Tag Archive for: edtech

620 – Classroom Management Apps

/in ,

WELSTech is packed with ministry goodness this week including tech tools for classroom behavior management, early childhood ministry educator’s devotions, a variety of Microsoft news, Easter 2020 resources, and a preview of the new Christian Worship hymnal. Join the conversation!

The discussion:

A variety of tech for classroom management – We welcome Professor Rachel Feld to the edtech co-host seat and preview the Classroom Management picks from the Cult of Pedagogy’s Teacher’s Guide to Tech in 2020.

The interview:

Early Childhood Ministry Educator’s Devotions – WELS National Coordinator for Early Childhood Ministry Cindi Holman chats with Martin and Sallie about a devotion series geared to those who work with preschool aged children and their families.

News in tech:

WELS now:

E20 (Easter) resources available

Picks of the week:

Ministry resource:

ChristianWorship.com

Community feedback:

Featured video:

Get moving with Go Noodle’s GET FIRED UP!

Next time:

Tune in for discussion of family devotions with the aid of technology plus online Bible Information Class.

Get involved:

615 – Bitmoji All Around

/in ,

On WELSTech this week we learn a lot of things … how to facilitate school-home communication, where to find security guidelines for churches and schools, how to remotely operate Google Slides, that Apple has a new MacBook Pro on the market, and that the trio of co-hosts are all Bitmoji users. Who knew!

The discussion:

Connecting Guardians and Schools – In the recently released Future of the Classroom report, Google shares 8 trends which they believe will have an impact on how schools prepare students for a yet-to-be-defined future. Teacher-parent communication, one of the 8 trends outlined in the report, is an area where technology can assist, and Jason Schmidt, Instructional Technology Coach for Oconto Falls School District, joins the conversation to share his experience with a tech tool designed for this purpose.

  • Seesaw for Schools
  • WELSTech 593 includes an interview with Stephanie Krahn and Kurt Gosdeck on Student-Driven Portfolios using Seesaw

News in tech:

New MacBook Pro 16″

WELS now:

General Information Security Guidelines for WELS Organizations

Picks of the week:

Ministry resource:

Remote for Slides

Community feedback:

Google’s rollout of RCS chat for all Android users

Featured video:

Enjoy Koine Worship Media’s Now Thank We All Our God.

Get involved:

613 – CatTech

/in ,

The cat takeover continues on WELSTech with this week’s revelation that cat photography is the number one reason to purchase the new iPhone. In other news … we talk about 4 shifts in technology integration, a gamified geography (and more) web app, the latest Google goodness, creating infographics, and more!

The discussion:

Shifting edtech gears – Prof. Rachel Feld from Martin Luther College shares details about the 4 Shifts Protocol, the methodology behind the book Harnessing Technology for Deeper Learning.

The interview:

Fantasy education – Eric Nelson, WELS member and teacher-founder of FANschool.org, shares the story behind harnessing the fun of fantasy football for use in education. Students draft countries and score when their countries are mentioned in the news. Teachers can set up a league for free for up to 35 players. Learn more.

News in tech:

Google spotlight

WELS now:

Picks of the week:

Ministry resource:

Community feedback:

5 Tips for Creating Infographics with Students using Adobe Spark Post and the Noun Project

Featured video:

At South Side Elementary School in Kendalville, IN, students learn computational thinking starting in kindergarten and develop advanced reasoning skills throughout their elementary school years. Supporting Powerful STEM Learning with Technology: Computational Thinking

Next time:

The Gospel Outreach with Media online conference is in full swing and includes a presentation from Sallie about an easy way to build mobile apps using Glide Apps. Tune in for more about the conference and about Glide!

Get involved:

611 – iBullying

/in ,

This week we welcome Jason Schmidt back to WELSTech for a classroom technology conversation on the latest version of status symbol bullying. We also talk with Justin Liepert about Google Administration. There’s device news, a slick update to the WELS online Yearbook, and church homepage advice along with picks of the week and an amazing theme song for the new school year. Listen up!

The discussion:

Classroom technology chat – Jason Schmidt returns to the co-host chair as our semi-regular classroom technology correspondent and brings his own flavor of Wisconsin sunshine to the podcast. He’s the Instructional Technology Coach for Oconto Falls School District.

This week we’re talking about tech-flavored bullying, which is simply a new version of the status symbol envy which we experienced for Air Jordan or Ralph Lauren clothing in the past.

The interview:

Google Administration – Justin Liepert, Technology Coordinator at Winnebago Lutheran Academy, shares highlights from his summer EdTechLead19 sectional on Google Administration.

News in tech:

WELS now:

Learn more about Lutheran School’s Ministerial Growth and Evaluation process at many of the upcoming Teachers’ Conferences

Picks of the week:

Ministry resource:

WELS Online Yearbook now has District, Conference, and Circuit info on Churches and Schools

Community feedback:

Featured video:

Enjoy More Than a Conqueror, the theme song for this year at Immanuel Lutheran School in Greenville, WI, written and performed by Pastor Jeremy Mattek and Joey Schumann.

Get involved:

Faithfully Connected authors

601 – Don’t Give Jason Your Password!

/in ,

Spring has arrived on WELSTech as we wrap up our season-long book discussion of Faithfully Connected with guest host Jason Schmidt and an interview with the authors. Jason shares a “life changing” Google tool and a great book recommendation for summer. Plus, there’s news from Last Pass, a recommendation for Pear Deck, and the debut of the BORAM. Listen now!

The discussion and interview:

Faithfully Connected authors

Dr. Ben Boche and Dr. Jake Hollatz

Finding balance –  Jason Schmidt, edtech co-host extraordinaire, joins Martin and Sallie to wrap up our book discussion of Faithfully Connected. We cover chapter 9, Digital Security, and the conclusion.

And, as a special bonus, Martin and Sallie talk with the authors of Faithfully Connected, Dr. Ben Boche and Dr. Jake Hollatz, to learn more about the motivation and message of the book.

  • ISTE Standards
  • Register by May 31 for WELS Education, Technology, and Leadership Summit

WELS now:

Picks of the week:

Ministry resource:

  • Summer reading from ISTE author, Liz Kolb – Learning First, Technology Second

Community feedback:

Featured video:

Learn more about Pear Deck for Google Slides in this introductory video.

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 602 – Pastor Jim Behringer, administrator for Special Ministries, kicks off our summer focus on WELS Congregational Services.  Release date: Wednesday, June 5.

Get involved:

598 – Digital Health and Wellness

/in ,

Tune in to this week’s WELSTech for a “healthy” discussion of the positive and negative effects of a digital lifestyle on our overall wellness plus ideas for teaching and modeling smart tech limits. We’re happy to have Martin Luther College Professor Rachel Feld on hand as we celebrate MLC Day, and Martin shares details on our current audio recording platform.

The discussion:

Finding balance –  Rachel Feld is back in the edtech guest host chair to chat with Martin and Sallie about chapter 8 of Faithfully Connected – Digital Health and Wellness.

WELS now:

Picks of the week:

Ministry resource:

Community feedback:

Featured video:

Check out Google’s Applied Digital Skills playlist on YouTube for more free training, such as how to Create an Interactive Story.

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 599 – Jonathan Witte shares a sneak peek into his Church and School Promotional Videos sectional happening this summer at #EdTechLead19.  Release date: Wednesday, May 8.

Get involved:

595 – Digital Law … and Gospel

/in ,

WELSTech returns with a discussion of digital law and digital rights and responsibilities, covering important lessons for students (and adults) regarding ethics, copyright, our freedom of speech, and responsibilities that come with it. We’ve also got Pinterest boards with supporting resources, as well as a further discussion of copyright related to movies and music in school settings.

The interview:

Can do/Should do –  Martin and Sallie welcome our semi-regular classroom technology correspondent, Jason Schmidt, and we discuss chapters 6 & 7 of Faithfully Connected – Digital Law and Digital Rights and Responsibilities.

Photo by Sebastian Pichler on Unsplash

WELS now:

Picks of the week:

Ministry Pinterest resource:

Community feedback:

Featured video:

Learn more about Jason’s pick of the week – Bark for Schools Demo

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 596 – Using Google for your School Intranet.  Release date: Thursday, April 18.

Get involved:

590 – Digital Etiquette

/in ,

It’s edtech week on WELSTech, and Professor Rachel Feld is on hand to discuss the next chapter of our season-long book discussion, Faithfully Connected. Martin has new wearable tech, and Rachel shares pins for Lent. Plus, find out who’s up for celebrating the National Day of Unplugging.

The interview:

Mind your manners –  Martin Luther College Professor Rachel Feld joins our edtech book discussion of Faithfully Connected, chapter 5 – Digital Etiquette.

News in tech:

National Day of Unplugging

WELS now:

Serving those who serve

Picks of the week:

Ministry Pinterest resource:

Check out Rachel’s Bible Lessons for Lent board

Community feedback:

Featured video:

Pastor Jeremy Mattek talks about how Grow in Grace has touched his ministry.

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 591 – Pastor Peter Hagen shares his ideas regarding digital side doors to church.  Release date: Wednesday, March 6.

Get involved:

586 – Minus 23

/in ,

It’s cold outside, but we’re warm on WELSTech! Thaw out while you listen to our edtech discussion of digital literacy. We’ll also share the latest from Apple regarding the Facetime bug that may allow others to spy on you, a Chrome extension that solves memory issues, and the first-ever commercial on WELSTech!

The discussion:

Stay warm – The post office may have suspended operation on this record setting cold day, but WELSTech must go on! Join Martin, Sallie, and guest host Jason Schmidt, our semi-regular classroom technology correspondent, for a discussion around teaching digital literacy from chapter four in our Faithfully Connected (available from Concordia Publishing House and Amazon) book discussion.

News in tech:

WELS now:

Grow in Grace Notes Devotions

Picks of the week:

Ministry Pinterest resource:

Digital Literacy board

Community feedback:

Featured video:

Check out Common Sense Media’s Educator’s Professional Development Library for a host of great resources. Many of the videos link to lesson plans. A free account is required. Sample: Private and Personal Information.

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 587 – Martin and Sallie chat with Philip Wels about live streaming and archiving worship video.  Release date: Wednesday, February 6.

Get involved:

534 – #trackhopper

/in ,

This week on WELSTech, we finish off our month-long focus on professional development by talking to Jason Schmidt about his approach to conferences, advanced degrees and helping others “sharpen” their tech skills.

The discussion:

Formal education – Just back from the Future of Education Technology Conference 2018 in an unknown destination, semi-regular education co-host Jason Schmidt shares his thoughts on certifications and advanced degrees as well as church and school financial support of staff professional development. He also shares his favorite “shiny” tech he observed at the conference – the Sharper Origin, a hand-held CNC machine (video).

News in tech:

WELS now:

  • Interactive Faith online Bible Study – Isaiah: God confronts and comforts his people – Pastor Daniel Habben from St. John’s, Antigua leads the study on Wednesday’s now through February 7 at 6 pm and 8 pm (central).
  • Mark your calendars for WELS Education, Technology, and Leadership Summit – June 25-27, 2019 at Kalahari Resort, Wisconsin Dells, WI – Sign up for information

Picks of the week:

Ministry resources:

MathCounts – Middle-school Math competition, club and video competition

Community feedback:

Daily video devotions from Peace in North Mankato, MN are reaching 2,000+ subscribers. tune in on Facebook (facebook.com/PeaceDevotions) or at peacedevotions.com.

Featured video:

This week’s WELSTech double feature kicks off with a sample instructional video from our Ministry Resource discussion – MathCounts Mini #77 – More Counting Using Cases.

And, new on the WELSTech Vimeo “Likes” List is WELS Year in Review.

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 535 – The February WELSTech focus on training volunteers kicks off with a discussion of worship projection and an interview with Kristen Tetteh from Proclaim software. Release date: Thursday, February 8.

Get involved: