Tag Archive for: books

WELSTech episode 709 promotion image - AI in the Classroom.

709 – AI In The Classroom

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The future has arrived on WELSTech as we kick off a series of shows on artificial intelligence. We also discuss The Foundation series from Congregational Services, making stickers on the Cricut Xtra, using your phone as a webcam, and more. Turn it up and enjoy!

The discussion

WELSTech episode 709 promotion image - AI in the Classroom.The Uprising – A new season of edtech discussion is underway with special guest host, Prof. Rachel Feld from Martin Luther College. We’re discussing the recently published book The AI Classroom: The Ultimate Guide to Artificial Intelligence in Education by Daniel Fitzpatrick, Amanda Fox, and Brad Weinstein. Part one of the book is a bit of a history lesson on artificial intelligence (AI). We talk about what it is, how it works, and ways we’re already using it, plus we look at its potential for the future, and some of the not so admirable qualities of AI.

Ministry resource

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We don’t know the topic yet, but it will be great because Martin and Sallie will be in the same place!

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707 – Tech Like a Pirate Pt 5

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WELSTech is back with a wrap up discussion of Tech Like a PIRATE, our Summer 2023 book selection. Teacher Donovan Waege joins the book conversation. Sallie tips her hand on two of her favorite e-newsletters, and Martin shares a new recommended password keeper solution. Plus, there’s a new podcast for your playlist!

The discussion

That’s a wrap – Martin and Sallie share highlights from the closing chapters of Matt Miller’s Tech Like a PIRATE: Using Classroom Technology to Create an Experience and Make Learning Memorable. Donovan Waege, 5th & 6th grade teacher and Technology Director at St. Peter Lutheran School in Weyauwega, WI and Tech PIRATE, shares his impression of the book as well.

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Check out the latest podcast from Blueprint Schools, hosted by WELSTech friend Dana Kirchoff and featuring another WELSTech friend, Cindi Holman, WELS National Coordinator for Early Childhood Ministry.

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Telling Truth in Love to Mormons (TILM) using tech.

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706 – Tech Like a Pirate Pt 4

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Welcome back to WELSTech! Today’s segment of summer reading from Tech Like a PIRATE focuses on exploration and global communication in the classroom. Plus, we learn that even Martin breaks a sweat sometimes, and that’s ok! Sallie plays the hardware pick “ultimate trump card” while Martin does some star gazing. All this, and more, awaits!

The discussion

eBallot.com – Synod Convention electronic voting

Exploration and Global Communication – WELSTech lite summer reading continues with an overview of 7 & 8 of Matt Miller’s Tech Like a PIRATE: Using Classroom Technology to Create an Experience and Make Learning Memorable.

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We wrap up Tech Like a Pirate with Chapter 9 and an interview with a pirate.

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705 – Tech Like a Pirate Pt 3

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Collaborate with WELSTech on our classroom technology discussion of Matt Miller’s book, Tech Like a PIRATE! We review chapters 5 & 6 this week and share a few summer hardware pics we’ve added to our setups. There’s community news covering AI Sermons, Google Ads for Non-Profits, and video professional development for teachers.

The discussion

Image is AI-generated using Canva.com

Collaboration and Imagery – Martin and Sallie discuss chapters 5 & 6 of Matt Miller’s Tech Like a PIRATE: Using Classroom Technology to Create an Experience and Make Learning Memorable.

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Tech Like a Pirate – Chapters 7 & 8

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700 – Celebrating 700!

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For the 700th time, welcome to WELSTech, a show about technology and ministry and where those two intersect! Martin and Sallie look way back to 2008 when the show started and explore the changing landscape of tech-in-ministry which they’ve observed through the years. Church texting platforms, fancy social media posts, and AI-generated text are some of the 2023 tech-in-ministry topics discussed on this episode as well.

The discussion

A big milestone – Martin and Sallie suited up to celebrate this 700th episode of WELSTech with a look back at where and why it started, tech-in-ministry topics then and now, retro WELSTech images, and book reviews through the years. Plus, the WELSTech “ace in the hole” is revealed!

Ministry resource

Top 28 Church Texting Platforms – Comparison chart in the PDF

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Amanda Klemp from WELS Communication Services shares tips for great e-newsletters

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678 – Web Excellence

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We’re talking web sites on this week’s WELSTech, and we’re joined by WELS Web Developer, Tim Sinclair. This episode also includes information security guidelines for congregations, book recommendations, and a recap of the recent XR Festival sponsored by Christ in Media. Geeks will be especially excited by Martin’s incremental backup pick!

The discussion

Congregation Web Development – Tim Sinclair, WELS Web Developer, talks with Martin and Sallie about best practices and resources for congregation web development.

Ministry Resource

WELS General Information Security Guidelines

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Sallie shares highlights from the Christ in Media XR Festival, held recently at Bethany Lutheran College

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Pastor James Behringer, Administrator for WELS Special Ministries, shares updates on prison ministry tech

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662 – From LEGOs to Email

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WELSTech is back with LEGO news and a wrap up of the book discussion of A World Without Email. Martin shares a free tool for creating diagrams and flowcharts, and the community mail bag includes the ability to ride along with a raindrop. Did we mention LEGOs?

The discussion

Every techie loves LEGOs, so it’s appropriate we offer huge WELSTech congrats to Caleb and Jacob Schilling, WELS members recently featured on Season 2 of LEGO Masters.

Protocols & Specialization – Martin and Sallie conclude the discussion of A World Without Email by Cal Newport with practical suggestions for improving workflow and moving away from the hyperactive hive mind way of working.

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A new season of WELSTech kicks off, loaded with all kinds of WELSTech goodness, of course! We welcome guest hosts Rachel Feld and Jason Schmidt as well as Paul Patterson from the Lutheran Schools Office who will preview the upcoming WELS Education Conference 2022. All that, and we’re adding video to the show too!

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661 – Adding Value to Information

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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.

Ford assembly line, 1913 – via Wikipedia

The discussion

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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.

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The book discussion concludes with a discussion of chapters 6 & 7 and the conclusion of A World Without Email by Cal Newport.

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660 – Is Email Making Us Miserable?

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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.

The discussion

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.

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Coming next on WELSTech

The book discussion continues as we look at chapters 4 & 5 of A World Without Email by Cal Newport.

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Book - A World without E-mail - welstech

659 – Are You Checking Your Email Again?

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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.

Book - A World without E-mail - welstechThe discussion

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.”

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Coming next on WELSTech

The book discussion continues as we look at chapters 2 & 3 of A World Without Email by Cal Newport.

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