125 – Going To School On The Internet

This is classroom technology week on the WELSTech Podcast and Martin welcomes special guests Gail Potratz and Jim Grunwald.

The discussion:

Gail Potratz and Jim GrunwaldInternet Delivery of Education Content – Martin is joined by Dr. Jim Grunwald, Director of Academic Computing at Martin Luther College, and Gail Potratz, Technology Director from Emanuel in New London, WI.  They discuss the many pros as well as the implementation challenges of using a web-based delivery platform for classroom assignments.  Jim also shares information on MLC’s new course offerings targeted to prepare teachers to use and support a variety technology in the school setting.

Ministry resources:

(32:26) Adding Google Analytics to Facebook Fan Pages

Picks of the week:

Of interest:

(45:48) WELS will be streaming the Martin Luther College Chapel of the Christ dedication service on Saturday, April 10 at 7 p.m.  Check out the agenda for the dedication weekend.

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(55:33) Episode 126 – Martin and Sallie preview the resources available at InternetEvangelismDay.com and talk with the man behind the site, Tony Whittaker. (Release date 04/07/10)

The featured artist:

(56:53) We close the podcast with the music of Stephen Bautista (www.stephenbautistamusic.com or @stephenbautista on Twitter) – The Most Beautiful Thing from his CD “Abandon”

Get involved:

124 – Flying Solo

This week on WELSTech we continue our book discussion of The Hidden Power of Electronic Culture.

The discussion:

God’s Medium – The WELSTech book discussion of Shane Hipps’ The Hidden Power of Electronic Culture: How Media Shapes Faith, the Gospel and Church continues with Chapter 5, “Evolving the Medium and the Message”.  Martin and Sallie share insight into the southern style Biblical Greek “y’all”.

planeLive from HIA:

(15:45) Technology in the airport – Sallie shares her impressions of technology from the Houston International Airport.

Ministry resources:

(17:07) 5 Harsh SEO Truths that Ministries Need to Know from Church Crunch

News in tech:

(21:33) Facebook now supplies fan page stats via e-mail.

Picks of the week:

Of interest:

(27:48) WELS will be streaming the Martin Luther College Chapel of the Christ dedication service on Saturday, April 10 at 7 p.m.  Check out the agenda for the dedication weekend.

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(44:34) Episode 125 – Gail Potratz joins the conversation as we talk technology in the classroom and interview Dr. Jim Grunwald about the Computer Education Technology program launching this summer at MLC. (Release date 03/31/10)

The featured artist:

(45:00) We close the podcast with the music of Kevin Loersch – O Sacred Head Now Wounded from his CD “Abide With Me”

Get involved:

123 – The Sound of Green

This week on the WELSTech podcast green technology is the discussion topic and we hear from Office Depot representatives about available ShopWELS.net discounts.

The discussion:

An Eco-Friendly St. Pat’s Day – What better day to “go green” than St. Patrick’s Day.  Martin and Sallie talk green technology (with a bit on green rivers and green cake as well) and share ideas to make your life and your church and school environmentally friendly.

The interview:

Office Depot(23:35) Save on Office Supplies – Joining Martin and Sallie today are Kathleen Wondolkowski and Julie Camp to talk about the many discounted services available to WELS groups and individuals through WELS partnership with Office Depot.

Picks of the week:

Of interest:

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(1:04:36) Episode 124 – Next week is book discussion week.  Read along as we talk through Chapter 5 of Shane Hipps’ The Hidden Power of Electronic Culture. (Release date 03/24/10)

The featured artist:

(1:05:01) We close the podcast with the music of Koine (www.koinemusic.com) – Crown Him With Many Crowns from their CD “Koine”

Get involved:

122 – Social Networking Show and Tell

This week the WELSTech podcast discussion centers on the use of social networks to further the spread of the gospel.

The discussion:

Ministry Is Social – Martin’s recent Social Networking and Ministry presentation at a Minnesota pastor’s conference is the topic of the day.  Use the link above to follow along “Prezi-style” as he and Sallie discuss the appeal and flavors of social networks and some interesting examples of the use of Facebook and Twitter in ministry.

The interview:

Jason Tesch(21:50) Team Effort – Jason Tesch from Eastside in Madison, WI joins Martin and Sallie to share the story behind their polished church web site.

Ministry resources:

(37:45) How to Build a Facebook Page from Mashable

  • More on FBML (Facebook Markup Language)
  • Check out the new FBML-enabled WELSTech tab – set to be the landing page for “non-fans”

Picks of the week:

Of interest:

(44:46) Join Martin in Saginaw, MI for FinalWeb for Dummies. The three day face-to-face training will be held April 6-8 on the campus of Michigan Lutheran Seminary.  Check out details and register at bit.ly/fw4dummies.

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(52:57) Episode 123 – Join us on St. Patrick’s Day as WELSTech “goes green” with ideas for eco-friendly churches and schools including tips from Office Depot representatives. (Release date 03/17/10)

The featured artist:

(53:58) We close the podcast with the music of The Branches Band (www.branchesband.com) – Nothing But The Blood from their CD “Sing, My Tongue”

Get involved:

121 – Digital Easter Goodies

This week the WELSTech podcast focuses on ministry resources for Lent and Easter including Pastor Guy Marquardt’s Interactive Passion History site.

The discussion:

Lent and Easter Ministry Resources – Images, video, sample service folders and Bible reading plans are shared on this special seasonal episode of WELSTech.  Martin and Sallie have done their homework and have lots of digital gems to assist in your Holy Week preparations.

The interview:

Pastor Guy Marquardt(11:40) Witness the Passion History – Pastor Guy Marquardt from Christ in Lodi, CA talks with Martin and Sallie about his Interactive Passion History web site.  Modeled after the popular “Choose Your Own Adventure” books, site visitors learn about the last 24 hours of Christ’s life from the perspective of a servant in Pilate’s household.

Picks of the week:

  • (26:24) Web Resizer – Optimize photos for websites and e-mail
  • ExpanDrive – Simple access to online storage

Of interest:

(32:35) There’s still time to register for the Saginaw, MI FinalWeb for Dummies web site training class. The three day face-to-face training will be held April 6-8 on the campus of Michigan Lutheran Seminary.  Check out details and register at bit.ly/fw4dummies.

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(37:19) Episode 122 – Martin shares notes from his recent Social Networking and Ministry presentation, and we talk with Jason Tesch from Eastside in Madison, WI. (Release date 03/10/10)

The featured artist:

(38:18) We close the podcast with the piano music of Dawn Gehlhar – Precious Lord, Take My Hand from her CD “Inspirations”

Get involved: