286 – Learning To Look Back

On this edition of WELSTech, we take a look back at some tech achievements in the 2012-13 school year, and we learn about a new resource web site for Lutheran teachers and administrators. Listen for a special discount on the upcoming Google Education Summit and a recap of the recent crowd-writing event sponsored by the Christ In Media Institute.

The discussion:

Year End Assessment – Gail Potratz, one of our semi-regular classroom technology correspondents from Emanuel in New London, WI shares highlights of the 2012-13 school year in terms of tech accomplishments. It’s no surprise that she has good things to say about her Google Apps and Chromebooks pilot program that was implemented this year. She also shares a flipped classroom method using the Explain everything iPad app which she says has become the standard production method in her school.

  • Google Education Summit will take place June 16-21 at Wisconsin Lutheran College
    • Use promo code “WELSTech” and receive a $200 discount on your registration!

The interview:

(23:39) Lutheran Schools Resources – Director of Lutheran Schools, Greg Schmill, and teacher Matt Groth from St. Paul’s in Saginaw, MI debut the recently redesigned Lutheran Schools web site which is loaded with great resources to address all types of teacher and administrator needs. The site also supports the ability for users to share files with others, so look for the site to grow as more WELS teachers begin to use it and share their own resources.

Picks of the week:

Of interest:

(52:47) Christ In Media Institute (CIMI) sponsored a crowd-writing event on April 29 to kick off the Bethany Lutheran College Media Week events. WELSTech friend, Jas Lonnquist, moderated the discussion. The Christian sci-fi premise was released in advance of the event and the discussion continues on the CIMI forums. You can still be part of the development of a future TV or Web broadcast.

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(1:01:22) Episode 287 – Confirmation season is upon us so our WELSTech discussion turns to keeping teens connected to God’s Word, including ways technology can help. Staff minister Brandon Steenbock joins Martin and Sallie to share his experience. (Release date – 05/07/13)

The featured artist:

(1:02:10) We close the podcast with the music of Stephen Bautista (www.stephenbautistamusic.com or stephenbautista on Twitter) – Flowers Are Dancing

Get involved:

285 – Introducing Tech

This week on the WELSTech Podcast we share ideas for successfully (and slowly) introducing tech in your congregation. We also share lots of new WELSTech goodies – from Twitter to Facebook to our very own Resources page. And we have something in our listener feedback mailbag for everyone. Keep calm and listen to WELSTech!

The interview & discussion:

(3:47) Slow and Steady – Are you ready to go digital with your church newsletter or add a projection screen in your sanctuary? On today’s WELSTech Martin and Sallie talk with Pastor Steve Schamber and Jason Petoskey from Holy Trinity in Wyoming, MI about their success with collaborative worship presentations. We also discuss ways to implement all types of tech in your congregation.

News in tech:

(40:53) Happy World Book Night 2013

Picks of the week:

Of interest:

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(1:15:29) Episode 286 – Next week Gail Potratz, one of our semi-regular classroom technology correspondents, joins the conversation with Martin and Sallie to take a look at the waning school year from an ed tech perspective – what worked and what didn’t in the 2012-13 classroom. (Release date – 04/30/13)

The featured artist:

(1:16:16) This week we close the podcast with the music of Kevin Loersch – Love Beyond All Telling

Get involved:

284 – Building A Specialized Digital Ministry

On this edition of WELSTech, we discuss ideas and examples of digital outreach web sites, podcasts, video channels and e-news including the Bread For Beggars site started in the WELS South Atlantic District. It may be our longest episode ever, but you’ll want to hang on for all the picks, WELS.net features and community feedback goodness we’ve packed into this show!

The discussion:

Niche Evangelism – Going beyond traditional church web sites, many people are using creative digital content to reach out with the good news of Jesus Christ. Martin and Sallie take a whirl-wind tour of specialized digital ministry efforts across the web and discuss tools and channels you can use for your own outreach as part of congregation efforts or on a personal level.

The interview:

(25:06) The Bread of Life – Pastor Mark Parsons from Christ the King in Port Charlotte, FL and Matt Visaggio talk with Martin and Sallie about the web site Bread for Beggars, an outreach focused site started in WELS South Atlantic District.

Picks of the week:

WELS.net feature:

(53:53) Check out WELS’ brand new Spanish outreach site, El Mensajero Luterano

Of interest:

(56:25) Register online to attend the first WELSTech Camp, a free un-conference coming up September 14 at Martin Luther College. Check out the link for all the details including a Friday night meet-up and deals on hotels in the area.

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(1:14:38) Episode 285 – Next week Martin and Sallie will explore ideas to introduce technology in your congregation and talk with Pastor Steve Schamber and Jason Petoskey about the use of Logos Proclaim for worship projection at Holy Trinity in Wyoming, MI. (Release date – 04/23/13)

The featured artist:

(1:15:39) We close today’s WELSTech with the music of Joey Schumann and the Lutheran Ceili Orchestra (JoeySchumann.com | Joey on Facebook) – Christ Be Beside Me

Get involved:

283 – Garr Connects With His Audience!

Today on the WELSTech Podcast we continue our Presentation Zen book discussion with a dive into the chapter 9 topic, audience engagement. We also take a look at a brand new ministry resource as Martin demos the Who Is Jesus? iBook, and we catch up on lots of great listener feedback.

The discussion:

Dull presentations forbidden – Leading off with an e-mail message from Presentation Zen author, Garr Reynolds (garrreynolds.com | @presentationzen), Martin and Sallie discuss chapter 9 of the book which focuses on the important skill of connecting with your audience during a presentation. Listen for the secret weapons they use to engage their audience.

Ministry resource:

(15:22) Who is Jesus? iBook

Picks of the week:

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(42:27) Episode 284 – Pastor Mark Parsons and Matt Visaggio share their work on BreadForBeggars.com, and we consider other specialty ministry sites. (Release date – 04/16/13)

The featured artist:

(44:19) We close with the music of WELS musician and staff minister Benhur Khamrang (Reverbnation) – Brothers, Sisters, Let Us Gladly

Get involved:

282 – Going Beyond Cat Videos

Today’s WELSTech Podcast covers ways to use your mobile photo or tablet photography in ministry. We also talk with designer Corissa Nelson about ways she lets her light shine through her online business, image donations to WELS and design work for her local congregation.

The discussion:

The best camera … – Martin and Sallie talk about the meteoric rise in prevalence of “pocketography” – using cameras on smartphones and tablets to easily capture and share images – and ways which these cameras can aid the work of churches, schools and individuals.

The interview:

(19:50) Letting Her Light Shine Through Art – Corissa Nelson, member of Our Savior in Grafton, WI, talks with Martin and Sallie about her design business and the ways she uses her gifts to God’s glory in her church, the synod and beyond.

News in tech:

(33:40) Grace Lutheran principal Peter Iles garners Google’s attention

Picks of the week:

Of interest:

(40:57) WELSTech Camp will run from 8:30 AM until 4:00 PM and plans are for 4 one-hour discussion time slots plus lunch, snacks and giveaways. Join the conversation on September 14 at Martin Luther College!

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(45:02) Episode 283 – Connecting with an audience is important to any public speaker and the topic of next week’s podcast discussion as we continue reviewing Presentation Zen by Garr Reynolds. (Release date – 04/09/13)

The featured artist:

(45:50) We close the podcast with the music of The Branches Band (www.branchesband.com|Facebook) – This Is The Day The Lord Has Made

Get involved: