Tag Archive for: education

090 – Run MDMC

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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:

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

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:

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:

068 – Spending A Smarter Summer

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This week on the WELSTech podcast we gear up for summer with loads of options for personal learning, and we conclude our interview with WELS musicianary Mike Westendorf.

The discussion:

Summer Learning – Gail Potratz, our monthly guest host and Technology Coordinator at Emanuel in New London, WI, joins the conversation with Martin and Sallie, and we look at all the possibilities for learning something new this summer, including face-to-face and online, traditional and via your Personal Learning Network (PLN).

  • Summer classes from
    • Martin Luther College
    • Wisconsin Lutheran College
    • Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary
  • Online learning opportunities
  • Pull your PLN all together on a custom page using
  • Summer reading recommendation
  • Join Gail at the zoo
    • Milwaukee Digital Media Conference

The interview:

Mike Westendorf(18:22) Music With A Message – Martin and Sallie continue their discussion with WELS musician Mike Westendorf about the maturity of a Christian artist into a musicianary.

Picks of the week:

The contest:

WELSTech Desert Island Picks Contest(47:47) Top 5 Desert Island Software Picks

  • Send us the five software titles you wouldn’t want to live without – free or fee, desktop or Web 2.0, anything goes
  • Get us your list via your favorite WELSTech communication channel – e-mail us, leave us a voice mail (414-375-2334), send us a message on facebook or twitter – just get us your top 5 picks!
  • One random entry will receive a $25 gift certificate to the WELSTech store (cafepress.com/welstech)
  • Deadline for entry is Sunday April 26, 2009 @ 11:59 p.m.
  • Listen to WELSTech Episode 069 on April 29th to find out if you are the winner and to experience a virtual desert island of software picks

Community feedback:

  • (49:17) The #WELSTech Twitter conversation this week featured
    • Jason Schmidt from Gethsemane in Omaha, NE shared a link to another video captioning web site, this time for YouTube videos – CaptionTube
  • John Shoosmith from Redeemer in Yakima, WA
    • Reports that the video hosting and captioning site discussed in our last episode, dotSub.com, allows for 300 MB video uploads which is more than adequate for typical sermons
    • Added a new page to the WELSTech wiki (welstechwiki.wels.net) with coaching on video angels, lighting and more – Video Taping Guide
  • Additional WELSTech wiki updates include
    • New pages capturing the WELSTech listserve discussions on Office Suite and Server software
    • Discussion on calendar software
  • Check out the WELSTech listserve archive for discussions on Moodle and Martin’s call for church technology plans
  • Brian Preuss shared a link to a free, open-source, Linux-based church management software application, ChurchInfo, www.churchdb.org

Coming up on WELSTech:

(1:04:32) Episode 069 – The contest results are in, and we share our listener’s list of desert island software picks.  You’ll want to tune in to find out if you are the lucky winner of a $25 WELSTech store gift certificate. Enter to win by April 26th!

  • Production note: Due to scheduling conflicts, this episode will have a later-than-normal release time.  Look for it by noon on April 29th.

The featured artist:

(1:06:20) This week we close with WELS artist Michael Schroeder (www.michaelschroeder.com) – The One from his CD titled Fuel For The Soul

Get involved:

064 – Who needs an encyclopedia?

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This week on WELSTech Martin, Sallie and Gail discuss Personal Learning Networks (PLNs) and Patti Ullsperger from Lenovo updates us on exciting new classroom technology.

The discussion:

The interview:

  • Patti UllspergerClassroom technology by Lenovo (22:58) – Patti Ullsperger from computer maker and ShopWELS.net vendor Lenovo joins Martin and Sallie to share information on the newest technologies Lenovo offers to enhance classroom learning.

The tidbits:

  • Picks of the week (37:19)
  • New technology showcase (46:15)
  • Community feedback (52:56)
    • The PDF conversation started in our last episode continues:
      • Joshua Schoeneck, Director of Technology at Kettle Moraine LHS, cautioned that some users don’t have the PDF reader, particularly in foreign countries
      • Perry Lund from Grace in Oskaloosa, IA shared a link to PDF Shrink, a Mac PDF tool for optimization
      • Rob Benson, our own WELS Security Administrator, agreed that free PDF solutions can solve many needs.  His comment was on Sallie’s facebook post about the podcast.  Why not share today’s podcast on your favorite social sites using the row of icons at the bottom of today’s show notes?
      • Pastor Dan Witte from Risen Savior in Lakewood Ranch, FL reminded us to consider encryption and password protection of sensitive PDF docs
    • Pastor Tim Wagner of Abiding Peace in Elgin, IL asked how to create an RSS feed of a web page that doesn’t have a feed.  Try www.ponyfish.com.
  • Coming up on WELSTech (1:00:04)
    • Episode 065 – Tune in to our April Fool’s Day broadcast for a new contest announcement and a security discussion with Rob Benson

The featured artist:

  • We close with the music of WELS insrumentalist In His Service (www.adagioconcepts.com) – Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow from their fourth CD titled In Our Hearts (1:01:54)

Get involved:

060 – Technology Planning Maui Style

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This week on WELSTech Martin, Sallie and Gail Potratz take a look at the components of a school technology plan.

The discussion:

  • School Technology PlanSchool Technology Plans – Martin and Sallie are joined by Gail Potratz, Technology Coordinator at Emanual Lutheran School in New London, WI and our semi-regular classroom technology correspondent, for a discussion of school technology plans.  Why do schools need a tech plan, who should be involved in writing it and what should go into it are a few of the questions addressed.
    • Online teacher technology assessments – www.loticonnection.com
    • Visit the WELSTech wiki page on School Technology Plans for sample plans which you can download and modify for your school

The tidbits:

  • Picks of the week (25:15)
  • Community feedback (33:55)
    • Richard Travis sent us a link to Scribd.com for professional looking web publishing
    • Vicar Michael Johnson from St. Andrew in Middleton, WI shared a creative use for his iPod in church
    • David Savastki from Living Word in Waukesha, WI asked about sending text messages to a group (try Twitter) and invited us to join the new facebook group for his congregation, Friends of Living Word
    • Pastor Paul Jansen from Holy Scripture in Ft. Wayne, IN shared a link to a Microsoft Photosynth 3D view of his sanctuary, compiled from 88 photos
    • Ryan Rosenthal from Faith in Fond du Lac left us a voice mail full of great money saving ideas you may want to implement in your school or church including using free audio of public domain books at www.LibriVox.org and receiving a free subscription to Technology & Learning Magazine
    • Pastor Chris Koschnitzke from Christus in Delavan, WI shared details about their new audio/video system, and we’ve added his notes to the Church Media section of the WELSTech wiki at welstech.wetpaint.com
    • Jason Schmidt from Gethsemane in Omaha, NE uses www.mailchimp.com for mass e-mail
  • Coming up on WELSTech (49:19)
    • Episode 061 – Martin shares notes from his Digital Outreach seminar, and we talk with Pastor Ken Fisher about the WhatAboutJesus.com site

The featured artist:

  • This week we close with the beautiful piano music of Dawn Gehlhar – Christ Be My Leader from her CD titled Inspirations (50:25)

Get involved:

  • Add a comment below
  • E-mail: [email protected]
  • Voice mail: 414-375-2334
  • Add to the WELSTech wiki: welstech.wetpaint.com
  • 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

Episode 048 – Dec 3 2008

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This week on WELSTech we are joined by Gail Potratz, our semi-regular classroom technology correspondent, and we take a look at the skills our students need to succeed in the Web 2.0 world.

The discussion:

  • SearchingResearch Skills in a Web 2.0 World – Joining Martin and Sallie for our monthly classroom technologies discussion is Gail Potratz, Technology Coordinator for Emanuel in New London, WI.  Today’s schools are preparing students for careers that don’t even exist currently.  The discussion centers around how to equip students with skills to succeed in this Web 2.0 world.

The tidbits:

  • Picks of the week (26:10)
  • Of interest (34:35)
    • Live streaming of the Koine Christmas concert
      • December 6 @ 5 p.m. CST from Christ Lutheran in Pewaukee, WI
      • Sponsored by WELS Military Services
  • Community feedback (36:20)
    • Jason Winget shared a link on the WELSTech Listserve
    • Add your feedback or ideas about Church Media or Content Management Systems to the WELSTech wiki @ welstech.wetpaint.com
  • Coming up on WELSTech (38:29)

The featured artist:

  • We close with music of Wisconsin Lutheran College’s Revelation music ministry (www.revelationwlc.com) – I’m Free from their Led by Light CD (40:42)

Get involved:

Episode 028 – Jul 16 2008

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Following up on WELSTech Episode 027, Martin and Sallie discuss systems for implementing Getting Things Done(GTD) productivity principles and wrap up their interview with Prof. David Sellnow on the hybrid classroom.

The discussion:

  • ProductivityTime Management Systems – Martin and Sallie continue their discussion of the productivity principles outlined in David Allen’s Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity (listen to Part 1) and explore options for the “trusted system” or tool to store and organize your task list.
    • GTD systems
    • Additional GTD resources
      • Lifehacker.com blog
      • Precision Change podcast – Recent interviews with David Allen
        • Episode 8 – Getting Things Done 201, with David Allen
        • Episode 9 – David Allen Can Make Time Disappear
        • Episode 10 – David Allen Asks, What Are You Here To Do?

The interview:

  • The Hybrid Classroom (17:44) – Today Martin and Sallie conclude their interview with Prof. David Sellnow of Martin Luther College (listen to Part 1).  Prof. Sellnow shares ideas and cautions for getting started with blended courses and also looks into the future at where our synod may go with online education offerings.

The tidbits:

The featured artist:

  • We close with music of WELS artist, Kevin Loersch – O Sacred Head Now Wounded from his CD titled Abide With Me (39:50)

Get involved:

Episode 027 – Jul 9 2008

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This week Martin and Sallie discuss the Getting Things Done organization system for improving personal productivity.  They also interview Prof. David Sellnow about blending traditional and online education.

The discussion:

The interview:

  • Prof. David SellnowThe Hybrid Classroom (28:05) – In the first of a two-part interview, Prof. David Sellnow of Martin Luther College joins Martin and Sallie to share insight into the benefits of blending traditional classroom activities with online activities.  Prof. Sellnow has successfully blended his course offerings at MLC and suggests that similar blending could accentuate courses at the high school and even elementary school levels.

The tidbits:

  • Picks of the week (43:36)
  • WELS.net feature (53:23)
    • Explore the Bible – www.whataboutjesus-explorethebible.com
  • Of interest (55:03)
    • Leadership Conference video archive on Streams
  • Community feedback – Mass e-mail recommendations via the WELSTech listserve (56:27)
    • Michael Plocher from St. Paul’s in New Ulm recommends server-based PHP List – www.phplist.com
    • Cindy Krueger from Shepherd of the Hills in Lansing, MI maintains two Yahoo groups, one for members and one for prospects
    • Sue Fager uses Mail Loop on the job – www.marketingtips.com/mailloop
    • Jason Petoskey uses the FinalWeb group e-mail address feature
    • Joshua Schoeneck from Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School in Jackson, WI uses another server-based solution called LISTSERV (free & lite versions available)

The featured artist:

  • We close with music of WELS artist, WendySue Fluegge (www.wendysue.com) – Time from her CD titled Everyday Christian (1:00:45)

Get involved: