Tag Archive for: Gail

330 – Earn Your Badge

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This week the WELSTech web site is all new, after a major upgrade and relocation, and the WELSTech goodness abounds. Guest host Gail Potratz, along with Tyler Shadick, bring us up to speed on the emerging trend of digital badges for assessment in education. We even dole out a few of the first-ever WELSTech badges. FinalWeb training registration is unveiled, plus much more.

The interview and discussion:

Tyler_Shadick145x125Endorse, Honor and Certify! – Badges in education are changing the way teachers assess and motivating students to achieve. Gail Potratz, WELSTech’s semi-regular classroom technology correspondent from Emanuel in New London, WI and Tyler Shadick, Online Learning Systems Analyst from Concordia University, Wisconsin, talk with Martin and Sallie about the reasons to consider badges as part of your assessment strategy and the tools to help you get started.

Credly-WELSTech-blank145x125Check out the new WELSTech Badges

Tech tips:

  • Zooming in on Windows 8 using Magnifier – Windows Key plus + or – and Windows Kew Esc to close
  • Start early if you are Hanging Out on a schedule
  • Close All Tabs Chrome extension

Picks of the week:

Of interest:

Registration is officially open for summer FinalWeb training with Martin and Sallie at the Center for Mission and Ministry. Learn more and sign up at bit.ly/fwtraininginfo.

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 331 – Martin flies solo and shares secrets for building web apps. (Broadcast date – 03/04/14)

Music download:

This week only, download a free music single from WELS musician and staff minister Benhur Khamrang (Reverbnation) – Brothers, Sisters, Let Us Gladly

Get involved:

318 – Language Arts

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Technology in education isn’t limited to math and science. Today we hear from Gail Potratz with many ideas for integrating technology into the Language Arts classroom. Manitowoc LHS Tech Director, Ryan Rathje, also chats with Sallie and Martin about edtech topics. Turn it up teachers, and let the WELSTech goodness flow!

The discussion:

Language Arts goes techie – Gail Potratz, our semi-regular classroom technology correspondent from Emmanuel in New London, MN, joins Martin and Sallie this week to share ideas for technology integration in the Language Art classroom.

The interview:

(28:36) Technology for new teachers (and seasoned veterans as well) – Ryan Rathje, Technology Director at Manitowoc Lutheran High School, shares highlights from his recent MLC Convocation presentation to education majors titled “Technology: Harder and Easier Than It Looks”.

Ministry resources:

  • (42:38) Paul Workentine shared links to Bible history sites Ferrell’s Travel Blog and BiblePlaces.com
  • Share a helpful resource that makes a difference in your ministry, and you will ll be entered to win an Apple TV. Deadline for entry is May 31, 2014.

Listener reviews:

  • (44:14) Ryan Rosenthal from Faith in Fond du Lac, WI reviews the Ziggi HD USB Document Camera
  • Share your review of software, hardware or web sites which assist with your personal or professional ministry efforts, and you will be entered to win a Nexus 7 tablet. Deadline for entry is May 31, 2014.

Tech tips:

Picks of the week:

Of interest:

(1:06:30) Upcoming streamed Christmas concerts:

  • Via WELS Streams –
    • Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary – December 8 at 3:00 pm
    • Koine – December 19 at 7:00 pm
  • Via MLC TV
    • Martin Luther College – December 7 at 7:30 pm & December 8 at 4:00 pm

Coming up on WELSTech:

(1:07:41) Episode 319 – Tune in for chapter 6 of our current book discussion of Nicholas Carr’s The Shallows as well as the inside scoop on the new edition of HymnSoft with Carl Nolte and Michael Schultz. (Release date – 12/10/13)

Music download:

(1:09:05) Kick off your Advent with a free music download from WELS pianist Dawn Michelle Williams (www.dawnmichellewilliams.com | Twitter | Facebook) – Carol of the Bells

Get involved:

308 – Classroom Chrome

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This week’s WELSTech features our monthly education-focused discussion as we hear from guest host Gail Potratz about the joys and some challenges of administering and implementing Chromebooks. Gail has unique insight as she has entered her second year of administering Chromebooks on her campus.

The discussion:

A veteran with Chromebooks – Martin and Sallie welcome back our semi-regular classroom technology correspondent, Gail Potratz, from Emanuel in New London, WI, and she shares her experience with Google Chromebooks year-2 implementation. Listen for tricks that help teachers share documents with students and comment in-line on student’s work. Consistency is key!

Ministry Resources:

(25:22) Heritage and Hope: Celebrating 150 Years at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary

Tech tips:

Picks of the week:

Of interest:

(45:45) Software Engineer/Programmer position at the Center for Mission and Ministry (CMM)

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(59:25) Episode 309 – Next week join Martin and Sallie as we tour the many features of the WELS Mobile App. (Release date – 10/01/13)

The featured artist:

(1:00:05) We close today’s WELSTech with the music of Joey Schumann and the Lutheran Ceili Orchestra (JoeySchumann.com | Joey on Facebook) – A Mighty Fortress

Get involved:

286 – Learning To Look Back

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On this edition of WELSTech, we take a look back at some tech achievements in the 2012-13 school year, and we learn about a new resource web site for Lutheran teachers and administrators. Listen for a special discount on the upcoming Google Education Summit and a recap of the recent crowd-writing event sponsored by the Christ In Media Institute.

The discussion:

Year End Assessment – Gail Potratz, one of our semi-regular classroom technology correspondents from Emanuel in New London, WI shares highlights of the 2012-13 school year in terms of tech accomplishments. It’s no surprise that she has good things to say about her Google Apps and Chromebooks pilot program that was implemented this year. She also shares a flipped classroom method using the Explain everything iPad app which she says has become the standard production method in her school.

  • Google Education Summit will take place June 16-21 at Wisconsin Lutheran College
    • Use promo code “WELSTech” and receive a $200 discount on your registration!

The interview:

(23:39) Lutheran Schools Resources – Director of Lutheran Schools, Greg Schmill, and teacher Matt Groth from St. Paul’s in Saginaw, MI debut the recently redesigned Lutheran Schools web site which is loaded with great resources to address all types of teacher and administrator needs. The site also supports the ability for users to share files with others, so look for the site to grow as more WELS teachers begin to use it and share their own resources.

Picks of the week:

Of interest:

(52:47) Christ In Media Institute (CIMI) sponsored a crowd-writing event on April 29 to kick off the Bethany Lutheran College Media Week events. WELSTech friend, Jas Lonnquist, moderated the discussion. The Christian sci-fi premise was released in advance of the event and the discussion continues on the CIMI forums. You can still be part of the development of a future TV or Web broadcast.

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(1:01:22) Episode 287 – Confirmation season is upon us so our WELSTech discussion turns to keeping teens connected to God’s Word, including ways technology can help. Staff minister Brandon Steenbock joins Martin and Sallie to share his experience. (Release date – 05/07/13)

The featured artist:

(1:02:10) We close the podcast with the music of Stephen Bautista (www.stephenbautistamusic.com or stephenbautista on Twitter) – Flowers Are Dancing

Get involved:

277 – You’re Gonna Flip!

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This week we turn WELSTech upside down as we discuss the growing “flipped classroom” trend with our semi-regular classroom technology correspondent, Gail Potratz.

The discussion:

Flipped Classrooms – The idea of providing instructional resources for students to consume at their own pace outside of the classroom and then dedicating classroom time to exploration and individual assistance on a topic is the concept behind “flipping” your classroom. Gail Potratz, Technology Coordinator at Emanuel in New London, WI, joins Martin and Sallie to discuss the basics for flipping lessons, tools to use and some early feedback on outcomes of this technique.

Ministry resources:

(23:47) WordPress for Classrooms

Picks of the week:

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(44:05) Episode 278 – Pastor Rob Guenther will join Martin and Sallie from Kenai, AK next week and share his tech-in-ministry success stories including his recent self-publishing efforts. (Release date – 03/05/13)

The featured artist:

(44:22) Another new WELS recording artist joins the WELSTech lineup today as we share the music of Michael Armstrong (pinemountainmusic.com) – Overwhelmed

Get involved:

264 – iPads in Education

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This week’s classroom technology WELSTech Podcast is all about iPads. Gail Potratz shares her insights, we interview Jon Beilke and Nate Hochmuth from Salem in Greenfield, MN about their very recent implementation of iPads, and we even have iPad “Picks of the Week.”

The discussion:

The other side – On past education focused podcasts, we’ve spent a lot of time talking about Chromebooks in the classroom. Today Martin, Sallie and our semi-regular classroom technology correspondent Gail Potratz from Emanuel in New London, WI explore the ins and outs of 1:1 iPads in the classroom. Gail also shares some of the experiences of Kathy Brandt who uses iPads in her 3rd and 4th grade classroom at Pilgrim in Menomonee Falls, WI.

The interview:

(18:26) iPads in WELS Education – Teacher Nate Hochmuth and Principal Jon Beilke from Salem in Greenfield, MN share their very new experience of 1:1 iPads in the 7th and 8th grade classroom.

Picks of the week:

WELS.net Feature:

(50:15) Check out the improved WELS Mobile beta site at m.wels.net.

Of interest:

(53:25) View the live stream of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary’s “Sing a Song of Christmas” concert on December 9th at 3:00 or 7:00 p.m..

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(1:06:00) Episode 265 – Next week we wrap up our 7 Best series with a countdown of the 7 Best Mobile Computing Tips. Send us your favorites for the list by Sunday.  (Release date – 12/04/12)

The featured artist:

(1:07:15) We  close the podcast with the music of Michael Schroeder (www.michaelschroeder.com and on Facebook) – The Reason For The Season

Get involved:

255 – Are Chromebooks In Your Future?

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WELSTech’s monthly education episode is back, featuring our periodic co-host Gail Potratz as well as an interview of Chad Kafka. The edtech flavor of the day is Google as we talk about Chromebooks and Google Apps in middle school settings.  We’re also looking for beta testers of the new WELS Mobile app. Cap off the WELSTech goodness with instructions for creating your very own digital signage page!

The discussion:

Back to School with Gail – Martin and Sallie are joined once again by Gail Potratz, Tech Coordinator at Emanuel in New London, WI and WELSTech’s semi-regular classroom technology correspondent, as we discuss the in’s and out’s of Gail’s recent Chromebook implementation in Emanuel’s 7th grade. Start up speed, battery life and a price point that can’t be beat seem to be reasons to give the Chromebook a serious look if you are considering a 1:1 initiative in your school.

The interview:

(23:50) There’s an app for that – Chad Kafka (www.chadkafka.com), Technology Coach in the Franklin, WI public school district and Google Certified Teacher, talks with Martin and Sallie about his school district adoption of Google Apps, including success stories and tips for making the most of the solution.

Ministry resources:

(44:44) Be a beta tester of the new WELS Mobile app!  Surf over to m.wels.net in your smartphone or tablet web browser, and kick the tires.  E-mail Martin your feedback.

Picks of the week:

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(1:12:06) Episode 256 – We’re back with our latest 7 Best countdown, this time of Member, Prospect & Student Management Tools including software, tools, and tips for managing data in the church and school office. (Release date – 10/02/12)

The featured artist:

(1:13:03) This week we close with the instrumental music of flutist Jeannine Dennis – Celebration Medley

Get involved:

233 – Digital Storytelling

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This week on the WELSTech Podcast we define Digital Storytelling in education and share tools and examples of this creative expression format.

The discussion:

Tell me a story – Gail Potratz, WELSTech’s semi-regular classroom technology correspondent from Emanuel in New London, WI, joins Martin and Sallie and the discussion focus is digital storytelling including its definition and the many resources available to help students create in this popular format.

Ministry resources:

(25:20) Should Your Church Have a Blog

Picks of the week:

Of interest:

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(47:24) Episode 234 – Just in time for the many graduation and summer vacation photos opportunities, Martin and Sallie countdown the 7 Best Photo Organizing and Editing Tools.  (Release date – 05/02/12)

The featured artist:

(49:01) We close the podcast with the instrumental music of In His Service (www.adagioconcepts.com) – Send Me from their CD titled “In His Time”

Get involved:

225 – Textbooks and Technologies

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It’s education week on the WELSTech Podcast, and Gail Potratz joins the discussion on the future of textbooks.

The discussion:

Is the textbook dead? – Teacher and technology coordinator Gail Potratz from Emanuel in New London, WI is back to talk with Martin and Sallie about the variety of options for one to one computing – from laptops and netbooks to Chromebooks and iPads – and the variety of electronic textbook options available.

Ministry resources:

(20:12) Bible Audio Pronunciation – (iOS app | Lite (Free) app | Overview Video)

Picks of the week:

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(40:00) Episode 226 – Tune in next week for more edtech goodies as Martin and Sallie count down the 7 Best Teacher Resource Sites. (Release date – 03/07/12)

The featured artist:

(41:07) This week we close with the music of Crosswalk Lutheran Ministries – You Are My World

Get involved:

212 – Schoology

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It’s education technology week on the WELSTech Podcast as Martin and Sallie welcome back Gail Potratz and discussion Schoology.

The discussion:

Classroom Meets Facebook – Gail Potratz, Technology Director at Emanuel in New London, WI, joins Martin and Sallie for a discussion of Schoology, the web-based course management system that looks and feels a lot like Facebook but has classroom specific privacy with student, teacher and parent access.

The interview:

(14:53) The Voice of Experience – Gail talks with Beth Sanders (MsSandersTHS on Twitter) from Birmingham, AL about her use of Schoology in her 1:1 Social Studies high school classrooms.

News in tech:

(42:10) Black Friday & Cyber Monday

Picks of the week:

WELS.net feature:

(51:33) Streams Seasonal Radio

Of interest:

(52:50) Mark your calendars for streaming Christmas concerts

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(57:04) Episode 213 – Jason Jaspersen shares his web site dedicated to liturgical art resources, and Martin and Sallie revisit the weekly blogging challenge. (Release date – 12/07/11)

The featured artist:

(58:14) We close the podcast with the music of Revelation, a music ministry of Wisconsin Lutheran College (www.revelationwlc.com) – A Voice Cries Out from the CD titled “Led By The Light”

Get involved: