073 – Warm Ears, Hot Video

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This week the WELSTech podcast explores online video for education as we talk with Anne Feldkamp from Learn 360.com.

The discussion:

Video in the Classroom – Gail Potratz, Technology Coordinator for Emanuel in New London, WI, rejoins Martin and Sallie for our monthly conversation focusing on classroom technology. This month we look at online educational video resources, touching on the necessary hardware setup as well as fee-based and free video resources

The interview:

Anne Feldkamp(18:45) The Educator’s Digital Library – Anne Feldkamp, Learn 360’s Content Acquisition and Product Development Manager, talks with Martin and Sallie about the benefits of their media on demand service which puts a library of digital media at teacher’s fingertips 24/7.

  • Learn360.com
  • Support WELS Parish Schools and receive a complimentary subscription to Learn 360

New Technology Showcase:

  • (34:56) Read a review of Verizon’s MiFi 2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot by David Pogue from The New York Times
  • Search Verizon to see if MiFi is available in your area

Picks of the week:

WELS.net feature:

  • (49:22) Summer vacation time is the perfect time to remind your members about the WELS Locator service – wels.locatorsearch.com

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(57:02) Episode 074 – Rob Benson will join Martin and Sallie for a discussion of the oh-so-glamorous task of backup

The featured artist:

(58:14) The music of WELS artist WendySue Fluegge (www.wendysue.com) closes this week’s podcast – Teach Me from her CD titled “The Instrument”

Get involved:

072 – e-Me’s and Virtual Integrity

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This week on the WELSTech podcast Internet security expert and author Dan Lohrmann joins Martin and Sallie to share ideas on avoiding the pitfalls of integrity theft.

The interview and discussion:

Dan LohrmannHabits of Online Integrity – Dan Lohrmann, author of Virtual Integrity: Faithfully Navigating the Brave New Web, shares his knowledge of the traps that exist which lead Christians to sacrifice their online integrity as well as practical solutions to combat the temptations.  One option which Dan explores in his book is the use of accountability software.  Martin and Sallie share information on several programs as well as ministry applications for the software tools.

New Technology Showcase:

Picks of the week:

Of interest:

  • (49:25) Tune in to live streaming of Seminary Call Service, Ascension Concert and Graduation
  • Check the schedule and watch the events at streams.wels.net/site/live

Community feedback:

  • (50:15) Listener Jeremy Johnson left a comment on our last show notes page with lots of thoughts on the topics discussed and a Wikipedia alternative, www.conservapedia.com
  • Jason Schmidt from Gethsemane in Omaha, NE “tweeted” several great links:
    • Drop.io adds web presentations – present.io
    • iTALC is an open source software alternative for computer lab management
    • Link to a specific spot in a YouTube video
    • Online Bible baseball
  • Vicar Michael Johnson from St. Andrew in Waunekee, WI sent us an invite to their new facebook page
  • David Savatski from WELS Missions and member of Living Word in Waukesha, WI left a voicemail regarding his congregation’s use of the Evangelism Toolbox DVD and his personal review of Windows 7 Release Candidate

Coming up on WELSTech:

(1:01:08) Episode 073 – Gail Potratz lends her classroom perspective to our discussion of educational video channels, and we talk with a representative from Learn360.com.

The featured artist:

(1:02:14) This week we close with the music of WELS praise band Koine (www.koinemusic.com) – Christ is our Cornerstone from their CD titled “Koine II”

Get involved:

  • Add a comment below
  • Send us an e-mail [email protected]
  • Leave us a voice mail 414-375-2334
  • Add to the WELSTech wiki welstechwiki.wels.net
  • Contribute to the #WELSTech Twitter conversation
  • Follow us on Twitter – mspriggs and welstechtrainer
  • Use the del.icio.us tag welstech
  • Join the WELSTech community:
    • WELSTech listserve
    • WELSTech on facebook

071 – Electronic Church Doors

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This week the WELSTech podcast examines the platforms and methods available to spread the Word in the 21st century.

The discussion:

Pastor Mike HintzAnswering the question – Pastor Mike Hintz, Administrator for WELS Commission on Evangelism, joins in on Martin and Sallie’s discussion of chapter’s 6 and 7 of Clay Shirky’s book, Here Comes Everybody.  In terms of evangelism today, the question isn’t “Where or what is the church?” but “Who is God?”, and we can use the power of the Internet to share our confessional response to that question.

New Technology Showcase:

Picks of the week:

  • (33:30) Free Animoto for Educators – Create animated videos of your photos
    • Thanks to Jason Schmidt from Gethsemane in Omaha, NE for this link!
    • Check out their FAQ for a great Gmail method of creating “dummy” student e-mail accounts
  • FoxitPDF

Of interest:

  • (41:29) This week features live streaming of MLC Graduation and Call Service as well as Vicar Call Service
  • Check the schedule and watch the events at streams.wels.net/site/live

Community feedback:

  • (43:53) Welcome WELSTech listeners, Prof. Bob Anderson and Missionary Mike Hartman
  • Are you a WELSTech listener with a ministry technology idea to share?  We’d love to interview you!  Contact us to get the ball rolling!
  • Pastor Dan Witte from Risen Savior in Lakewood Ranch, FL shared several great links:
    • OneLicense.net announces licensing to cover podcasts
    • Enroll in the upcoming Google Teacher Academy – August 5 in Boulder, CO
    • Handle comments on your blog with IntenseDebate
    • Need a desert island Bible software pick?  Pastor Witte wouldn’t want to live without BibleWorks
    • The New York Times is talking Twitter, just like WELSTech

Coming up on WELSTech:

(50:29) Episode 072 – We’ll talk with Dan Lohrmann, author of Virtual Integrity and discuss accountability software options.

The featured artist:

(52:15) This week we close with piano music of Dawn Gehlhar – Beautiful Savior from her CD titled “Inspiration”

Get involved:

  • Add a comment below
  • Send us an e-mail [email protected]
  • Leave us a voice mail 414-375-2334
  • Add to the WELSTech wiki welstechwiki.wels.net
  • Contribute to the #WELSTech Twitter conversation
  • Follow us on Twitter – mspriggs and welstechtrainer
  • Use the del.icio.us tag welstech
  • Join the WELSTech community:
    • WELSTech listserve
    • WELSTech on facebook

070 – Twitter…What’s It Good For Anyway?

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This week on the WELSTech podcast we share ideas for using Twitter as a communication channel for your church or school, and we talk with Dick Diener about some interesting classroom technology projects.

The discussion:

All Things Twitter – By now WELSTech listeners have undoubtedly heard of the popular micro-blogging site, Twitter.  Martin and Sallie bring you up to speed on what Twitter is and more importantly on how this new instant communication channel can be leveraged for ministry purposes.

The interview:

Dick Diener(19:22) Integrating technology in the classroom – Martin and Sallie talk with Dick Diener, WELS member of Our Savior in Grafton, WI and Technology Integrator for the Mequon-Thiensville School District, about several interesting school technology projects.  Dick invites WELS schools to be part of the international “Honoring Veterans” wiki sharing project.

  • Japanese Friendship Doll podcast for the Milwaukee Public Museum
  • Honoring Veterans Ozaukee County podcast project
  • Schools are invited to post their veterans projects at honoring-veterans.wikispaces.com/share

New Technology Showcase:

Picks of the week:

Of interest:

  • (52:14) Live streaming graduation and call services – Schedule for May 15-22

Community feedback:

  • (53:32) Cindy Krueger from Shepherd of the Hills in Lansing, MI shared progress her congregation is making toward a facebook presence and passed along WELSTech ideas for summer learning to others
  • Pastor Jeremiah Gumm from Cross of Christ in Liverpool, NY shared a link to 10 Things to Fix on Your Website from the Web Driven Church blog
  • Following up on the interview with WELS musicianary Mike Westendorf, Mark Heilman shared a link to Twinfinity Creations, a consignment space for Christian art, music and books
  • Recent updates on the WELSTech wiki (welstechwiki.wels.net) include
    • Work by John Shoosmith from Redeemer in Yakima, WA on the Closed Caption Video page and the Congregations in iTunes page
    • A new Technology Planning page to house ideas and sample church technology plans
  • Ryan Rosenthal from Faith in Fond du Lac, WI shared a comment on his recent WELSTech Contest win, “Of course the real winners are my school and students because of the great ideas I have gotten from listening to WELSTech!”
  • Gail Potratz from Emanuel in New London, WI left an audio comment recommending Switch from NCH Software, a format changer companion for WavePad audio editor
  • Mary Raether from New Hope in West Melbourne, FL was looking for our past conversation on wiki tools

Coming up on WELSTech:

(1:04:19) Episode 071 – The discussion will center around chapter seven of Clay Shirky’s book Here Comes Everybody, “Faster and Faster”

The featured artist:

(1:05:28) This week we close with the music of Revelation, a music ministry of Wisconsin Lutheran College (www.revelationwlc.com) – Roll the Stone Away from their CD titled “We Walk By Faith”

Get involved: