334 – MinecraftEDU

On this week’s episode, Sallie and Jason Schmidt hold down the WELSTech fort with a lively discussion of Minecraft gaming in the education setting. From self portraits to roller coasters to models of famous locations, the platform all but guarantees student engagement and collaboration.

The discussion:

Minecraft SelfieCreative Building – Jason Schmidt, Tech Coordinator for Bennington ISD and WELSTech’s semi-regular classroom technology correspondent, educates Sallie on the educational side of the popular video game Minecraft.

Tech tips:

Picks of the week:

Of interest:

Registration is officially open for summer FinalWeb training with Martin and Sallie at the Center for Mission and Ministry. Learn more and sign up at bit.ly/fwtraininginfo.

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 335 – No fooling … Next week we’ll be talking about the recent Christ In Media Institute Mobile Phone Conference. (Broadcast date – 04/01/14)

Get involved:

333 – Lights, Camera, Live Stream

Today on WELSTech Martin and Sallie, along with special guest, Steve Zambo, share the tech side of live video streaming and some helpful tips (enhanced with visual aids) to take your video production to the next level. Find out about the electronic version of NPH’s Meditations, and be amazed as Sallie shares not 2 but 7 tips and picks! Jackpot!

The discussion:

Go Live – Martin and Sallie share the technical side of live video streaming with a behind the scenes look at YouTube’s streaming video service, and an overview of FinalWeb and LiveStream options plus information on encoders, bandwidth, and more.

The interview:

Steve ZamboTips from a pro – Steve Zambo, President of Salty Earth Pictures and Instructor of Digital Cinema & Media at Wisconsin Lutheran College, shares tips to improve video quality including framing the shot, lighting, audio and more.

Ministry resources:

Meditations from Northwestern Publishing House is now available for iOS and in Kindle and Nook eBook format.

Tech tips:

Picks of the week:

Of interest:

Registration is officially open for summer FinalWeb training with Martin and Sallie at the Center for Mission and Ministry. Learn more and sign up at bit.ly/fwtraininginfo.

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 334 – Jason Schmidt from Omaha, NE joins Sallie for a MineCraft EDU discussion. (Broadcast date – 3/25/14)

Music download:

This week enjoy a free music download from WELS musician Pat Watson (www.reverbnation.com/#!/patwatsonproject) – Borrowed Time

Get involved:

332 – The Shallow End

What is WELSTech without a lively book discussion? Even though Martin is traveling, he manages to join Sallie for the conclusion of the sometimes contentious book discussion of The Shallows. He brings along a tip and pick as well, and Sallie shares some interesting community feedback. Listen up!

The discussion:

The ShallowsBook wrap up – Apps for speed reading, such at Spritz, promise to lower reading time while increasing comprehension. But are these digital enhancements taxing our overloaded brains even more?  Martin and Sallie conclude their discussion of the current WELSTech book selection, The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing To Our Brains by Nicholas Carr. In chapters 9 and 10, the author drives home his point that the electronic smorgasbord of the Internet does have an effect on our brains ability to store information in long-term memory. We need “down time” to allow our brains to process and store memories.

Tech tips:

  • The Power of the Windows Search Key
  • Share (don’t e-mail) files

Picks of the week:

Of interest:

Registration is officially open for summer FinalWeb training with Martin and Sallie at the Center for Mission and Ministry, July 29 – August 1. Learn more and sign up at bit.ly/fwtraininginfo.

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 333 – Video is the focus of the next WELSTech episode. Specifically Martin and Sallie will discuss considerations and mechanics of live streaming worship and WLC Prof. Steve Zambo will share techniques for enhancing video production. (Broadcast date – 03/18/14)

Music download:

This week only, download a free music single from Cross To Glory (www.facebook.com/crosstoglory) – My Grace Will Do

Get involved:

331 – Building A Mobile App

The world is going mobile and Martin shares “how-to” ideas for becoming a mobile app developer. Sallie may be enjoying warmer climates this week, but she gets her 2 cents in the tips, picks and feedback conversation. As a matter of fact, Sallie’s pick of the week may be so anti-tech that it jeopardizes her co-hosting seat!

The discussion:

DIY Mobile – Martin is just back from the BrainStorm K20 Technology Conference and shares tips and tools from his “Build A Mobile Web App in 2 Hours” presentation.

Tech tips:

  • 3-2-1 Backup Strategy
  • When in doubt … read the Help

Picks of the week:

WELS.net feature:

Subscribe for e-mail delivery of WELS’ latest devotions, news and more – wels.net/subscribe

Of interest:

Registration is officially open for summer FinalWeb training with Martin and Sallie at the Center for Mission and Ministry, July 29 – August 1. Learn more and sign up at bit.ly/fwtraininginfo.

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 332 – Martin and Sallie wrap up the discussion of the current WELSTech book selection, The Shallows by Nicolas Carr. Tune in for chapters 9 & 10. (Broadcast date – 03/11/14)

Music download:

This week only, download a free music single from a Japanese WELS artist, Kaori Egawa – Call Out To Jesus

Get involved: