538 – Training Techies: School Websites

The last WELSTech episode in February finishes off a month-long focus on training. Today we are joined by MLC Professor Rachel Feld to discuss school websites and how to approach training faculty members who are already stretched too thin. An interesting challenge, but there are tools and techniques to help. Rachel talks about a $99 pencil, Sallie brings some plugin goodness, and Martin finds his “waze.”

The discussion:

Websites for classrooms – Martin Luther College Professor Rachel Feld joins the conversation with tips for training teachers to manage classroom web sites. It’s not always about tech savvy teachers switching to the latest shiny technology. Instead, adopting tools school wide and committing to long-term usage, ongoing training, and support may be the wiser strategy.

WELS now:

Picks of the week:

Ministry resources:

InsertLearning.com

Community feedback:

Joe Dexter from Emanuel in New London, WI shared information on the pending demise of 600 MHz wireless microphones.

Featured video:

Appropriate for the season, check out Koine’s Lenten Hymns and Music playlist including this week’s featured video, O Dearest Jesus.

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 539 – Tune in as WELSTech goes back to the basics, exploring the nuances of the tech tools we rely on daily to get our jobs done. Release date: Wednesday, March 7.

Get involved:

537 – Training Techies: Social Media Ambassadors

February, designated as “training techies” month on WELSTech, continues as Martin and Sallie discuss training social media ambassadors. See how those folks can provide great channels for the message of the gospel to reach people your church can’t. We also received some excellent first-hand feedback on the Livestream MEVO camera.

The discussion:

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Social training – Martin and Sallie discuss ideas for coaching members of your church to expand the reach of church social media communication by liking, sharing, and commenting on posts.

News in tech:

Samsung unveils world’s largest SSD with whopping 30TB of storage

WELS now:

Register for the Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society (LWMS) 2018 Convention happening June 21-24 in Green Bay, WI. Early bird registration savings ends April 1.

Picks of the week:

Ministry resources:

Learn more about Summer continuing education classes offered at Martin Luther College and get registered!

Community feedback:

Featured video:

Tune in to the latest Together Video Update to learn about WELS Home Missions from Pastor Jared Oldenburg and Nicole Balza.

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 538 – MLC Professor Rachel Feld joins the conversation about training techies to manage your church and school website. Release date: Wednesday, February 28.

Get involved:

536 – Training Techies: Church Management Software

February, designated as “training techies” month on WELSTech, continues as Martin and Sallie are joined by Peter Frank of Concordia Technology Solutions to discuss church management software. Their picks of the week have a Google theme including timers and calendars, and there’s some great community feedback.

The discussion:

Working with the church database – An important function of the church (and school) office is maintaining information on members and prospects. This is typically done using a database with a special name … Church Management Software (CMS). Most CSM solutions allow for multiple users to enter data, which is both a blessing and a responsibility for those who oversee the CSM. Martin and Sallie share tips for maximizing the effectiveness of the volunteer’s work in the CMS.

The interview:

Peter Frank from Concordia Technology Solutions shares insights on working with volunteers and Church Management Software. Peter heads the team behind two popular CMS tools – Shepherd’s Staff and Church360º Members & Ledger.

News in tech:

WELS now:

Upcoming Men of His Word Conferences

Picks of the week:

Ministry resources:

Concordia Technology Solutions Resource Center

Community feedback:

Featured video:

New this week from the Concordia Technology Solutions YouTube channel is The Value of Tracking Church Attendance (and How to Do It!).

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 537 – Tune in for tips on equipping members to be church social media ambassadors. Release date: Wednesday, February 21.

Get involved:

535 – Training Techies: Worship Projection

February is “training” month on WELSTech as Martin and Sallie dedicate each show to discussing ways to train your volunteers for those important tech tasks like worship projection. Kristen Tetteh also joins the show to talk about Faithlife’s Proclaim software. She brought with her a special discount code!

The discussion:

Worship projection – Volunteers are key players when it comes to the work to be done in churches and schools. This week we look at one important “techie” role volunteers play in worship – controlling the worship projection. Martin and Sallie share tips for equipping volunteers to carry out their duties with confidence and without errors.

The interview:

Meeting the unique need – Kristen Tetteh joins Martin and Sallie to share an overview of Faithlife Proclaim Church Presentation Software, including the history of how the software was born to meet the needs of congregations. She gives us a behind the screens look at the software screens and the vast Pro Media library included with Proclaim.

Kristen also shares a special offer for WELSTech listeners. Visit proclaimonline.com/welstech for a three-month free trial of Proclaim with the promo code WELSTECH.

News in tech:

WELS now:

The current Interactive Faith online Bible Study, Isaiah: God confronts and comforts his people, with Pastor Daniel Habben from St. John’s, Antigua wraps up this week, but you can still enjoy the video archive and downloadable study guides.

Picks of the week:

Ministry resources:

Worship projection media

Community feedback:

  • Shelley Karstens is using Google Hangouts to connect her students with other classrooms, and she’d like to connect with yours! Details on the WELSTech Google Group.

Featured video:

Learn more about Faithlife Proclaim from the large selection of videos on their YouTube channel including this week’s addition to the WELSTech instructional video playlist, How to Use Proclaim Church Presentation Software.

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 536 – Training techies on church and school management software. Release date: Wednesday, February 14.

Get involved: