438 – Robotics in Education

This week on WELSTech Martin is away, but the show must go on! Sallie and guest host Jason Schmidt discuss robotics in education. The show also includes news of Latin American mission tech-enhanced outreach, a review of the best smartphone, and audio books for your listening pleasure.

The discussion:

First TeamStorming the castle – Sallie is joined by guest host Jason Schmidt, Tech Coordinator in the Bennington Public School District in the Omaha, NE area and the edtech discussion centers on a popular STEM topic, robotics. Jason recently returned from the Iowa Regional FIRST Robotics Competition (Team 5906), one of many regional high school robotics competitions sponsored by FIRST.

News in tech:

Samsung Galaxy S7 named top smartphone by Consumer Reports

WELS now:

Gospel Outreach With Media online conference

Picks of the week:

Ministry resources:

Watch the March 2016 Update from WELSTech friend, Missionary Mike Hartman, regarding online outreach efforts via Academia Cristo.

Featured video:

Learn more about FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) in this new WELSTech Promo playlist video.

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 439 – Always in need of tweaking, tune in for tips to sharpen your personal productivity skills. Release date: Wednesday, April 6

Get involved:

437 – Lots of Things to Bookmark!

This week on WELSTech the community of viewers share links and ideas including open source resources for educators, using Google Keep for notetaking, several free conferences and webinars, and a great deal on Microsoft Office 2016 for school faculty and staff. Martin shares a method for granting emergency access to your LastPass account, plus the listener-contributed ministry resource may prove helpful for those developing materials for Bible and religion classes.

The discussion:

crownOfThorns145x125The community speaks – Martin and Sallie share all of the latest news and discussion from the various WELSTech channels.

WELS now:

Take the WELSTech Photo Challenge for March

Picks of the week:

Ministry resources:

A Helpful List of Short Apologetic Videos

Featured video:

Consider using this video as a discussion starter – Did Jesus Rise from the Dead? – new on the WELSTech Presentation & Teaching playlist on YouTube.

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 438 – Martin is away, but Jason Schmidt is a sunny stand-in as we discuss robotics and virtual reality in the classroom. Release date: Thursday, March 31

Get involved:

436 – With All Your Heart: Ch 7

On this week’s WELSTech we return to our project management book discussion and share ideas for communicating project news to your church, school or organization. Listen also for Lenten resources for elementary classrooms, a Chrome browser cleanup utility and an interesting look at the upcoming Gospel Outreach With Media online conference.

The discussion and interview:

bookChp7StainedGlass145x125Communication – Chapter 7 of the WELSTech DIY project management book project, With All Your Heart, takes a look at expanding project communication beyond your project group to engage your congregation, school or organization actively every step of the way.

Professor Tom Kuster, director of Bethany Lutheran College’s Christ in Media Institute, talks with Martin and Sallie about the communication involved in organizing, promoting and carrying out an online conference. Listen for more details regarding the upcoming Gospel Outreach With Media conference, scheduled for March 28 – April 17. Scan the conference agenda, and make plans to “attend” this free online conference!

WELS now:

Visit ShopWELS and subscribe to the ShopWELS Insider for electronic news on great deals for WELS organizations and members

Picks of the week:

Ministry resources:

Rachel Feld blogs on the topic of Teaching Little Ones About Lent at Bread for Beggars

Featured video:

In this last week of Lent we feature Jesus, Grant that Balm and Healing by Koine. Find it on YouTube in WELSTech’s Music playlist as well as Koine’s Lenten Hymns and Music playlist and their Footsteps to the Cross Illuminated playlist.

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 437 – Community feedback is center stage on next week’s podcast. Share! Share!! Share!!! Release date: Wednesday, March 23

Get involved:

435 – Digital Devotions

On this week’s WELSTech we spotlight digital tools to enhance our daily walk with the Lord, and we talk with the creator of a free Lutheran memory work system. Plus, listeners learn how to join the new WELSTech Google Group for e-mail-based discussion of all things tech-in-ministry!

The discussion:

Daily! Deep! Devoted! – Martin shares a Digital Devotions Bible study he wrote, and it guides the discussion of ways to grow your faith digitally.

The interview:

On My HeartOn My Heart – Amanda Moldstad talks with Martin and Sallie about the Lutheran memory work program she and others developed and share at on-my-heart.com.

News in tech:

First live ransomware targeting Macs

WELS now:

Picks of the week:

Featured video:

New on the WELSTech Product Demos Playlist is this short introduction to Making Music Online from the Soundtrap Youtube channel.

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 436 – Communication plays a key role in project management done With All Your Heart, and Martin and Sallie discuss just that in the latest chapter of the WELSTech book project. Professor Tom Kuster joins the conversation with news of an upcoming online conference. Release date: Wednesday, March 16

Get involved:

434 – Kid Creators

It’s education technology week again on WELSTech as Gail Potratz shares her insights into the transformation of learning through the use of technology. Listen for a thoughtful discussion which educators and administrators can use as a springboard to examining the state of transformative learning in their own schools. Where do you stand on the SAMR path?

The discussion:

Kid CreatorConsumers to creators – Gail Potratz, Technology Coordinator at Emanuel in New London, WI, joins Martin and Sallie for a WELS-style discussion of the New Media Consortium’s K-12 Horizon Report. As we observe dropping prices allowing for increased tech adoption in WELS schools, the new challenge becomes having administrative vision plus necessary time investment by all teachers (not just the tech coordinator) to redefine learning.

News in tech:

WELS now:

Check out the Educational Technology Certificate program at Martin Luther College

Picks of the week:

Ministry resources:

Check out the Jelly Telly channel on YouTube – Sample 1 Samuel video

Featured video:

With a special shout out to Bread for Beggars for the link, enjoy the music of Joey Schumann … “If God Himself Be For Me” is saved on the WELSTech “Like’s” list on Vimeo

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 435 – Amanda Moldstad from On-My-Heart.com, a downloadable Lutheran memory work system, joins Martin and Sallie as they discuss ways to grow your faith digitally. Release date: Wednesday, March 9

Get involved: