Episode 034 – Aug 27 2008

This week on WELSTech Martin, Sallie and our semi-regular classroom correspondent, Gail Potratz, discuss congregation and school uses for wikis.  Also, we are joined by Maria Andersen as she shares how Web 2.0 leveled the playing field when it comes to teaching online.

The discussion:

  • Wikis – Martin, Sallie and Gail give listeners a crash course on wikis, a very popular Web 2.0 tool which can be used for web-based collaboration in churches and schools.  Featuring easy set-up and update functions that anyone can do without HTML or other programming knowledge, wikis also allow for inclusion of all forms of multi-media content.
    • www.wikispaces.com
      • Gail’s sample WELSTech wiki – welstechwiki.wikispaces.com
    • www.pbwiki.com
      • Educator tools
    • www.wetpaint.com
      • Martin’s sample WELSTech wiki – welstech.wetpaint.com
    • Set up you own server-based wiki using open-source MediaWiki.org

The interview:

  • Maria Anderson - real and avatarLeveling the online education playing field (20:10) – Maria Andersen, who serves on the Math Faculty at Muskegon Community College, joins Martin and Sallie to discuss her experiences as an online calculus teacher and share how Web 2.0 tools allow all her students to communicate with her regardless of their software and hardware set-up.  You’ll even hear the story behind the purple calculus teacher avatar that Maria uses on her blog.

The tidbits:

  • Picks of the week (39:05)
  • WELS.net feature (50:00)
    • Through My Bible in 3 Years – a variety of flavors to suit every taste
      • Pamphlet from NPH
      • Read online or subscribe for e-mail or RSS delivery – www.wels.net/jump/bible3
      • Listen on your computer or MP3 player – www.wels.net/jump/bible3podcast
      • Display the RSS feeds on your web site
      • Combine it all into a Bible reading program for your congregation – Sample from St. John’s in Sleepy Eye, MN – www.stjohnsse.com/in-the-word
  • Of interest (53:41)
    • WELS Marriage Retreats – www.wels.net/jump/marriageretreat
  • Community feedback (54:40)

The featured artist:

  • We close with the music WELS contemporary praise band, Koine (www.koinemusic.com) – Chief of Sinners Though I Be from their CD title Koine (59:42)

Get involved:

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