nolte, Editor of Sacred Music and Worship at Northwestern Publishing House and Pastor Mike Schultz, Director of the WELS Hymnal Project, share a behind-the-scenes look at the newest version of HymnSoft which includes hymns and worship settings from Christian Worship, Christian Worship Supplement and Occasional Services.

Ministry resources:

  • (46:15) Ryan Rosenthal from Faith in Fond du Lac, WI shared ideas for using Dropbox.com cloud-based file storage to provide resources for students and parents
  • 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:

Of interest:

Upcoming streamed Koine Christmas concert via WELS Streams – December 19 at 7:00 pm

Picks of the week:

Community feedback:

 

Coming up on WELSTech:

(1:15:50) Episode 320 – Martin and Sallie talk mobile apps for ministry and more and Prof. Tom Kuster joins the discussion to share details on this year’s Christ In Media Institute worldwide mobile outreach project. (Release date – 12/17/13)

Music download:

(1:16:20) Enjoy a free music download from WELS flutist Jeannine Dennis (jeanninedennis.com) – Silent Night

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:

310 – Are We Blockheads?

Tune in to today’s WELSTech for the next chapters of our regular book discussion (we’ll settle the blockhead debate once and for all) as well as a shiny tech giveaway announcement, a free digital magazine and much more.

The discussion:

Historic brain change – Today Martin and Sallie revisit this season’s book discussion selection, The Shallows by Nicholas Carr. In chapters 2-4 the author takes a historic look at the introduction of clocks to society as well as the shift from oral to written communication. The changes in human behavior that occurred because of these historic events support the fairly recent understanding of the malleable or plastic characteristics of God’s amazing creation, our brain, which allows it to change in response to new influences.

Ministry Resources:

(24:19) Church JuiceWays to Improve Your Church Bulletin

Listener Reviews:

(26:55) Share your review of software, hardware or web sites which assist with your personal or professional ministry efforts, and you will ll be entered to win a Nexus 7 tablet. Deadline for entry is May 31, 2014.

Tech tips:

  • (29:22) Highlights and notes on Kindle
  • Google Forms e-mail notifications

Picks of the week:

WELS.net feature:

(46:15) Forward in Christ magazine has gone digital! Try it out for free through the end of the year.

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(54:13) Episode 311 – Next week join Martin and Sallie as we tour the many features of the WELS Mobile App. (Release date – 10/15/13)

Music download:

(58:04) Beginning next week we’ll share a free song from a WELS artist for download each week.

Get involved:

306 – The Shallows

Things are changing on today’s WELSTech as we kick off our newest book discussion selection. During the school year we’ll be talking about a chapter a month of Nicholas Carr’s The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains. Also new this fall is a weekly tech tip from Martin and Sallie plus a renewed focus on ministry resources.

The discussion:

Book discussion kick off – It’s back to the regular WELSTech schedule this week as Martin and Sallie begin the discussion of this season’s book discussion selection, The Shallows by Nicholas Carr. Today’s discussion kicked off with a video overview of the book (6:15), and continued with a look at the prologue and chapter 1.

The author describes the change to “staccato”, internet-speed thinking, and the move away from deep comprehension. It seems that actually reading the book will be a worthy challenge to our digitized brains.

Ministry Resources:

(21:02) We’re rebooting our Ministry Resources segment and looking for WELSTech listener assistance to share many tech-in-ministry ideas. Martin promises a prize drawing next spring for those who submit comments. Let the sharing begin!

Tech tips:

  • (23:12) How to change where Chrome downloads files
  • Copy to Notepad (or your favorite text editor) to clean up text formatting

Picks of the week:

Of interest:

(42:05) Even if you can’t attend this weekend’s WELSTech Camp in person, you can follow the live streaming and group collaborative notes. Find links posted on the WELSTech Camp wiki.

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(48:45) Episode 307 – Tune in for special coverage of the first ever WELSTech live event. We’ll bring you the best of the discussions and activities from WELSTech Camp 2013. (Release date – 09/17/13)

The featured artist:

(49:05) We close this week’s WELSTech with the music of Michael Schroeder (www.michaelschroeder.com and on Facebook) – A Friend of Mine

Get involved: