084 – Teens, Tech and Trek
This week the WELSTech podcast takes a look back at the recent youth rally and the lessons we can learn about technology in youth ministry.
Podcast: Download (24.5MB)
The discussion:
Reaching youth with technology – Joining Martin and Sallie for a recap of the WELS International Youth Rally are Dr. Joel Nelson and Jeremy Bakken from the Youth Discipleship office. From registration through MySpace to 41 multi-media presentations, the Youth Rally was wired to reach teens in their digital comfort zone. Joel and Jeremy share tips and resources for youth leaders who are considering technology tools for outreach to teens.
- WELSYouthRally.net
- Everyday video devotion series
- Walk in My World video devotion series
- Youth Rally feature on Des Moines TV news
- Living Bold Q&A
New Technology Showcase:
- (29:30) Google Chrome OS announcement
- Microsoft to announce Office online
Picks of the week:
- (27:13) SMART Board resources
- SMART Board Games from PBS Kids
- Teacher Utilities from Harvey’s Homepage
- (32:05) Create panoramic images
- AutoStitch for the iPhone – Check out an iPhone photo of Martin’s desk
- Autopano for Windows
Community feedback:
- (36:25) A recent BWTG episode on Facebook Pages generated these comments:
- Nancy Thompson from Victory of the Lamb in Franklin, WI shared steps for adding a Facebook Page Fan Box to your web site – Info in this Mashable blog post too
- A Mail Chimp blog post details adding a newsletter subscribe form to your facebook page
- And we received positive feedback via Twitter from Picnik regarding our BWTG episode on Web Image Editing
- Alyssa Dunning from our Web Services area shared a link for registering with Google Maps
- Blogger Jim Gates from Tipline – Gates’ Computer Tips clarified his opinion about twitter in the classroom, then appeared to change his mind
- Pastor David Ernest from Gloria Dei in Tinley Park, IL asked about keeping his public e-mail SPAM free. Martin suggested using Javascript to mask e-mail addresses on your web site.
- Pastor Aaron Frey from Emanuel in Tawas City, MI, a.k.a. Exetweet on Twitter, applies that Greek training to WELSTech :-)
- Sallie shares a true geek treat – TrekYourself.com
Coming up on WELSTech:
(50:30) Join us for two episodes of WELSTech next week
- Episode 085 – The BWTG (Bonus WELSTech Goodness) how-to topic of the week is creating custom RSS feeds for your web site using Delicious. (Release date 07/20/09)
- Episode 086 – With Synod Convention less than one week away, this episode of WELSTech will give you a behind-the-scenes look at the technology being used to bring the convention experience to you virtually. (Release date 07/22/09)
The featured artist:
(51:10) This week we close with the music of Revelation, a music ministry of Wisconsin Lutheran College (www.revelationwlc.com) – Such Joy from their CD titled ”We Walk By Faith”
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I think we need to meet the students on their technology platforms, but we need to teach the students that God’s Word is unchangeable and the tools are just that – tools. The technology is not the message, not the salvation, not the way we are saved. Salvation is in Jesus Christ, who does not care about our fetish with technology.
We must also be very aware that technology can also get in the way of face to face communication and we can not become isolated behind technology. I myself have fallen into this trap at times because it is easy.