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!

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

129 – Road Trips, Dipity and Flip Flops

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This week’s WELSTech Podcast focus is summer learning opportunities and teacher Gail Potratz joins the conversation.

The discussion:

EducationMake your summer plans – Summer is the perfect season to schedule a conference or class.  Teacher Gail Potratz from Emanuel in New London, WI joins Martin and Sallie as they discuss many interesting enrichment opportunities that are available in the summer of 2010.

News in tech:

(19:52) Ning is no longer free

Picks of the week:

Of interest:

(34:12) 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.

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(48:30) Episode 130 – Chapters 6 and 7 of Shane Hipps book, The Hidden Power of Electronic Culture, will be up for discussion. (Release date 05/05/10)

The featured artist:

(49:27) We close the podcast with the instrumental music of In His Service (www.adagioconcepts.com) – O Lord, Send Forth Your Spirit from their CD titled “In His Time”

Get involved:

128 – Backups, iPads and other fun

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Listen to this week’s WELSTech Podcast for Backup 101 with WELS security guru Rob Benson.

The interview:

Rob BensonBack it up – Rob Benson, WELS Network Security Administrator and techie extraordinaire, joins Martin and Sallie to weigh in on the why, what, when, where and how of backup.

Ministry resources:

(23:40) Creating a Facebook Page for Your Ministry from Church Crunch

News in tech:

(27:15) More iPad reviews – Perry Lund and Rob Benson give us their first-person feedback

Picks of the week:

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(58:22) Episode 129 – Gail Potratz, our semi-regular classroom technology correspondent, joins the conversation as we discuss summer enrichment opportunities. (Release date 04/28/10)

The featured artist:

(59:04) We close the podcast with the music of Corban Creek – Empty Grave from their CD titled “Could It Be Me”

Get involved:

127 – Martin and Sallie’s First Video

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This week on the WELSTech podcast we learn about the audio/video configuration in the new MLC chapel.

The discussion:

The Chapel of the Christ – Martin and Sallie take the WELSTech audience “on the road” as we check out the beautiful new Chapel of the Christ on the campus of Martin Luther College and record our first ever WELSTech videocast.  Watch as we talk with John Nolte, MLC Professor and faculty sponsor of Avco, the student-run audio/video organization, David Hosbach from DSH Audio Visions and students Justin Liepert and Jeffery Clark.  We get a techie tour of the chapel’s new audio video equipment.

Chapel Dedication Collage
View larger

Ministry resources:

(12:30) Biblos.com – online Bible study resources

News in tech:

Picks of the week:

WELS.net feature:

(26:15) WELS Locator – submit your web site and church photo

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(49:06) Episode 128 – We’re hitting the books again on WELSTech. Join us for a discussion of chapter 6 of Shane Hipps’ The Hidden Power of Electronic Culture. (Release date 04/21/10)

The featured artist:

  • (52:42) Blogger Steve Brown from “Worship Ideas You Can Use” called in a comment about Michael Schroeder’s latest CD titled “Worship” which includes companion PowerPoint resources for use in worship.  Read Steve’s review of the CD.
  • We close the podcast with the music of Michael Schroeder (www.michaelschroeder.com and Facebook) – That’s My King from his CD titled “Worship”

Get involved:

126 – Internet Evangelism Day Preview

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This week on the WELSTech podcast we gear up to celebrate Internet Evangelism Day, focusing on personal, digital outreach.

The discussion:

Mark Your Calendar – Sunday, April 25th has been designated as Internet Evangelism Day, an opportunity to promote awareness of tools and methods for personally sharing the gospel in our daily digital lives.  Listen as Martin and Sallie review the many resources which are available to promote internet outreach on this special day and throughout the year.

The interview:

Tony Whittaker(10:34) The Man Behind the Site – Tony Whittaker, the creator of InternetEvangelismDay.com speaks with Martin from his office in England about the history and purpose of the site.

Ministry resources:

(26:25) WELS Android App created using iSites.us

Picks of the week:

Of interest:

(33:35) 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:

(38:08) Episode 127 – Tune in for the techie MLC Chapel of the Christ tour.  We’ll talk with Jeffrey Clark about their audio/video equipment set up. (Release date 04/14/10)

The featured artist:

(39:15) We close the podcast with the music of Mike Westendorf (www.mikewestendorf.com and mikewestendorf on Twitter) – Climb The Mountain from his CD with the same title, “Climb The Mountain”

Get involved:

125 – Going To School On The Internet

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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: