078 – Twitter and the Twassroom

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This week the WELSTech podcast focus is Twitter in education as Martin and Sallie talk with two WELS teachers who are blazing the Twitter trail, Gail Potratz and Jason Schmidt.

The discussion:

Twitter in Education – Gail Potratz, Technology Coordinator for Emanuel in New London, WI and our “Semi-regular Classroom Technology Correspondent”, sits in on the podcast as we discuss Twitter for teachers.

The interview:

Jason Schmidt(20:43) A WELS Teacher Tweets – Jason Schmidt, 3rd and 4th grade teacher from Gethsemane in Omaha, NE and jasonschmidt123 on Twitter, joins Martin and Sallie to talk about his experience as a Twitter user and about the many classroom and professional development resources it has made him aware of.

New Technology Showcase:

(37:57) iPhone OS 3.0

Picks of the week:

  • (43:37) ShareThis – Sharing made easy (or was Gail’s pick GroupTweet?)
  • TweetDeck app for iPhone & iPod Touch – in iTunes
  • Twellow – Twitter directory

Of interest:

(53:57) BWTG is live!  On this week’s Bonus WELSTech Goodness episode you can learn about Google Calendar, and next Monday we’ll share “how-to” tips for Google Reader.

Community feedback:

  • (57:42) Jeremy Johnson commented on the recent Narnia discussion and blogged his take on Lifehacker’s Essential Windows Apps
  • Still baffled by Twitter search?  Sallie shared a link to the newest CommonCraft video, Twitter Search in Plain English
  • The WELSTech listserve conversation continues on stock video resources and privatizing areas of a FinalWeb site.  Check the online archive for details.
  • Ryan Rosenthal from Faith in Fond du Lac, WI shared loads of great comments on a variety of recent WELSTech topics.
  • Jason Schmidt from Gethsemane in Omaha, NE tweeted #WELSTech to share Tube Chop – use it to carve out a desired section of a YouTube video
  • Allan Bundt tossed out the idea of a WELSTech video podcast – hmmm … you really don’t want to go there ;-)
  • Brad Wheeling, who heads up Concordia Technology Solutions, is looking for beta testers for Shepherd’s Staff 2010 – Contact Brad on Twitter at CTSBrad

Coming up on WELSTech:

(1:05:45) Episode 080 – We preview the Web 2.0 tools that will be a part of the new WELS.net

The featured artist:

(1:07:07) The music of WELS artist Mike Westendorf (www.mikewestendorf.com) closes this week’s podcast – I Will Sing from his CD titled “Climb The Mountain”

Get involved:

  • Add a comment below
  • Send us an e-mail [email protected]
  • Leave us a voice mail 414-375-2334
  • Add to the WELSTech wiki welstechwiki.wels.net
  • Contribute to the #WELSTech Twitter conversation
  • Follow us on Twitter – mspriggs and welstechtrainer
  • Use the del.icio.us tag welstech
  • Join the WELSTech community:
    • WELSTech listserve
    • WELSTech on facebook

077 – BWTG: Google Calendar

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Learn how to create, share and embed a Google calendar on this mini WELSTech podcast.

The discussion:

Bonus WELSTech GoodnessGoogle Calendar – Martin and Sallie kick off Bonus WELSTech Goodness (or BWTG for short), a mid-week, mini podcast series and companion wiki pages covering simple steps to put today’s technology to work in the congregation and school setting.  The inaugural BWTG topic is Google Calendar, which is useful for church and school staff collaboration and display on your web site.

  • Google Calendar on the WELSTech wiki – Get instructions and view video tutorials

Get involved:

  • Add a comment below
  • Send us an e-mail [email protected]
  • Leave us a voice mail 414-375-2334
  • Add to the WELSTech wiki welstechwiki.wels.net
  • Contribute to the #WELSTech Twitter conversation
  • Follow us on Twitter – mspriggs and welstechtrainer
  • Use the del.icio.us tag welstech
  • Join the WELSTech community:
    • WELSTech listserve
    • WELSTech on facebook

076 – Where’d My Bowling League Go?

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This week the WELSTech podcast discussion focuses on real-time, face-to-face fellowship challenges and ways technology can assist.

The discussion:

Meet UpDeclining social capital – Martin and Sallie discuss chapter 8 of Clay Shirky’s book Here Comes Everybody titled “Solving Social Dilemmas”.  The decline of “social capital” has effected congregations and schools as they experience the difficulty of getting people together for fellowship, but the good news is there are ways technology can assist in connecting people.

  • Meetup.com – Find a niche group to meet face-to-face

New Technology Showcase:

(18:30) Google Wave – A developing communication tool

Picks of the week:

Announcing BWTG:

(31:50) Something new – Bonus WELSTech Goodness (BWTG)

  • Mid-week mini “how-to” episodes set to launch on Monday, June 22nd
  • Look for Episode 077 – BWTG: Google Calendars

Community feedback:

  • (35:00) Gail Potratz from Emanuel in New London, WI asked about twitter hashtags, left a voice mail about using iGoogle for her Personal Learning Network and shared a link to her Twtpoll
  • Jason Schmidt from Gethsemane in Omaha, NE tweeted several tech goodies
  • Sallie shared a link to an article on Scareware from USA Today
  • Check out the WELSTech listserve archives for recent discussions on
    • Video sources
    • MIDI resources
    • Installing XP on newer computers
  • John Shoosmith from Redeemer in Yakima, WA created a “copyright friendly” scripture recording

Coming up on WELSTech:

(48:08) Episode 078 – Next Wednesday’s topic will be “Twitter in Education” with guest host Gail Potratz and interviewee/teacher/twitterer, Jason Schmidt

The featured artist:

(49:21) This week we close with music of WELS musician Stephen Bautista (www.stephenbautistamusic.com) – Brand New Day from his CD with the same title

Get involved:

  • Add a comment below
  • Send us an e-mail [email protected]
  • Leave us a voice mail 414-375-2334
  • Add to the WELSTech wiki welstechwiki.wels.net
  • Contribute to the #WELSTech Twitter conversation
  • Follow us on Twitter – mspriggs and welstechtrainer
  • Use the del.icio.us tag welstech
  • Join the WELSTech community:
    • WELSTech listserve
    • WELSTech on facebook

075 – On The Road With Sallie!

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This week on WELSTech the topic is tech items to take along when you’re away from home.

The discussion:

On the roadPack your bags  – With conference and vacation season upon us, many people are “on the road”. Whether you’re leaving home for work or play, Martin and Sallie discuss all the techie items you need to pack to stay connected.

  • Pogoplug – Connect your external hard drive to the internet for remote access

New Technology Showcase:

  • (17:09) Bing – Microsoft search engine

Picks of the week:

Community feedback:

  • (30:44) Following up on last week’s backup discussion …
  • Pastor Dan Witte from Risen Savior in Lakewood Ranch, FL shared a resource page he created for studying God’s Word in the original languages
  • Christopher Hintz is looking for information on curriculum mapping software solutions.  Stay tuned!
  • Jason Schmidt tweeted to #WELSTech about Creaza.com – a productivity site for kids

Coming up on WELSTech:

(39:34) Episode 076 – The discussion of chapter 8 of Clay Shirky’s Here Comes Everybody titled “Solving Social Dilemmas” will look at the increasing difficulty of getting people together

The featured artist:

(41:05) This week we close with music of WELS instrumentalist In His Service (www.adagioconcepts.com) – Lost In The Night from their CD titled “In His Time”

Get involved:

074 – Fry Your Pickles. Back Up Your Data.

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This week the WELSTech podcast discussion centers on the important but often overlooked task of computer backups.

The discussion:

Rob BensonBackup glam  – Joining Martin and Sallie for a second time is our very own WELS Network Security guru, Rob Benson. The first time Rob was on the podcast, we talked about computer security.  This time around Rob joins us to glamorize the topic of backup and, with Martin’s help, manages to succeed! Topics include why you should bother to backup, schedules, media devices, software and backing up to the cloud.

New Technology Showcase:

Picks of the week:

  • (29:08) Web-based Activities & Resources for Elementary School Students from the Langwitches blog
  • Google Chrome – speedy browser

Of interest:

  • (34:45) WELS Lutherans for Life, Metro-Milwaukee is sponsoring SOUL Ride on June 20, 2009
    • Ride for the Sanctity Of Unborn Life (SOUL)
    • Scenic ride north in the Holy Hill/Kettle Moraine area for any motorcyclist
    • Cost is $25 per rider
    • Details and registration at www.soulride.org

Community feedback:

  • (36:32) Following up on last week’s classroom video discussion, we heard from Perry Lund, and Sallie shared a link to TeacherTube MySite
  • Pastor Jeremiah Gumm from Cross of Christ in Liverpool, NY shared a link to the MediaSalt blog post Nobody cares about your web site
    • Interesting linked post from Midnight Oil Productions about a Twitter sermon series in the news
  • Dan Lohrmann, security expert, author of Virtual Integrity and recent guest on WELSTech, gave us a shout out on his Faithfully Online blog
  • Kelly Huet was looking for SMARTBoard training resources for a newbie.  Check out
  • John Simonson shared a link to the CommonCraft video Google Docs in Plain English and thought it would be a great way to educate church committees about the power of online collaboration

Coming up on WELSTech:

(45:22) Episode 075 – Pack your bags WELSTech-style and maintain all your computing needs on the road

The featured artist:

(46:30) This week we close with music of WELS artist Kevin Loersch – Amazing Grace from his CD titled “Abide with Me”

Get involved:

073 – Warm Ears, Hot Video

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This week the WELSTech podcast explores online video for education as we talk with Anne Feldkamp from Learn 360.com.

The discussion:

Video in the Classroom – Gail Potratz, Technology Coordinator for Emanuel in New London, WI, rejoins Martin and Sallie for our monthly conversation focusing on classroom technology. This month we look at online educational video resources, touching on the necessary hardware setup as well as fee-based and free video resources

The interview:

Anne Feldkamp(18:45) The Educator’s Digital Library – Anne Feldkamp, Learn 360’s Content Acquisition and Product Development Manager, talks with Martin and Sallie about the benefits of their media on demand service which puts a library of digital media at teacher’s fingertips 24/7.

  • Learn360.com
  • Support WELS Parish Schools and receive a complimentary subscription to Learn 360

New Technology Showcase:

  • (34:56) Read a review of Verizon’s MiFi 2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot by David Pogue from The New York Times
  • Search Verizon to see if MiFi is available in your area

Picks of the week:

WELS.net feature:

  • (49:22) Summer vacation time is the perfect time to remind your members about the WELS Locator service – wels.locatorsearch.com

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(57:02) Episode 074 – Rob Benson will join Martin and Sallie for a discussion of the oh-so-glamorous task of backup

The featured artist:

(58:14) The music of WELS artist WendySue Fluegge (www.wendysue.com) closes this week’s podcast – Teach Me from her CD titled “The Instrument”

Get involved:

072 – e-Me’s and Virtual Integrity

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This week on the WELSTech podcast Internet security expert and author Dan Lohrmann joins Martin and Sallie to share ideas on avoiding the pitfalls of integrity theft.

The interview and discussion:

Dan LohrmannHabits of Online Integrity – Dan Lohrmann, author of Virtual Integrity: Faithfully Navigating the Brave New Web, shares his knowledge of the traps that exist which lead Christians to sacrifice their online integrity as well as practical solutions to combat the temptations.  One option which Dan explores in his book is the use of accountability software.  Martin and Sallie share information on several programs as well as ministry applications for the software tools.

New Technology Showcase:

Picks of the week:

Of interest:

  • (49:25) Tune in to live streaming of Seminary Call Service, Ascension Concert and Graduation
  • Check the schedule and watch the events at streams.wels.net/site/live

Community feedback:

  • (50:15) Listener Jeremy Johnson left a comment on our last show notes page with lots of thoughts on the topics discussed and a Wikipedia alternative, www.conservapedia.com
  • Jason Schmidt from Gethsemane in Omaha, NE “tweeted” several great links:
    • Drop.io adds web presentations – present.io
    • iTALC is an open source software alternative for computer lab management
    • Link to a specific spot in a YouTube video
    • Online Bible baseball
  • Vicar Michael Johnson from St. Andrew in Waunekee, WI sent us an invite to their new facebook page
  • David Savatski from WELS Missions and member of Living Word in Waukesha, WI left a voicemail regarding his congregation’s use of the Evangelism Toolbox DVD and his personal review of Windows 7 Release Candidate

Coming up on WELSTech:

(1:01:08) Episode 073 – Gail Potratz lends her classroom perspective to our discussion of educational video channels, and we talk with a representative from Learn360.com.

The featured artist:

(1:02:14) This week we close with the music of WELS praise band Koine (www.koinemusic.com) – Christ is our Cornerstone from their CD titled “Koine II”

Get involved:

  • Add a comment below
  • Send us an e-mail [email protected]
  • Leave us a voice mail 414-375-2334
  • Add to the WELSTech wiki welstechwiki.wels.net
  • Contribute to the #WELSTech Twitter conversation
  • Follow us on Twitter – mspriggs and welstechtrainer
  • Use the del.icio.us tag welstech
  • Join the WELSTech community:
    • WELSTech listserve
    • WELSTech on facebook

071 – Electronic Church Doors

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This week the WELSTech podcast examines the platforms and methods available to spread the Word in the 21st century.

The discussion:

Pastor Mike HintzAnswering the question – Pastor Mike Hintz, Administrator for WELS Commission on Evangelism, joins in on Martin and Sallie’s discussion of chapter’s 6 and 7 of Clay Shirky’s book, Here Comes Everybody.  In terms of evangelism today, the question isn’t “Where or what is the church?” but “Who is God?”, and we can use the power of the Internet to share our confessional response to that question.

New Technology Showcase:

Picks of the week:

  • (33:30) Free Animoto for Educators – Create animated videos of your photos
    • Thanks to Jason Schmidt from Gethsemane in Omaha, NE for this link!
    • Check out their FAQ for a great Gmail method of creating “dummy” student e-mail accounts
  • FoxitPDF

Of interest:

  • (41:29) This week features live streaming of MLC Graduation and Call Service as well as Vicar Call Service
  • Check the schedule and watch the events at streams.wels.net/site/live

Community feedback:

  • (43:53) Welcome WELSTech listeners, Prof. Bob Anderson and Missionary Mike Hartman
  • Are you a WELSTech listener with a ministry technology idea to share?  We’d love to interview you!  Contact us to get the ball rolling!
  • Pastor Dan Witte from Risen Savior in Lakewood Ranch, FL shared several great links:
    • OneLicense.net announces licensing to cover podcasts
    • Enroll in the upcoming Google Teacher Academy – August 5 in Boulder, CO
    • Handle comments on your blog with IntenseDebate
    • Need a desert island Bible software pick?  Pastor Witte wouldn’t want to live without BibleWorks
    • The New York Times is talking Twitter, just like WELSTech

Coming up on WELSTech:

(50:29) Episode 072 – We’ll talk with Dan Lohrmann, author of Virtual Integrity and discuss accountability software options.

The featured artist:

(52:15) This week we close with piano music of Dawn Gehlhar – Beautiful Savior from her CD titled “Inspiration”

Get involved:

  • Add a comment below
  • Send us an e-mail [email protected]
  • Leave us a voice mail 414-375-2334
  • Add to the WELSTech wiki welstechwiki.wels.net
  • Contribute to the #WELSTech Twitter conversation
  • Follow us on Twitter – mspriggs and welstechtrainer
  • Use the del.icio.us tag welstech
  • Join the WELSTech community:
    • WELSTech listserve
    • WELSTech on facebook

070 – Twitter…What’s It Good For Anyway?

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This week on the WELSTech podcast we share ideas for using Twitter as a communication channel for your church or school, and we talk with Dick Diener about some interesting classroom technology projects.

The discussion:

All Things Twitter – By now WELSTech listeners have undoubtedly heard of the popular micro-blogging site, Twitter.  Martin and Sallie bring you up to speed on what Twitter is and more importantly on how this new instant communication channel can be leveraged for ministry purposes.

The interview:

Dick Diener(19:22) Integrating technology in the classroom – Martin and Sallie talk with Dick Diener, WELS member of Our Savior in Grafton, WI and Technology Integrator for the Mequon-Thiensville School District, about several interesting school technology projects.  Dick invites WELS schools to be part of the international “Honoring Veterans” wiki sharing project.

  • Japanese Friendship Doll podcast for the Milwaukee Public Museum
  • Honoring Veterans Ozaukee County podcast project
  • Schools are invited to post their veterans projects at honoring-veterans.wikispaces.com/share

New Technology Showcase:

Picks of the week:

Of interest:

  • (52:14) Live streaming graduation and call services – Schedule for May 15-22

Community feedback:

  • (53:32) Cindy Krueger from Shepherd of the Hills in Lansing, MI shared progress her congregation is making toward a facebook presence and passed along WELSTech ideas for summer learning to others
  • Pastor Jeremiah Gumm from Cross of Christ in Liverpool, NY shared a link to 10 Things to Fix on Your Website from the Web Driven Church blog
  • Following up on the interview with WELS musicianary Mike Westendorf, Mark Heilman shared a link to Twinfinity Creations, a consignment space for Christian art, music and books
  • Recent updates on the WELSTech wiki (welstechwiki.wels.net) include
    • Work by John Shoosmith from Redeemer in Yakima, WA on the Closed Caption Video page and the Congregations in iTunes page
    • A new Technology Planning page to house ideas and sample church technology plans
  • Ryan Rosenthal from Faith in Fond du Lac, WI shared a comment on his recent WELSTech Contest win, “Of course the real winners are my school and students because of the great ideas I have gotten from listening to WELSTech!”
  • Gail Potratz from Emanuel in New London, WI left an audio comment recommending Switch from NCH Software, a format changer companion for WavePad audio editor
  • Mary Raether from New Hope in West Melbourne, FL was looking for our past conversation on wiki tools

Coming up on WELSTech:

(1:04:19) Episode 071 – The discussion will center around chapter seven of Clay Shirky’s book Here Comes Everybody, “Faster and Faster”

The featured artist:

(1:05:28) This week we close with the music of Revelation, a music ministry of Wisconsin Lutheran College (www.revelationwlc.com) – Roll the Stone Away from their CD titled “We Walk By Faith”

Get involved:

069 – Enough Google Already

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This week on the WELSTech podcast the listener’s rule as we share some of their entries in the recent desert island software contest.

The contest:

WELSTech Desert Island Picks ContestTop 5 Desert Island Software Picks – Martin and Sallie discuss some of the “I-wouldn’t-want-live-without-it” software titles shared by entrants in the recent WELSTech contest. Listen to find out if you are the winner of the a $25 gift certificate to the WELSTech store (cafepress.com/welstech).

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 070 – Are you tweeting as part of your church technology plan?  Next week we’ll cover all things Twitter and take a look at what purpose it might serve in ministry in this digital age.

The featured artist:

This week we close with the music of WELS group Corban Creek – Empty Grave from their CD titled Could It Be Me

Get involved: