091 – BWTG: Online Forms

/in , ,

This special “how-to” episode of the WELSTech Podcast explores the steps for creating online forms to gather data.

The discussion:

Bonus WELSTech GoodnessOnline Forms – We wrap up our summer “Bonus WELSTech Goodness” (BWTG) series with a look at the steps for creating web-based forms.  Forms are useful for easily gathering and analyzing registration, sign-up and survey information in your church and school.

Get involved:

090 – Run MDMC

/in ,

This week on the WELSTech podcast we learn about the topics covered at the recent Milwaukee Digital Media Conference.

The discussion:

MDMC09 – Our semi-regular classroom technology correspondent, Gail Potratz from Emanuel in New London, WI, rejoins Martin and Sallie to share her experience from the recent Milwaukee Digial Media Conference (MDMC).  The educators who participated in the conference became students and used some of today’s newest technology to create multi-media projects to share with the world.

The interview:

Tammy Stephens(22:45) Gail spends a few minutes chatting with Tammy Stephens, Educational Technology Consultant and founder of The Stephens Group, about her work with the Milwaukee Digital Media Conference and as well as other initiatives in which she is involved.

New Technology Showcase:

Picks of the week:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(52:10) Listen for two new podcast next week

  • Episode 091 – On the next Bonus WELSTech Goodness (BWTG) episode we will share steps for creating online forms. (Release date 08/10/09)
  • Episode 092 – It’s all about our listeners as we take a time out and share all the great ideas and comments that have been rolling in. (Release date 08/12/09)

The featured artist:

(54:32) This week we close with the music of WELS artist Wendysue Fluegge (www.wendysue.com) – Time from her CD titled ”Everyday Christian”

Get involved:

089 – BWTG: e-News with MailChimp

/in , ,

This episode of the WELSTech covers steps for starting an electronic newsletter for your church or school.

The discussion:

Bonus WELSTech Goodnesse-News with MailChimp – Today’s “Bonus WELSTech Goodness” focuses on delivering professional quality, timely and affordable electronic newsletters.  Martin and Sallie share ministry applications and easy steps for getting started as well as info on back-end reporting capabilities which allow users to analyze the effectiveness of their e-news messages.

Get involved:

088 – Mapping For Ministry

/in ,

This week the WELSTech podcast equips you with tools for online collaborative mind mapping and ideas for ministry applications.

The discussion:

Mind MappingOnline Mind Mapping – A new batch of Web 2.0 online mind mapping tools prompted this updated podcast.  Martin and Sallie have talked mind mapping in the past, but today’s show expounds on the ministry applications of mind mapping, particularly in terms of collaboration with these new tools.

Picks of the week:

WELS.net feature:

Community feedback:

  • (26:27) John Shoosmith from Redeemer in Yakima, WA shared ministry tech ideas and questions

Coming up on WELSTech:

(31:08) The WELSTech double-feature next week includes

  • Episode 089 – Creating e-News with MailChimp is the topic of the next Bonus WELSTech Goodness (BWTG) episode. (Release date 08/03/09)
  • Episode 090 – Gail Potratz joins us with a recap from the Milwaukee Digital Media Conference (#mdmc09 on Twitter). (Release date 08/05/09)

The featured artist:

(32:32) This week we close with the music of WELS praise band, Koine (www.koinemusic.com) – From All That Dwells Below the Skies from their debut CD titled ”Koine”

Get involved:

087 – BWTG: Emptying Your Inbox

/in , ,

This week on the BWTG “how-to” WELSTech podcast we share steps for implementing a productivity system to maintain an empty inbox.

The discussion:

Bonus WELSTech GoodnessEmptying Your Inbox – The topic for today’s BWTG (Bonus WELSTech Goodness) episode is one that affects everyone in the digital age, and while it is simply stated as “Emptying Your Inbox” it can be a complex and challenging task.  Listen as Martin shares tips from his Personal Productivity seminar on how to enhance communication, reduce stress and achieve “Mind Like Water” via an empty inbox.

Get involved:

086 – How To Synod Convention

/in ,

This week on the WELSTech podcast the discussion centers on the technology behind this year’s Synod Convention.

The discussion:

2009 Synod ConventionPack your bags – If you can’t be in Saginaw, MI next week for WELS 2009 Convention, you can enjoy the next best thing, a virtual convention experience complete with live video and audio streams, images, blogs, online resolutions, daily news and more.  Martin and Sallie discuss the technology of convention and how your congregation and school might capitalize on some of the same “tech”niques.

New Technology Showcase:

Picks of the week:

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(50:25) WELSTech double-duty continues next week

  • Episode 087 – Increase your productivity and communication by emptying your inbox, the topic of the next Bonus WELSTech Goodness (BWTG) episode. (Release date 07/27/09)
  • Episode 088 – Get things done with a new crop of Web 2.0 mind mapping and collaboration tools. (Release date 07/29/09)

The featured artist:

(52:20) This week we close with the beautiful piano music of Dawn Gehlhar – All Through the Night from her CD titled ”Inspirations”

Get involved:

085 – BWTG: Custom RSS Feeds

/in , ,

On this mini “how-to” WELSTech episode learn three easy steps for sharing links on your web site via a custom RSS feed from Delicious.

The discussion:

Bonus WELSTech GoodnessCustom RSS Feeds – If you’ve ever surfed to a web page with news or information which would be perfect for sharing on your church or school web site, then you’ll appreciate today’s BWTG episode where Martin and Sallie discuss an easy solution for adding those desired links to your site using some RSS magic.  Tune in for some delicious “Bonus WELSTech Goodness”!

Get involved:

084 – Teens, Tech and Trek

/in ,

This week the WELSTech podcast takes a look back at the recent youth rally and the lessons we can learn about technology in youth ministry.

The discussion:

WELS International Youth Rally 2009Reaching youth with technology  – Joining Martin and Sallie for a recap of the WELS International Youth Rally are Dr. Joel Nelson and Jeremy Bakken from the Youth Discipleship office.  From registration through MySpace to 41 multi-media presentations, the Youth Rally was wired to reach teens in their digital comfort zone.  Joel and Jeremy share tips and resources for youth leaders who are considering technology tools for outreach to teens.

New Technology Showcase:

Picks of the week:

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(50:30) Join us for two episodes of WELSTech next week

  • Episode 085 – The BWTG (Bonus WELSTech Goodness) how-to topic of the week is creating custom RSS feeds for your web site using Delicious. (Release date 07/20/09)
  • Episode 086 – With Synod Convention less than one week away, this episode of WELSTech will give you a behind-the-scenes look at the technology being used to bring the convention experience to you virtually. (Release date 07/22/09)

The featured artist:

(51:10) This week we close with the music of Revelation, a music ministry of Wisconsin Lutheran College (www.revelationwlc.com) – Such Joy from their CD titled ”We Walk By Faith”

Get involved:

083 – BWTG: Web Image Editing

/in , ,

Creating the perfect image for your church or school web site is the subject of this mini WELSTech podcast.

The discussion:

Bonus WELSTech GoodnessWeb Image Editing – The current episode of “Bonus WELSTech Goodness” (BWTG) covers the basics of image editing using the free site Picnik.com.  Listen as Martin and Sallie discuss the ministry applications for great images and share video tutorials, help documents and links to get you started.

Get involved:

082 – It’s A Small WELS After All

/in ,

This week the WELSTech podcast includes more discussion of the book Here Comes Everybody as well as an interview with a software consultant from ProCare Software.

The discussion:

Bonding and Bridging – Martin and Sallie revisit Clay Shirky’s book, Here Comes Everybody, and discuss chapter 9, “Fitting Our Tools to a Small World”.  Lessons from the chapter illustrate the potential pitfall of congregations focusing solely on closed group, insider fellowship while excluding groups, cultures and ideas outside the “network”.

The interview:

Shelley Spliethof, ProCare Software(16:00) Technology heads to daycare – Martin and Sallie talk with Shelley Spliethof, Executive Software Consultant with ProCare Software, about the information challenges daycare and preschool organizations face and how ProCare Software addresses those needs.

New Technology Showcase:

(29:40) Firefox 3.5 – The latest version of the Mozilla browser

Picks of the week:

  • (33:50) SparkleBox – A teacher’s treasure chest of free printables
  • Diigo – Social bookmarking meets the writable web

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(52:22) WELSTech2 continues:

  • Episode 083 – Join us for a summer “Picnik” of image editing tips on the latest installment of “Bonus WELSTech Goodness” (BWTG). (Release date 07/13/09)
  • Episode 084 – Joel and Jeremy from the Youth Discipleship office share a recap of the International Youth Rally as we take a look at ways we can use technology to reach out to teens. (Release date 07/15/09)

The featured artist:

(53:49) The music of WELS group Corban Creek closes this week’s podcast – We hear Psalm 13 from their CD titled “Could It be Me”

Get involved: