151 – Gail’s Back!

This week WELSTech welcomes back our semi-regular classroom technology correspondent, Gail Potratz, and we talk about technology accountability for teachers.

The discussion:

Technology accountability – After a summer hiatus, Martin and Sallie are happy to welcome back to WELSTech Gail Potratz from Emanuel in New London, WI.  Gail shares her ideas about encouraging teacher technology proficiencies and discusses the plan they will follow in her school this year.

The interview:

Dr. Bernard Bull(21:12) Information Literacy – Dr. Bernard Bull, Assistant Professor of Education at Concordia University Wisconsin in Mequon, WI, talks with Gail about teaching digital natives to be educators and shares advice for all teachers of today’s digital native students.

News in tech:

(38:38) Double authentication coming to Google

Picks of the week:

WELS.net feature:

(57:37) Follow WELS online:

Community feedback:

  • (59:39) Pastor Emile Burges from Trinity in Caledonia, WI shared a suggestion for a Office Administrator Conference.
  • Terry Baier from First Lutheran in La Crosse, WI is considering  the possibility of collaborating with other congregations to share a software support position
  • E-mail WELSTech with ideas, comments or inquiries about either comment

Coming up on WELSTech:

(1:04:15) Episode 152 – WELSTech addresses “The Evils of E-mail” as we share tips and tricks for managing your overwhelming e-mail inbox. (Release date 10/06/10)

The featured artist:

(1:05:50) We close the podcast with the instrumental music of In His Service (www.adagioconcepts.com) – Thy Strong Word from their CD titled “In His Time”

Get involved:

149 – Calling All Secretaries

This week on the WELSTech podcast we begin a new series focusing on the technology used by church and school secretaries and administrators.

The discussion:

Something new on WELSTech – The new fall season of podcasting is in full swing and there’s a new topic to explore!  With this episode we kick off a series which will focus on the important role of office administrator or secretary for the church and/or school and the technology they use to do their jobs.  Martin and Sallie encourage listeners to share the podcast with office personnel and talk about ways to help them network and share ideas.

The interview:

Joanne Nemmers(16:45) Managing the school office – Joanne Nemmers, school secretary for Calvary in Dallas, TX talks with Martin and Sallie about life in the school office.  Find out about her favorite piece of office equipment, the challenges of after-school-care accounting and more.

Ministry resources:

(35:36) KidBlog.org

News in tech:

(38:36) Google Instant Search – Introduction video & details

Picks of the week:

WELS.net feature:

(52:39) Visit the WELSTech Wiki for online worship links and add your congregation

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(1:04:20) Episode 150 – Next week we explore Flickr photo sharing for churches and schools plus we talk with designer Diahann Lohr from Adunate Word & Design. (Release date 09/22/10)

The featured artist:

(1:05:45) We close the podcast with the music of Michael Schroeder (www.michaelschroeder.com and on Facebook) – Forgiveness Is Grace from his CD titled “The Way”

Get involved:

148 – Sallie’s Pick

This week the WELSTech Podcast “hits the books” with the kick-off of a new book discussion.

The discussion:

Leading 21st Century SchoolsA new book selection – Leading 21st Century Schools by Lynne Schrum and Barbara B. Levin (browse sections on Google Books) is the latest book discussion selection for WELSTech.  To get the ball rolling, Martin and Sallie highlight Chapter 1 and apply the concepts to school leaders, teachers and pastors.

Ministry resources:

(19:19) Men’s Network

News in tech:

Picks of the week:

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(41:47) Episode 149 – Joanne Nemmers, school secretary at Calvary in Dallas, TX, joins Martin and Sallie as we look at technology in the school and church office.  Encourage your office administrator to tune in!  (Release date 09/15/10)

The featured artist:

(44:01) We close the podcast with the music of Mike Westendorf (www.mikewestendorf.com and mikewestendorf on Twitter) – Press On from his CD titled “Climb the Mountain”

Get involved:

147 – WELSTech Road Trip: Wrap Up

This week the WELSTech Podcast includes a summer Road Trip recap and the return of some of our favorite features.

Christmas 2010 Scavenger Hunt:

 Clue #2

clue2

Remember, you can use your smartphone or an online decoder to decipher the message.  Additional contest details available here.  Have fun!

Road trip:

roadtrip02cReliving the trip – Coming off of an 11-week virtual tour of the synod, Martin and Sallie revisit each stop and reflect on the lessons learned.  From managing the church office to integrating technology in the classroom, from video conferencing for counseling and Bible class to video closed captioning, from Bible study software to pastoral blogging, the Road Trip highlighted creative uses of technology to assist with and further gospel ministry.

Ministry resources:

(26:30) Seminary Video Library (RSS)

News in tech:

(27:47) Updates to Office Web Apps and Facebook Docs

Picks of the week:

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(39:52) Episode 148 – We kick off a brand new book discussion, this time looking at Leading 21st Century Schools by Lynn Schrum and Barbara B. Levin.  (Release date 09/08/10)

The featured artist:

(41:15) We close the podcast with the music of Stephen Bautista (www.stephenbautistamusic.com or stephenbautista on Twitter) – Forged in the Fire from his CD titled “Abandon”

Get involved: