220 – Google: Friend or Foe?

It’s education week on the WELSTech Podcast as we take a deep dive into Google Apps for the classroom.

The interview:

(2:57) Transforming the classroom – Wisconsin Lutheran College’s Director of Digital Education, Joe Du Fore, talks with Martin and Sallie about this summer’s Google Education Summit where educators can earn 3 hours of graduate credit, get a Google Chromebook, and leave the event prepared to set up, administer and effectively use Google Apps in their schools.

The discussion:

(19:00) Using Google Apps – Jason Schmidt (jasonschmidt123 on Twitter) from Bennington Public Schools returns to his semi-regular technology correspondent role to share with Martin and Sallie his Google Apps experience including uses for faculty planning, student Google Sites and collaborative assignments.

News in tech:

Picks of the week:

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 221 – We launch a new segment on next week’s WELSTech … our first ever 7 Best list!  We’ll discuss our favorite Digital Bible Study Tools and be joined by Pastor Stephen Daley for the pastor’s perspective on digital Bible study. (Release date – 02/01/12)

The featured artist:

(54:20) We close the podcast with the music of Cross to Glory – You Know I Know from their CD titled “Life’s Song”

Get involved:

219 – You, Others, The Word, Online

This week the WELSTech Podcast focuses on how to do online Bible study and Pastor Tom Koch shares details about a new digital Bible study opportunity.

The discussion:

Online Bible Study – Martin and Sallie look at the many forms and tools which can be used to facilitate online Bible study.  From live events to extended discussions following traditional face-to-face studies, “going digital” opens up many new opportunities for Bible study.

The interview:

(13:53) Sit at the digital feet – Pastor Tom Koch from Living Word in Johnson City, TN shares details about an online Bible study opportunity which was developed with the goal of allowing more people the opportunity to study God’s Word with some of our synod’s wisest professors and pastors.

News in tech:

(31:35) Victorinox squeezes 1 TB of high-speed storage into a Swiss Army Knife

Picks of the week:

WELS.net feature:

(42:34) Be sure to grab the WELS ONLINE app for your newest mobile devices!

7 Best:

(44:06) Coming up on February 1st we’ll unveil the very first WELSTech 7 Best list, and listeners can be part of the list creation.  Simply let us know your favorite

Digital Bible Study Tools

You can tweet us using #WELSTech, write on our Facebook or Google+ wall, leave a voicemail (405-FOR-WELS), send an e-mail, mail it in on a carrier pigeon or whatever method you want to use.  Just let us know what you think is best!

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(53:35) Episode 220 – Next week we welcome guest host Jason Schmidt, and we interview WLC’s Joe DuFore as we dive into the topic of Google Apps for Education. (Release date – 01/25/12)

The featured artist:

(54:20) We close the podcast with the instrumental music of In His Service (www.adagioconcepts.com) – Soul, Adorn Yourself With Gladness from their CD titled “In His Time””

Get involved:

218 – Boundaries

This week on the WELSTech Podcast The Church of Facebook book discussion continues, and Pastor Alan Siggelkow shares his observations of Christians usage of social media.

The discussion:

Our blurry social world – Martin and Sallie continue the current book discussion with a look at Chapter 4 of The Church of Facebook where author Jesse Rice compares the adjustment to this new socially connected world to a blind man who regained his sight after 45 years and didn’t know how to interpret all of the new visual input he was receiving.  In a similar fashion, with no frame of reference for social media usage, it’s hard to know where to draw the lines in terms of privacy, relationships and time management.

The interview:

(18:26) The Christian and social media – Pastor Alan Siggelkow, who serves as the chairman of the synod’s Committee on Mental Health Needs and works as a counselor for Wisconsin Lutheran Child and Family Service, chats with Martin and Sallie about the positive and negative ways that social media can be used by Christians.

Ministry resources:

(36:47) Claim your church in Google Places

Picks of the week:

7 Best:

(46:46) Coming up on February 1st we’ll unveil the very first WELSTech 7 Best list, and listeners can be part of the list creation.  Simply let us know your favorite

Digital Bible Study Tools

You can tweet us using #WELSTech, write on our Facebook or Google+ wall, leave a voicemail (405-FOR-WELS), send an e-mail, mail it in on a carrier pigeon or whatever method you want to use.  Just let us know what you think is best!

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(57:51) Episode 219 – Next week on WELSTech we’ll hear from Pastor Tom Koch about online Bible study. (Release date – 01/18/12)

The featured artist:

(58:45) We close the podcast with the music of Corban Creek – Psalm 46 from their CD titled “Could It Be Me”

Get involved:

217 – Better Browsing

This week the WELSTech Podcast includes a special anniversary celebration, and the discussion topic is optimized web browsing.

The discussion:

Ministry resources:

(32:24) Pastor Guy Marquardt from Christ in Lodi, CA reviews the PastoralCare app for iPad

Picks of the week:

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(51:06) Episode 218 – The WELSTech book discussion continues with a look at Chapter 4 of The Church of Facebook. (Release date – 01/11/12)

The featured artist:

(51:35) We close the podcast with the music of  Mike Westendorf (www.mikewestendorf.com and mikewestendorf on Twitter) – The Child Remains from his CD titled “Undefined”

Get involved: