This week on WELSTech, we resume the book discussion of A World Without Email by Cal Newport with chapters 4 & 5, all about knowledge work processes. Martin shares his first blog post in a “Getting Into Vlogging” series, and Sallie has news about free Bible verse motion video content for church screens.
Manage the Workflow – Martin and Sallie share thoughts on chapters 4 & 5 of A World Without Email by Cal Newport, which begins to explore improved options for knowledge workers to offset the hyperactive hive mind.
https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Ford_assembly_line_-_1913SQ.jpg874874Sallie Draperhttps://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/000welsTechLogoEnfoldnew.pngSallie Draper2021-09-01 14:10:442021-09-21 12:37:12661 – Adding Value to Information
Vlogging is the act of creating and adding content to a “vlog” or “video blog” (think YouTube). Vlogging a term often used by content creators on YouTube, or “YouTubers” when talking about their craft. The advent of good quality video cameras on phones, like the iPhone, has launched a generation of videographers eager to use the internet to get their message out there. At last count nearly 500 hours of video are uploaded to YouTube EVERY MINUTE!
Just for fun, here are few more fun facts about YouTube:
There are 2.3 billion YouTube users world-wide
79% of all internet users say they have a YouTube account
YouTube viewers watch over 1 billion hours of video each day
62% of US-based businesses use YouTube to post video content
70% of YouTube views come on mobile devices
90% of people say they discovered new products or brands on YouTube
It is a compelling platform that millions use either to consume video or the subject of this blog post — to create it.
Today it’s becoming very common to find those in ministry (pastors, teachers, staff ministers, lay leaders) using vlogs to deliver their content, whether that be a devotion, lesson or other ministry-related content. Pastors might want to “vlog” shorter devotions, mini Bible studies, congregational reports, sermon “extras”, topical counseling tips, flipped catechism lessons, and, well you get the idea. Teachers have just as many vlogging opportunities. The obvious application are flipped classroom lessons, but others include parent updates, educational or how-to videos for colleagues, individual instruction for virtual students or those with specific needs, and even recordings for assessments and personal growth.
There are many use cases for getting into vlogging. Just think of all the written content you produce and ask, “Would creating a video enhance this content in some way, or increase its likelihood of being “seen?” When it comes to communications, those are the two big questions: how to amplify it and how to increase its useful viewership.
For those of you who have decided to get started, you probably are starting with using your smart phone to capture audio and video, and then uploading to YouTube or your ministries web site. You try to find a pleasing background and a space without too much competing light or especially noise. Great. But this series of blog posts, and subsequent vlogs will outline how to up that game a little bit with techniques and equipment. Why? Mostly because we now are publishing content in a world full of high production quality video. We don’t want, nor could we match, them, but it is important to recognize the gap between what people watch on YouTube, and our stuff. So things we can reasonably do to improve quality will be worth it — balancing cost, complexity and results of course.
Today I’ll start by sharing just a baseline camera setup for vlogging created by Brian Urbanek of GoldWing Productions LLC. This recommendation was created for WELS Special Ministries “Gospel Hands” — a video signing project for the deaf and hard of hearing. Here is part of the recommendation’s introduction:
Because the intent is for the equipment to be operated by volunteers, the highest consideration went into the ease of use for each piece of equipment, while still being able to achieve a certain level of quality. Ideally, all of the gear should be operable by a single person, should they need to carry this work out alone.
Camera Kit
Goal
To have a camera that can shoot 4K and have as professional of a look as possible, for the lowest cost possible. These cameras are all very popular among vloggers and YouTube content creators, as they have been created specifically for that demographic. They all feature a pop-out screen to be able to see yourself before and during filming.
This kit comes with an included 64 GB SD card, extra battery, and battery charger
PRO: Digital bokeh (more of a mirrorless camera look)
PRO: 4K up to 30fps
PRO: f/1.8 lens
PRO: great out of focus background
Other options: Canon G7X II or III, Canon M50, Sony a6400
Note: If purchasing after August 31, 2021 you may want to consider the newer model (Sony ZV-E10)
Final camera recommendation
The Sony ZV-1 camera is a favorite among YouTube content creators. It shoots at 4K video and has great autofocus capabilities, allowing the subject to always be in focus. It’s capable of creating a slightly blurry background, mimicking a slightly more cinematic look compared to the other two Canons on the list.
– above recommendation by Brian Urbanek
If you are interested in this camera I recorded a brief review of it myself below using the actual unit.
As you can see it records clear and color accurate video. There is no distortion, and it truly is a dream to operate.
Next time we’ll address lighting and backdrop recommendations.
https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/51234988671_ac23946f11_c.jpg600600Martin Spriggshttps://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/000welsTechLogoEnfoldnew.pngMartin Spriggs2021-08-27 10:46:342021-09-21 12:37:13Getting Into Vlogging – Part 1
The WELSTech book discussion of A World Without Email by Cal Newport continues this week with chapters 2 & 3. Martin is excited about a new bookmark manager that ends a multi-year search for a suitable tool. And Sallie is off in space maintaining the stations.
A Mind of Its Own – Martin and Sallie dive into chapters 2 & 3 of A World Without Email by Cal Newport, which look at the genesis of email and similar technologies and how tech can take on its own, unexpected usage and consequences.
https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/pexels-ion-ceban-ionelceban-3194327sq800.jpg800800Sallie Draperhttps://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/000welsTechLogoEnfoldnew.pngSallie Draper2021-08-17 14:46:542021-09-21 12:37:13660 – Is Email Making Us Miserable?
After a bit of a hiatus, WELSTech is back, and we’re kicking off a book discussion of A World Without Email by Cal Newport. Google goodness, more reading, and tech-in-ministry practical solutions for network management and video editing round out the rest of the show.
Martin and Sallie start a new book discussion of A World Without Email by Cal Newport. Pastor Peter Hagen shared the book idea after listening to an author interview on episode 403 of the Carey Nieuwhof podcast. Today we cover the Introduction and Chapter 1, and we learn about the “Hyperactive Hive Mind.”
https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/WTbookWorldWIthoutEmail.jpg720720Sallie Draperhttps://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/000welsTechLogoEnfoldnew.pngSallie Draper2021-08-04 09:39:492021-09-21 12:37:14659 – Are You Checking Your Email Again?
On WELSTech this week we wrap up the summer “techy-Sem-theses” interview series with recent Sem graduate, Pastor Dan Schmidt, on today’s gospel ministry in a time of dramatically changing media. App and YouTube picks plus a full calendar of WELS events round out this episode.
Martin and Sallie talk with Pastor Dan Schmidt, a recent Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary (WLS) graduate assigned to Luther Preparatory School in Watertown, WI, about his senior thesis titled Changing Media and the Changeless Message: Sharing the Gospel Through New Media. You may read the essay in the WLS Digital Library (PDF).
Our summer WELSTech interview series continues. This week we talk with recent Sem graduate, Pastor Caleb Schaewe, about the blessings and opportunities around a Christian’s use of social media and the pastor’s role in nurturing it.
A recent graduate of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary (WLS), Pastor Caleb Schaewe was assigned to serve Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church in Linden, MI. In this interview, Martin and Sallie discuss his WLS senior thesis titled Shepherding Digital Sheep: Pastoral Responsibility Regarding Members’ Use of Social Media. You may read the essay in the WLS Digital Library (PDF).
On this episode of WELSTech we kick off a series of interviews with recent graduates of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary on their tech-in-ministry related senior theses topics. First up, we look at the role virtual reality might play in future ministry efforts.
Pastor Dominick Olson recently graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary (WLS) and was assigned to Resurrection Lutheran Church in Rochester, MN. His senior thesis at WLS was titled Putting the Reality in Virtual Reality: A Look at the Viability of Virtual Reality for Applications in Ministry. You may read the essay in the WLS Digital Library (PDF). Martin and Sallie talk with him about the topic.
On this episode of WELSTech, we close out the school year with guest hosts Rachel and Jason by reflecting on lessons learned. The picks of the week cover everything from scheduling to audio books to texting tools, with a little gaming bonus as well. Rachel shares Bible lesson A/V resources she’s compiled and details about MLC’s free summer conference!
Goodbye to school year 2020-21 – Martin and Sallie are joined once again by Prof. Rachel Feld from Martin Luther College and Jason Schmidt from the Oconto Falls School District, and we reflect on lessons learned during this school year and the importance of summer rest for our superhero teachers.
On this episode of WELSTech we feature the second half of our iDols interview with Pastor Christopher Ewings. There’s also discussion of a hardware solution for fast internet, great deals on the Microsoft suite of tools, using Facebook Groups for private church connections, stock imagery, and newsletters. And our synod schools are sharing graduation and assignment events happening in the coming week!
Know the end game – This week we share part 2 of Martin and Sallie’s discussion with Pastor Christopher Ewings from Faith Lutheran Church in Anchorage, AK on his recent iDols: Putting technology in its proper place Bible study. Listen to part 1 of the interview on episode 653.
This week WELSTech welcomes Pastor Christopher Ewings and a discussion of the Christian’s relationship and use of today’s technology. Martin and Sallie go retro with picks and resources that have stood the test of time. And Sallie says good bye … to Wisconsin.
The ultimate technology guru – Pastor Christopher Ewings from Faith Lutheran Church in Anchorage, AK shares details with Martin and Sallie about his recent iDols: Putting technology in its proper place Bible study.
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