133 – Great Classroom Websites

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This week on the WELSTech podcast Martin and Gail discuss classroom websites and trips to the moon.

The discussion:

Focusing on classroom sites – Martin is joined by the WELSTech semi-regular classroom technology correspondent, Gail Potratz, from Emanuel in New London, WI and they discuss three uses for classroom sites including posting resources for kids and parents as well as making connections to a global audience.  Listen for tips to satisfy all those needs and project a great view of your classroom for the online school shoppers.

  • FinalWeb Training in Milwaukee, WI and New Ulm, MN
  • We Remember – Vietnam War tribute web site by Gail’s 8th graders

The interview:

Cris Ladwig(16:20) Learn from a Pro – Fourth grade teacher Cris Ladwig from Emanuel in New London, WI talks with Gail about the success of her classroom web site.  Ease of communication is the goal!

  • Visit Cris’ classroom site

News in tech:

Picks of the week:

  • (39:50) Diigo Groups for classrooms
  • DoubleTwist – a unifying media platform that connects consumers with all their media and all their devices

Community feedback:

(47:05) Visit the WELSTech Listserve to learn more about library software and add your comments

Coming up on WELSTech:

(49:43) Episode 134 – Steven Stelter of Stelter Design joins the conversation to share his knowledge on logo design and development of a “brand”. (Release date 06/02/10)

The featured artist:

(50:40) We close the podcast with the music of The Branches Band (www.branchesband.com) – Holy Spirit from their CD titled “Sing, My Tongue”

Get involved:

  • Add a comment below
  • Send us an e-mail [email protected]
  • Leave us a voice mail 405-FOR-WELS (405-367-9357)
  • Add to the WELSTech wiki welstechwiki.wels.net
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  • Follow us on Twitter – mspriggs and welstechtrainer
  • Use the del.icio.us tag welstech
  • Use the diigo tag welstech
  • Join the WELSTech community:

132 – Spriggs Squared

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This week the WELSTech podcast welcomes two Mac-friendly guests as we explore the use of Macs in ministry.

The discussion:

Inside Apple – The Spriggs boys are taking over!  Listen as Martin’s son, Aaron Spriggs, our WELSTech resident Apple store guy, shares his insight into the popularity of Mac products.

The interview:

Pastor Steve Bauer(14:25) Macs in Ministry – Pastor Steve Bauer from Faith in West Newton, PA joins Martin and Sallie to discuss his use of Mac-based Bible software, Accordance, as well as some other Mac favorites of his.

News in tech:

Picks of the week:

Of interest:

  • (54:25) Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary Graduation and Call Day – If you can’t be there in person, plan to tune in to the special services via live video stream – wels.net/streams/live.
    • Graduate Assignments – Thursday, May 20 at 10:00 a.m.
    • Graduation Concert – Thursday, May 20 at 7:00 p.m.
    • Graduation – Friday, May 21 at 10:00 a.m.
  • FinalWeb Training in Milwaukee, WI and New Ulm, MN

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(1:04:52) Episode 133 – What belongs on a great classroom web site?  Gail Potratz joins us for this education-focused discussion. (Release date 05/26/10)

The featured artist:

(1:06:16) We close the podcast with the music of Dawn Gehlhar – Amazing Grace from her CD titled “Inspirations”

Get involved:

  • Add a comment below
  • Send us an e-mail [email protected]
  • Leave us a voice mail 405-FOR-WELS (405-367-9357)
  • 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
  • Use the diigo tag welstech
  • Join the WELSTech community:

131 – How’s Your Website Looking?

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This week on the WELSTech podcast we talk web design and hear from long-time listener Perry Lund about his Joomla church web site.

The discussion:

  • Graduation and Call Day season has arrived – If you can’t be there in person, plan to tune in to the special services via live video stream.  All events except the MLC Graduation Concert will be broadcast on WELS Streams – wels.net/streams/live.
    • Martin Luther College
      • Graduation Concert – Friday, May 14 at 4:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. via the Chapel of the Christ uStream Channel – ustream.tv/channel/mlc-chapel
      • Graduation – Saturday, May 15 at 10:00 a.m.
      • Call Service – Saturday, May 15 at 2:30 p.m.
    • Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary
      • Vicar Assignments – Tuesday, May 18 at 7:00 p.m.
      • Graduate Assignments – Thursday, May 20 at 10:00 a.m.
      • Graduation Concert – Thursday, May 20 at 7:00 p.m.
      • Graduation – Friday, May 21 at 10:00 a.m.
  • Web Design – What message does the look of your church or school web site convey to those who visit for the first time?  Listen as Martin and Sallie share ideas to improve your site design including color choices and CSS tweaks. WELSTech listeners can even take a sneak peek at two new FinalWeb templates!

The interview:

Perry Lund(20:30) Joomla at Grace – Perry Lund, lay member and web developer from Grace in Oskaloosa, IA, chats with Martin and Sallie about the development of their church web site, Grace-WELS.org, on the Joomla Content Management System (CMS) platform.

News in tech:

(41:00) Skype Video Conferencing

Picks of the week:

Of interest:

  • (50:25) WELSTech is going on a virtual summer Road Trip to all 12 synod districts, and we want to visit your church or school to learn about the tech-in-ministry solutions you are using to further your gospel ministry! Contact Us to schedule your stop on our travel itinerary.
  • FinalWeb Training in Milwaukee, WI and New Ulm, MN

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(1:04:03) Episode 132 – Pastor Steve Bauer joins Martin and Sallie for “Macs in Ministry” week on WELSTech. (Release date 05/19/10)

The featured artist:

(1:05:03) We close the podcast with the music of Wisconsin Lutheran College’s Revelation music ministry (www.revelationwlc.com) – Three Men on a Mountain from their CD titled “Once For All”

Get involved:

  • Add a comment below
  • Send us an e-mail [email protected]
  • Leave us a voice mail 405-FOR-WELS (405-367-9357)
  • 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
  • Use the diigo tag welstech
  • Join the WELSTech community:

130 – More iPad Ammunition

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This week on the WELSTech Podcast we look at the next chapters in the ongoing book discussion and share iPad-in-Ministry resources.

The discussion:

CommunityToday’s communities and leadership – Martin and Sallie return to Shane Hipps’ book, The Hidden Power of Electronic Culture, to discuss chapters 6 and 7 which focus on the effects of our digital age on the formation of communities, on leadership styles and ultimately on the church.

Ministry resources:

(22:05) iPad Bible App from Logos

News in tech:

(23:14) Microsoft Docs for Facebook

Picks of the week:

  • (25:53) Google Apps – Free for non-profits and education
    • Why Schools Are Turning to Google Apps from Mashable
  • Windows Sky Drive  – 25 GB of free online storage

Of interest:

  • (33:07) WELSTech is going on a virtual summer Road Trip, and we want to visit your church or school to learn about the tech-in-ministry solutions you are using to further your gospel ministry! Contact Us to schedule your stop on our travel itinerary.
  • FinalWeb Training in Milwaukee, WI and New Ulm, MN

Community feedback:

  • (36:53) Jason Schmidt (jasonschmidt123 on Twitter), a teacher from Gethsemane in Omaha, NE tweeted links to …
  • Missionary Mike Hartman from Leon, Mexico shared his experience with the Carbonite cloud-based backup solution
  • David Schumann from Peace in Janesville, WI wrote in with his ideas for a WELS Virtual Academy

Coming up on WELSTech:

(44:20) Episode 131 – We’re talking web design with Perry Lund, webmaster for Grace in Oskaloosa, IA (grace-wels.org, a Joolma site). (Release date 05/12/10)

The featured artist:

(45:30) We close the podcast with the music of Cross To Glory (www.crosstoglory.com) – One Name from their CD titled “Life’s Song”

Get involved:

  • Add a comment below
  • Send us an e-mail [email protected]
  • Leave us a voice mail 405-FOR-WELS (405-367-9357)
  • 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
  • Use the diigo tag welstech
  • Join the WELSTech community: