155 – Teachers’ Conference Redux

The WELSTech Podcast conversation this week is around fall teachers’ conferences.

The discussion:

TeacherTech – The WELSTech semi-regular classroom technology correspondent, Gail Potratz, from Emanuel in New London, WI joins Martin and Sallie as we recap the recent Minnesota District Lutheran Teachers’ Conference.  Special thanks to Jason Hahn, Beth Fischer, Heidi Horak, Kay Abts, Andrea Hahm, and Justin Krause for adding their voices to today’s podcast!

MN District Lutheran Teachers Conference

Ministry resources:

Picks of the week:

WELS.net feature:

(43:12) WELS Locator Search geo-location files – Use your GPS or Google Earth to find any WELS church or school in the US & Canada

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(55:20) Episode 156 – Martin and Sallie talk about St. John’s, Sleepy Eye, new DIY rear projection screen and new wireless mics.  (Release date 11/03/10)

The featured artist:

(56:05) This week we feature the music of Branches Band (www.branchesband.com | Facebook) – Renew Me, O Eternal Light from their CD titled ”Light Eternal”

Get involved:

154 – Getting and Keeping Volunteers

This week the WELSTech Podcast is again focusing on the work of the church and school office, particularly the job of managing and motivating volunteers.

The discussion:

Happy to help – Continuing the focus on the church and school office, Martin and Sallie share ideas for recruiting volunteers and motivating them to come back for future service.

The interview:

Neil Hankwitz(17:33) Volunteering for missions – Imagine managing 3,000 volunteers per year. The staff of WELS Kingdom Workers (WKW) including Communication Manager, Neil Hankwitz, do just that. Neil joins Martin and Sallie to share stories from his 18+ years of experience coordinating home and world mission volunteers.  Hear how WKW is planning to “go social” on their updated web site, connecting like-mined volunteers with stories of service in missions.

Ministry resources:

(30:24) Installment 1 of Martin’s “Facebook for Churches” journey

Picks of the week:

  • (32:34) The Radio Adventures of Dr. Floyd – Eight seasons of family friendly podcast available for free download
  • Maximizing productivity with multiple monitors
    • How-to Guide from Epinions
    • Use two of the same monitors or at least use the same screen size and resolution – Example HP 20″ Monitor
    • Laptops need …
    • Desktops need …
      • A graphics card with two VGA heads

WELS.net feature:

(43:02) Lectionary on Google Calendar

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(55:33) Episode 155 – Gail Potratz joins Martin and Sallie to discuss highlights from the Minnesota and Wisconsin teachers’ conferences.  (Release date 10/27/10)

The featured artist:

(56:35) This week we close with the beautiful piano music of Dawn Gehlhar – All through the Night from her CD titled ”Inspirations”

Get involved:

153 – Tech Cobbling

This week on the WELSTech Podcast we return to our monthly book discussion and have the special privilege of talking with one of the authors, Lynne Schrum.

The discussion:

Millennials and Gen Zs – In Chapter 2 of Leading 21st Century Schools by Lynne Schrum and Barbara B. Levin the focus turns to today’s students and teachers and the technology experience and expectations they bring into the classroom.

The interview:

Lynne Schrum(13:20) A chat with the author – Lynne Schrum, author of the current WELSTech book selection, joins Martin and Sallie with tips for leaders to help them identify where they are in terms of technology integration and work within the various comfort levels of all types of teachers to provide “just in time” training on the tech tools of today.

Ministry resources:

(41:05) Google Translate Adds Latin

News in tech:

Picks of the week:

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(1:12:47) Episode 154 – Office workers will want to tune in for next week’s discussion of all things volunteer related.  (Release date 10/20/10)

The featured artist:

(1:13:34) This week we close with the music of Revelation, a music ministry of Wisconsin Lutheran College (www.revelationwlc.com) – You Are the God from their CD titled ”Led by the Light”

Get involved:

152 – Those Evil E-mails

This week the WELSTech Podcast centers around the effective use of e-mail.

The discussion:

E-mailWhat kind of e-mailer are you? – Is your electronic correspondence short and to the point, prompt, respectful and without error?  Martin and Sallie talk about e-mail best practices and share new ways to use the tool effectively.

Ministry resources:

(24:48) Create a “Free Bible” page from YouVersion – youversion.com/free-bible

News in tech:

(28:38) Xmarks is going out of business

Picks of the week:

WELS.net feature:

(38:08) View the Love In Action video series from Special Ministries

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(49:00) Episode 153 – We’ll continue our book discussion of Leading 21st Century Schools, looking at chapter 2 and talking with author Lynne Schrum. (Release date 10/13/10)

The featured artist:

(49:44) We close the podcast with music from Cross to Glory (www.crosstoglory.com) – The Father’s Song from their CD titled “Life’s Song”

Get involved: