203 – Gail’s Summer Vacation

This week is WELSTech classroom week as we welcome back Gail Potratz and talk to teacher Kurt Gosdeck about his new school year in a 1-to-1 environment.

The discussion:

What did you learn – Our WELSTech semi-regular classroom technology correspondent, Gail Potratz from Emanuel in New London, WI, is back to talk with Martin and Sallie about her busy summer of learning.

The interview:

Kurt Gosdeck

(16:35) In the hands of digital natives – Kurt Gosdeck, Director of Technology and 3rd and 4th grade teacher at St. Lucas in Kewaskum, WI, joins Martin and Sallie to talk about his new school year in a 1:1 student netbook environment.  Hear how the program was started including the funding of the netbooks, their plans for rolling it out to all students in 3rd to 8th grade, and details of the experience thus far into the school year.

1:1 Kids – Click to view larger

Ministry resources:

(39:47) Christian Computing Magazine

News in tech:

(41:28) Facebook changes

Picks of the week:

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(56:22) Episode 204 – J.J. Ramberg, co-founder of GoodSearch.com, joins Martin and Sallie as we talk about all things search. (Release date – 10/05/11)

The featured artist:

(57:43) We close the podcast with the music of L. A. Miller – Flyin’ Free from the CD titled “Night and Day”

Get involved:

202 – Sign Me Up

This week the WELSTech Podcast discussion topic is centered around calendar utilities.

The discussion:

Calendar solutions – The heartbeat of the church and school office is the event calendar. Listen as Martin and Sallie share utilities to make working with your calendar and scheduling appointments, events, volunteers and resources a breeze.

News in tech:

Picks of the week:

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(40:59) Episode 203 – It’s our first tech-in-education podcast in the new school year! We welcome back Gail Potratz to the conversation as well as chat with teacher Kurt Gosdeck regarding the 1-to-1 computer implementation in his classroom. (Release date – 09/28/11)

The featured artist:

(42:01) We close the podcast with the music of Cross to Glory – I Have Ev’ry Reason from their CD titled “Life’s Song”

Get involved:

201 – Take Two

This week the next WELSTech Podcast book discussion kicks off and we hear about new digital products from Northwestern Publishing.

The discussion:

Grab your reading glasses – Martin and Sallie kick off the latest WELSTech book selection, The Church of Facebook by Jesse Rice.  The book, subtitled “How the Hyperconnected Are Redefining Community”, looks at the effect social media has had on our lives and on the connections we make.  Listen to a discussion of the book introduction, including a look at the strange occurrence at the opening of the Millennium Bridge in London, and grab a copy to read along with us.

The interview:

(12:22) NPH goes digital – Kurt Adams and Mark Buske from Northwestern Publishing House (NPH) join Martin and Sallie to talk about the recent addition of a variety of digital items to their product line.

Ministry resources:

News in tech:

Picks of the week:

Of interest:

  • (39:50) Check out the latest issue of the ShopWELS Insider for information on great deals available to congregations, schools and individuals from a variety of vendors including Apple, Verizon and InfoCor.  Subscribe to receive the newsletter via e-mail each quarter. Sign up at ShopWELS.net to take advantage of the special pricing.

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(50:48) Episode 202 – Key to church office success is managing the ever-changing calendar of events. Tune in as Martin and Sallie share tips on effective calendaring. (Release date – 09/21/11)

The featured artist:

(51:50) We close the podcast with the instrumental music of In His Service (www.adagioconcepts.com) – Send Me from their CD titled “In His Time”

Get involved:

200 – Celebrating 200 … With Our Listeners

The WELSTech Podcast 200th anniversary celebration features the voices of our listeners as they share their own WELSTech goodness.

The discussion:

Treats for the new century – Martin and Sallie reveal the redesigned WELSTech website and new podcast theme music.

Listener voicemails:

(7:30) Special messages from WELSTech listeners – Listen with Martin and Sallie to well wishes from listeners old and new, from the church office to a 3rd and 4th grade classroom, from past interviewees to some folks we’ve met face-to-face along the way, and from Alaska to Massachusetts to Mexico!

Winner announcement:

(37:24) The moment we’ve all been waiting for – The winner of the custom WELSTech Flip Mino HD video camera is announced.  Is it you??

Favorite WELSTech moments:

(38:22) Outstanding – After recording 200 episodes, hear about the podcast moments that stand out for Martin and Sallie.

Picks of the week:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(46:46) Episode 201 –  Back in the swing of things, we kick off our latest book for discussion, The Church of Facebook by Jesse Rice.  Also Kurt & Mark from Northwestern Publishing House join us to share the details on their latest digital products.  (Release date – September 14, 2011)

The featured artist:

(48:38) We close the podcast with a new WELSTech featured artist, instrumentalist Joey Schumann (JoeySchumann.com | Joey on Facebook) – Americana Medley from his CD with the same title

Get involved: