Episode 033 – Aug 20 2008

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This week on WELSTech Martin and Sallie discuss take-aways from a conference on church media and Martin talks with Matt Frazier about a new church communication tool.

The discussion:

  • Church Media 101 – Martin recently attended the ECHO: Church Media Conference in Dallas, TX and found a WELSTech listener’s dream suite of topics and tools for ministry in a digital age. Listen as he and Sallie discuss some of his impressions on the conference and a few of the ministry-centric applications he discovered.
    • Host audio and video sermons online – www.sermonplayer.com
    • Church Copyright Administration – www.churchca.com
    • Automated telephone message – www.phonevite.com
    • Read Martin’s blog posts from the conference – www.wels.net/imprint/technology

The interview:

  • Matt FrazierChurch Communications Web 3.0 Style (19:30) – Joining Martin is Matt Frazier, CEO of Pursuant, to discuss web-based communications for congregations using a brand new Web 3.0 tool, Unifyer.

The tidbits:

  • Picks of the week (46:53)
  • WELS.net feature (53:22)
    • WELS Imprint blog – www.wels.net/imprint
  • Of interest (56:00)
    • WELS Event Calendar – www.wels.net/jump/calendar
      • Church Librarians Organization Fall Conference – September 13 – Star of Bethlehem in New Berlin, WI
      • Friends of Seminary Day – October 4 – Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary
      • Schedule of fall district pastor conferences
  • Community feedback (56:49)

The featured artist:

  • We close with music of WELS pianist, Dawn Gehlhar – Nearer My God To Thee from her Inspirations CD (59:54)

Get involved:

Episode 032 – Aug 13 2008

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This week WELSTech listeners will hear about several impressive Web 2.0 discoveries Sallie found at a recent conference.  Also Martin and Sallie talk with Pastor Bryan Gerlach from WELS Commission on Worship about the forthcoming Electronic Editions of the Christian Worship: Supplement.

The discussion:

The interview:

  • Pastor Bryan GerlachThe Electronic Editions of the Christian Worship: Supplement (23:19) – Today Martin and Sallie talk with WELS Administrator for Worship, Pastor Bryan Gerlach, about the electronic resources that are going to be available to support the Christian Worship: Supplement.
    • Purchase the Accompaniment and Electronic Edition of the Supplement from Northwestern Publishing House (available Fall 2008)
    • OneLicense.net
    • Worship resources for the Supplement
    • Worship the Lord newsletter – Issue #30 focuses on the Electronic Editions of the Supplement

The tidbits:

  • Picks of the week (35:41)
    • Online file conversion – YouConvertIt.com
    • PC application launcher with a Mac feel – RocketDock.com
  • WELS.net feature (41:48)
    • WELS Campus Ministry – www.wels.net/jump/campusministry
      • Directions devotions
      • Lightsource magazine
      • Word on Campus podcast
      • Sign up for free Meditations & Forward in Christ subscriptions
  • Of interest (44:06)
    • WELS Web Hosting with FinalWeb
      • Features and links for getting started – www.wels.net/jump/webhosting
      • Online user community – www.wels.net/jump/wnuwebhosting
  • Community feedback (46:39)

The featured artist:

  • We close with music of Wisconsin Lutheran College’s Revelation music ministry (www.revelationwlc.com) – Such Joy from their We Walk By Faith CD (53:10)

Get involved:

Episode 031 – Aug 6 2008

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This week Martin and Sallie share some pros and cons of using open source software and talk with Pastor Steve Daley about how he uses Linux and other open source software to carry out his pastoral duties.

The discussion:

  • What is Open Source? – WELSTech listeners have no doubt heard us share open source software suggestions in past podcast episodes.  Today Martin and Sallie define exactly what is “open source” and look at the pros and cons of using open source solutions.

The interview:

  • Pastor Stephen DaleyLinux in the church office (23:47) – Pastor Steve Daley from Petra in Sauk Rapids, MN has used the Linux operating system and a variety of Linux-based open source applications to carry out many of his pastoral responsibilities for the past four years.  Listen as Pastor Daley talks with Martin and Sallie about what prompted him to get started with Linux and how you too can make use of these tools to carry out your ministry.
  • Evolution e-mail
  • The Sword Project – Open source Bible software
  • Run Windows software on Linux
  • Virtualization
  • Distrowatch.com

The tidbits:

  • Picks of the week (46:14)
    • 37 Interesting Ways to use Your Interactive Whiteboard by Tom Barrett – link courtesy of José Picardo at boxoftricks.net
    • Password generator – www.supergenpass.com

The featured artist:

  • We close with music of WELS musician, Michael Schroeder (wctc.net/~mas) – The Beatitudes from his CD titled A Witness (55:00)

Get involved:

Episode 030 – Jul 30 2008

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Our semi-regular classroom technology correspondent, Gail Potratz, is back with Martin and Sallie to continue the discussion of Web 2.0 tools in the classroom.  This week we focus on wiki and blog tools for education enhancement.

The discussion:

  • Technology in EducationWikis and Blogs in the Classroom – Gail Potratz, Technology Coordinator at Emanual in New London, WI, joins Martin and Sallie to share her experience and ideas for bringing Web 2.0 tools into the classroom.  As we continue our discussion of this topic with Gail (previous installments during Episode 021 and Episode 025), we zero in on uses for wiki and blog tools, both for teachers and for students.

The tidbits:

  • Picks of the week (25:40)
    • Create an avatar – www.voki.com
      • Sample Voki avatars used for a Spanish assignment – Link 1 | Link 2
    • Wacky Wonderful Web sites (WWWs) – www.stjohnsse.com/wwws
    • Manage multiple computers with one keyboard and mouse using Synergy
  • WELS.net feature (37:29)
    • Monthly prayer calendar – www.wels.net/jump/prayer-calendar
      • August 2008 prayer calendar (PDF)
  • Of interest (39:30)
  • Community feedback (42:11)
    • David Scharrer of Hemlock, MI shared an idea for involving youth in loading MP3 players for shuts-ins to listen to Streams devotional podcasts
    • Cindy Krueger, member of Shepherd of the Hills in Lansing, MI, shared links to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) online training from  EASI (Equal Access to Software and Information) easi.cc and an ADA training listserve
    • Julie Duran, WELS.net webmaster, shared a link to a Lynx browser add-on that will allow users to view text versions of their links and check for accessibility

The featured artist:

  • We close with music of WELS musician, Mike Westendorf (www.mikewestendorf.com) – Look Out from his CD titled Climb the Mountain (46:20)

Get involved:

Episode 029 – Jul 23 2008

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This week Martin and Sallie focus on technology to assist those with special needs, including making your web site ADA compliant and an interview with Pastor Carl Ziemer from WELS Commission on Special Ministries.

The discussion:

The interview:

  • Pastor Carl ZiemerUsing Technology for Special Ministries (12:05) – Pastor Carl Ziemer, Administrator of WELS Commission on Special Ministries, joins Martin and Sallie to share some exciting advances in many areas of Special Ministries which are made possible by the use of technology.
    • Love in Action video series
    • Contact Special Ministries – 414-256-3240

The tidbits:

  • Picks of the week (40:44)
  • WELS.net feature (46:40)
    • Special Ministries – www.wels.net/jump/specialministry
  • Of interest (48:38)
    • Online registration now available for the 2008 WELS National Special Ministries Conference
      • October 3-5 – Sheraton-Milwaukee in Brookfield, WI
      • Check out the list of speakers and topics
  • Community feedback (49:30)
    • Pastor James Wilcox of Rapid City, SD suggested we produce a down-sampled, smaller file size version of the WELSTech Podcast for easy download for our dial-up listeners
    • David Scharrer of Hemlock, MI asked how pastors can submit audio sermons for Streams.  Visit www.wels.net/jump/onlineworship for an extensive list of audio and video worship opportunities and submit yours for inclusion if it isn’t listed already.
    • Commenting on Episode 028, Dan shared a link to an additional tool for Getting Things Done (GTD) – www.gtdagenda.com

The featured artist:

  • We close with music of WELS musicians, In His Service (www.adagioconcepts.com) – Lost In The Night from their CD titled In His Time (53:44)

Get involved:

Episode 028 – Jul 16 2008

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Following up on WELSTech Episode 027, Martin and Sallie discuss systems for implementing Getting Things Done(GTD) productivity principles and wrap up their interview with Prof. David Sellnow on the hybrid classroom.

The discussion:

  • ProductivityTime Management Systems – Martin and Sallie continue their discussion of the productivity principles outlined in David Allen’s Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity (listen to Part 1) and explore options for the “trusted system” or tool to store and organize your task list.
    • GTD systems
    • Additional GTD resources
      • Lifehacker.com blog
      • Precision Change podcast – Recent interviews with David Allen
        • Episode 8 – Getting Things Done 201, with David Allen
        • Episode 9 – David Allen Can Make Time Disappear
        • Episode 10 – David Allen Asks, What Are You Here To Do?

The interview:

  • The Hybrid Classroom (17:44) – Today Martin and Sallie conclude their interview with Prof. David Sellnow of Martin Luther College (listen to Part 1).  Prof. Sellnow shares ideas and cautions for getting started with blended courses and also looks into the future at where our synod may go with online education offerings.

The tidbits:

The featured artist:

  • We close with music of WELS artist, Kevin Loersch – O Sacred Head Now Wounded from his CD titled Abide With Me (39:50)

Get involved:

Episode 027 – Jul 9 2008

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This week Martin and Sallie discuss the Getting Things Done organization system for improving personal productivity.  They also interview Prof. David Sellnow about blending traditional and online education.

The discussion:

The interview:

  • Prof. David SellnowThe Hybrid Classroom (28:05) – In the first of a two-part interview, Prof. David Sellnow of Martin Luther College joins Martin and Sallie to share insight into the benefits of blending traditional classroom activities with online activities.  Prof. Sellnow has successfully blended his course offerings at MLC and suggests that similar blending could accentuate courses at the high school and even elementary school levels.

The tidbits:

  • Picks of the week (43:36)
  • WELS.net feature (53:23)
    • Explore the Bible – www.whataboutjesus-explorethebible.com
  • Of interest (55:03)
    • Leadership Conference video archive on Streams
  • Community feedback – Mass e-mail recommendations via the WELSTech listserve (56:27)
    • Michael Plocher from St. Paul’s in New Ulm recommends server-based PHP List – www.phplist.com
    • Cindy Krueger from Shepherd of the Hills in Lansing, MI maintains two Yahoo groups, one for members and one for prospects
    • Sue Fager uses Mail Loop on the job – www.marketingtips.com/mailloop
    • Jason Petoskey uses the FinalWeb group e-mail address feature
    • Joshua Schoeneck from Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School in Jackson, WI uses another server-based solution called LISTSERV (free & lite versions available)

The featured artist:

  • We close with music of WELS artist, WendySue Fluegge (www.wendysue.com) – Time from her CD titled Everyday Christian (1:00:45)

Get involved:

Episode 026 – Jul 2 2008

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At the one-half year of podcasting milestone, Martin and Sallie share solutions for mass e-mail and interview Lakeside LHS teacher Ted Klug about protecting and educating students on the blessings and dangers of social networking.

The discussion:

  • Mass E-mail – Martin and Sallie discuss considerations and resources for communicating electronically with congregation or school families using mass e-mail, thus reducing cost and manpower demands and increasing the efficiency and speed of communication.

The interview:

  • Ted KlugStudents and Social Networks (22:00) – Ted Klug, Technology Director at Lakeside Lutheran High School in Lake Mills, WI joins Martin and Sallie to discuss the blessings and dangers of social networks and to share ideas for educating and protecting our students.

The tidbits:

The featured artist:

  • We close with music of WELS praise band, Koine (www.koinemusic.com) – Jesus Priceless Treasure from their CD titled Koine II (55:13)

Get involved:

Episode 025 – Jun 25 2008

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This week guest host Gail Potratz joins Martin and Sallie to discuss project-based learning in the Web 2.0 world. The interview segment focuses on the student-management software tool, PowerSchool.

The discussion:

  • Web 2.0 in the Classroom – As we welcome back guest host Gail Potratz, Technology Coordinator and Teacher at Emanuel in New London, WI, we focus our discussion on technology and education.  We define Web 2.0 and talk about how the read/write web has changed technology usage in the classroom.  Gail also shares ideas for project-based learning using Web 2.0 tools.
    • Sample e-mail listserve focusing on veterans sharing their stories with students
    • WebQuest – www.questgarden.com
      • Sample WebQuest
        • Civil War
        • Cultures
      • Learn more about WebQuest and creator Bernie Dodge

Jeff Spiaser and Jim BrandtThe interview:

  • PowerSchool (25:55) – Martin and Sallie are joined by Jeff Spiaser, Dean of Academics for Illinois Lutheran Schools, and Jim Brandt, Administrator for WELS Parish Schools to discuss PowerSchool student information system. Listen to learn how school personnel and parents can benefit from web-based student data management.
    • Learn more about Power School –
      www.wels.net/jump/powerschool

The tidbits:

The featured artist:

  • This week we close with the music of Dawn Gehlhar – All Through the Night from her CD titled Inspirations (1:01:29)

Get involved:

Episode 024 – Jun 18 2008

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This week on WELSTech Martin and Sallie review several tools for web-based information collection. Then they shift gears and talk with Jeffrey Clark about creating and using computer-generated midi music for worship.

The discussion:

The interview:

The tidbits:

  • This week’s picks (35:21)
  • WELS.net feature (43:33)
    • Streams Podcasts – streams.wels.net/podcasts
  • Of interest (46:15)
    • Parents Crosslink chat – Death and children
      • Tuesday, June 24 @ 8 p.m. CDT
      • www.wels.net/jump/chat
  • Community feedback (47:01)
    • Do you have an effective solution for printing your church or school calendar? Join the discussion on the WELSTech listserve.

The featured artist:

  • This week we close with the music of Revelation (www.revelationwlc.com) – Via Dolorosa from their CD titled Once For All (48:20)

Get involved: