554 – Setting the Table

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On this week’s WELSTech, Martin and Sallie begin their summer book discussion with a look at chapters 1 & 2. Martin starts bullet journaling, and Sallie is all about the next exit. Plus, we have community feedback and the hymn of the day!

The discussion:

Goals and plans – Starting at the beginning with a list of goals and steps to achieve them is just what Martin and Sallie do as they discuss chapters 1 & 2 of Eat That Frog! by Brian Tracy.

Picks of the week:

Community feedback:

Featured videos:

Enjoy the hymn of the day for this coming Sunday, June 24 – By Grace I’m Saved – performed by Koine and featured on the WELSTech Music playlist.

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 555 – Martin and Sallie talk about chapters 3 & 4 of Eat That Frog! – Apply the 80/20 Rule to Everything & Consider the Consequences. Release date: Wednesday, June 27.

Get involved:

553 – Eat That Frog!

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This week on WELSTech, Martin and Sallie are side-by-side at WELS Center for Mission Ministry for the kickoff of the summer book series. Martin’s picks have health and safety in mind, and the discussion also includes both ebook and audio media tools.

The discussion:

We hope you’re hungry – The WELSTech Summer 2018 series will focus on  the 3rd Edition of Brian Tracy’s book, Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done With Less, and the related Workbook.

Picks of the week:

Ministry resources:

How to get more out of Kindle for iPhone and iPad

Community feedback:

  • Pastor Peter Hagen suggests a podcast promo page on the WELSTech Wiki
  • Check out the new WELS app

Featured videos:

Meet the Author of Eat That Frog!, Brian Tracy, in this short video, Q&A: How Can I Overcome Procrastination?

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 554 – Martin and Sallie talk about chapters 1 & 2 of Eat That Frog! – Set the Table & Plan Every Day in Advance. Warning: There may be pen and paper involved! Release date: Wednesday, June 20.

Get involved:

552 – Gird Up Your Podcast

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The Gird Up! podcast is featured on this week’s WELSTech as Martin and Sallie are joined by Charlie Ungemach to discuss why a podcast just might be a viable ministry tool for you. Sallie also shows off her new “mobile” podcast studio!

The interview & discussion:

Ministry Podcasts – Martin and Sallie chat with teacher Charlie Ungemach about the ideas and efforts behind the Gird Up! podcast (Pippa | Facebook). Started in November 2017, the podcast byline is “Exploring what it means to be a man of God.” With over 50 podcasts released, Charlie shares tips and tricks for getting started and maintaining your own ministry podcast.

News in tech:

WELS now:

Picks of the week:

Ministry resources:

Search WELS Online Yearbook to locate churches when you travel. And you’ll especially enjoy this Google Map of all WELS Organizations.

Community feedback:

A virtual baptism?

Featured videos:

5 Ways To Stay Safe on Public WiFi

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 553 – As WELSTech shifts gears for Summer, Martin and Sallie kick off a new book discussion series full of frogs! Release date: Thursday, June 14.

Get involved:

551 – End-Of-School-Year Options

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The end of the school year doesn’t have to be just something to “survive.” Jason Schmidt joins WELSTech this week to share some projects that turn passive moving watching students into creators. He also brings another robot pick to compliment Sallie’s tip to combat gadget filth.

The discussion:

End of school activities – Jason Schmidt, Technology Director for the Omaha-area Bennington Public Schools, shares ideas from a recent presentation of his on engaging students in activities to usher out the school year. Additional end-or-year ideas and a downloadable Resource Pack are available from John Spencer.

News in tech:

The FBI wants you to reboot your router

WELS now:

Time is running out to submit your ideas for presentations at WELS Education, Technology, and Leadership Summit 2019 – May 31, 2018 deadline

Picks of the week:

Ministry resources:

Video Conferencing Tools for Bible Study

Community feedback:

Featured video:

Jason’s micro:bit pick of the week is the subject of two cool videos – Product Showcase: SparkFun Inventor’s Kit for micro:bit

Introducing the BBC micro:bit – BBC Make It Digital

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 552 – Martin and Sallie talk with Charlie Ungemach from the Gird Up! podcast and share other ministry podcasts and blogs. Release date: Friday, June 8.

Get involved:

550 – Seminary Student: Julius Buelow

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Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary senior Julius Buelow joins this episode of WELSTech to talk about his thesis on the benefits or distractions that technology brings to the table for a seminarian. Martin announces the launch of the new WELS App, and Sallie bids farewell to WELSTech Studio West.

The interview & discussion:

Deep thinking – As we prepare to celebrate Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary graduation later this week, Martin and Sallie conclude the senior seminarian interview series by talking with Julius Buelow about his thesis, Biblical Text Messages: The Effect of Bible Software on Seminary Students.

WELS now:

Picks of the week:

Ministry resources:

WELS App Launches

Community feedback:

Grants and Resources

Featured videos:

Enjoy the MCL Graduation recap video, He Called Some to Be.

Celebrate our Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary with this beautiful flyover footage.

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 551 – Jason Schmidt wraps up our edtech school year of shows with a look at creative end-of-year activities. Release date: Wednesday, May 30.

Get involved:

549 – Seminary Student: Jason Zuehlke

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Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary senior Jason Zuehlke joins WELSTech to talk about his thesis on reaching those who make up the Millennial Generation with the Gospel. We also get an update from Pastor Brock Groth on his UnderstandChristianity.com project and some exciting new content.

The interview & discussion:

Make new friends – Martin and Sallie continue a series of interviews of senior students at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. This week, Jason Zuehlke shares details of his research and senior thesis titled Evangelizing Millennials: Studying Millennials to Understand How Relationships through Friendship Evangelism are the Best Way to Bring the Gospel to Their Culture.

WELS now:

Picks of the week:

Ministry resources:

Chronology of Jesus’ Life and Ministry

Community feedback:

Join the Facebook WELS Intersections group for discussions of Mail Chimp verses Constant Contact and much more

Featured video:

Partners in AI – Microsoft Build: Cortana + Alexa Demo.

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 550 – Wrapping up the Seminary Senior series, Martin and Sallie talk with Julius Buelow about his research into the effects of Bible software usage on seminary students. Release date: Wednesday, May 23.

Get involved:

548 – Seminary Student: Bill Schubert

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Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary senior Bill Schubert joins the WELSTech conversation to share his thesis on reaching those who make up “iGen” or Generation Z. Sallie shares a cool Facebook framing tool, while Martin provides information about how a recent European Union regulation might affect your church or school.

The interview & discussion:

The newest generation – Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary senior Bill Schubert shares insights from his senior thesis, The Importance of Impacting iGen: Ministering to Generation Z through Websites and Social Media.

WELS now:

Picks of the week:

Ministry resources:

GDPR Guidance

Community feedback:

Featured video:

Following up on last week’s MLC Day, watch Thankathon Thank Yous.

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 549 – Continuing the Seminary Senior series, Martin and Sallie talk with Jason Zuehlke about his research on outreach to millennials. Release date: Wednesday, May 16.

Get involved:

547 – MLC Day!

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Celebrate MLC Day with WELSTech! Martin and Sallie talk with creatives from Martin Luther College who are using social channels and multi-media to spark this special day. Straighten up, enhance your productivity with the picks of the week, and use OneNote to design a digital Escape Room. Tune in for this plus news, feedback, and events!

The interview & discussion:

Martin Luther College Director of Public Relations Bill Pekrul and Videographer Jon Witte give Martin and Sallie behind-the-scenes details of the activities planned for MLC Day on May 2, 2018. There’s a new MLC YouTube channel plus a brand new jiggle written by the talented interviewees. Check out the online media kit for lots of ways you can celebrate MLC!

News in tech:

Google Redesigns Gmail – Here’s a List of Amazing New Features

WELS now:

Picks of the week:

Ministry resources:

Create a Digital Escape Room with OneNote [YouTube playlist]

Community feedback:

Featured video:

Enjoy the MLC Day Jingle.

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 548 – Seminary senior Bill Schubert shares insights from his senior theses into ministering to Generation Z. Release date: Wednesday, May 9.

Get involved:

546 – Awesome Apps: Education

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We wrap up “Awesome Apps” month on WELSTech with a look at the edtech space and insights from guest co-host Rachel Feld. Microsoft makes the news, we share a free eBook to help churches communicate on Instagram, and Martin reveals a great way to improve your Windows 10 knowledge for free.

The discussion:

Education apps- Our traditional end-of-month edtech focus brings Prof. Rachel Feld from Martin Luther College into the co-host chair as we explore favorite mobile apps for education.

News in tech:

OneNote Desktop 2016 no longer in active development

WELS now:

Picks of the week:

Ministry resources:

Check out the Everyone Can Create curriculum from Apple

Community feedback:

Microsoft Teams

Featured video:

Learn how to make anything talk with ChatterPix by Duck Duck Moose.

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 547 – Join us to celebrate #mlcday18 WELSTech-style. Release date: Wednesday, May 2.

Get involved:

545 – Awesome Apps: Communication

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The WELSTech April series called “Awesome Apps” continues as Martin and Sallie share some of their favorite smart device communication tools for texting, emailing, video conferencing and more. Sallie has to figure out how to say the name of her new car but in the process found a great car buying app, and Martin, tuning in from a conference in Salt Lake City, found the benefits of handwriting notes…digitally.

The interview:

Care giving tech – Dan Stelljes is the Product Development Lead for First Layer Health, a software development company owned by WELS members which focuses on making social and healthcare communication easier for older people. He shares details of their newest product, TheirCare, which delivers video calls, messages, and more to certain internet-connected televisions. One of the uses of the tool is for church shut-in ministry. Contact Dan if you’d like to pilot a program in your congregation.

The discussion:

Communication apps – Reaching out to touch someone via a plain old phone call, is so yesterday. Martin and Sallie discuss their favorite smartphone apps for many forms of communication.

News in tech:

Google shutters it’s goo.gl URL shortening service

Picks of the week:

Ministry resources:

Check out Faithlife’s new Ministry Team magazine

Community feedback:

The Ultimate Guide for Using Trello at Home

Featured video:

What made us laugh in Star Trek IV (circa 1986) is turning into our reality in 2018 – voice controlled devices. Enjoy this throwback to Mr.Scott (a.k.a. The Miracle Worker) communicating with a computer.

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 546 – Prof. Rachel Feld co-hosts, and the discussion centers around awesome apps for the classroom. Release date: Wednesday, April 25.

Get involved: