Tag Archive for: google

343 – Sunny Day for Google Play

This week on WELSTech we welcome sunshine in the form of semi-regular classroom technology correspondent Jason Schmidt who shares his knowledge of Google Play for Education and Google tablet management. We also hit the jackpot in terms of listener reviews and share several solutions to assist with learning a new language.

The interview and discussion:

Jason "Sunshine" SchmidtManaging Google Tablets – Martin and Sallie are joined by WELSTech edtech guest host, Jason Schmidt (a.k.a. Mr. Sunshine), Technology Coordinator for Bennington ISD. Jason gives us a behind the scenes tour of the Google Play for Education store and answers questions from viewers about managing Google tablets through the Google Apps for Education administration panel.

Listener reviews:

  • Staying Fit With Tech by Tim Gielbelhaus
  • Evernote for Ministry by Pastor Emile Burgess
  • Lubuntu by Jimmy Pautz
  • Share a helpful resource that makes a difference in your ministry, and you will be entered to win a Nexus 7. Deadline for entry is May 31, 2014.

Tech tips:

Picks of the week:

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 344 – WELSTech goes on the road to Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School in Jackson, WI as Martin and Sallie bring you live coverage of the Tech & Teach event. (Broadcast date – 06/03/14)

Featured video:

From the WELS Musicians Playlist, here is WELS artist Michael Schroeder singing Paradise

 

Get involved:

336 – Building Better Forms

On this week’s WELSTech we welcome someone new – Grandpa Martin! The discussion takes a deep dive into Google Forms for gathering data for churches and schools. We share our first ever video listener review and announce a “Tech and Teach” event coming up soon on the WELSTech event calendar.

The discussion:

Gathering information – Martin and Sallie demonstrate the capabilities of Google Forms (plus discuss various Forms add-ons and scripts), and share examples of several forms for churches and schools.

Listener reviews:

  • Jason Winget, member of Faith in River Falls, WI reviews Create.ly
  • 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:

  • Pick your ecosystem carefully
  • Clean your screen

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, July 29 – August 1. Learn more and sign up at bit.ly/fwtraininginfo.
  • Join Martin and Sallie on June 3 at Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School for the “Tech and Teach” teacher in-service event

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 337 – Martin and Sallie square off in a DIY (Do-It-Yourself) challenge. Who can build the best smart phone stand? Plus Laura Harstad from Kingdom Workers will share her experience with coordinating mission volunteer opportunities. (Broadcast date – 04/15/14)

Get involved:

308 – Classroom Chrome

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:

295 – I Came, I Saw, I Googled

On this week’s WELSTech Podcast we wrap up our coverage of the recent Google Education Summit, sharing more discussion with conference attendees as well as some tips from the “rock star” presenters who graced the stage.

The discussion:

More Gooogling Out – Part 2 of Martin and Sallie’s coverage of Google Education Summit, recorded at Discovery World in Milwaukee, includes interviews with attendees and shout outs from conference presenters with some of their favorite tips. Also check out photos from the Summit posted in the WELSTech Flickr group pool.

Coming up on WELSTech:

(24:48) Episode 296 – We are back in the “Church and School Website Content” summer series swing next week. Join Martin and Sallie for a discussion of the next chapter in our developing eBook on the About & What to Expect sections of your site. (Release date – 07/02/13)

Get involved:

294 – Google Summit: Special Edition

On this special episode of WELSTech, Martin and Sallie get the inside scoop on what’s happening at this week’s Google Education Summit as they talk with educators in attendance about the innovations that Google Apps for Education is bringing to the classroom.

The discussion:

Gooogling Out – Martin and Sallie are in the same place and even sharing the same webcam this week as we bring you a special episode – on site at Discovery World, Milwaukee for the Google Education Summit field trip. The excitement is palatable among the 90 educators in attendance and we try to capture some of that to share with you. On today’s show you’ll hear from …

Coming up on WELSTech:

(17:27) Episode 295 – Don’t miss the 2nd half of our special coverage, WELSTech “Live from Google Summit”. We chat with more conference attendees and hear from some of the presenters as well. (Release date – 06/25/13)

Get involved:

286 – Learning To Look Back

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:

232 – WELSTech Hangout

Experience something different this week on the WELSTech Podcast, our first ever live show using Google Hangouts.

The discussion:

Kicking the tires – As promised, this week’s podcast was kicked off in a Google Hangout, and we have video of the experience to share.  Martin and Sallie were joined by listeners Perry Lund, Gail Potratz and Jason Schmidt as we tried out the platform, experiencing video chat, screen sharing, apps and more (hmmm … pirate Jason??). The audio of the session is integrated into this week’s podcast, but if you want to see the Hangout fun and not just listen, check out the archived video posted below.

 

Picks of the week:

The interview:

(31:01) Web sites done right – Mark and Lesley Bergemann, husband and wife webmasters at Good Shepherd’s in West Allis, WI, talk with Martin and Sallie about the communication strategy behind their church web site and updates they regularly make to support that strategy and track its effectiveness.

Of interest:

(52:06) Faith Building 2012 Conference – April 27th in Kimberly, WI

7 Best:

(54:18) On the May 2nd episode of WELSTech we’ll countdown our next 7 Best list, and listeners can be part of the list creation.  Simply let us know your favorite

Photo Organizing and Editing Tools

You can pin an image and link on the WELSTech Pinterest board, tweet us using #WELSTech, write on our Facebook or Google+ wall, leave a voicemail (405-FOR-WELS), send an e-mail, leave a comment on the WELSTech site, mail it in on a carrier pigeon or whatever method you want to use.  Just let us know what you think is best!

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(1:01:47) Episode 233 – After seeing Gail in our hangout this week, Martin and Sallie are happy to welcome her back again next week as our semi-regular classroom technology correspondent to discuss digital story telling. (Release date – 04/25/12)

The featured artist:

(1:02:18) We close the podcast with the music of instrumentalist Joey Schumann (JoeySchumann.com | Joey on Facebook) – Americana Medley from his CD with the same title

Get involved:

220 – Google: Friend or Foe?

It’s education week on the WELSTech Podcast as we take a deep dive into Google Apps for the classroom.

The interview:

(2:57) Transforming the classroom – Wisconsin Lutheran College’s Director of Digital Education, Joe Du Fore, talks with Martin and Sallie about this summer’s Google Education Summit where educators can earn 3 hours of graduate credit, get a Google Chromebook, and leave the event prepared to set up, administer and effectively use Google Apps in their schools.

The discussion:

(19:00) Using Google Apps – Jason Schmidt (jasonschmidt123 on Twitter) from Bennington Public Schools returns to his semi-regular technology correspondent role to share with Martin and Sallie his Google Apps experience including uses for faculty planning, student Google Sites and collaborative assignments.

News in tech:

Picks of the week:

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 221 – We launch a new segment on next week’s WELSTech … our first ever 7 Best list!  We’ll discuss our favorite Digital Bible Study Tools and be joined by Pastor Stephen Daley for the pastor’s perspective on digital Bible study. (Release date – 02/01/12)

The featured artist:

(54:20) We close the podcast with the music of Cross to Glory – You Know I Know from their CD titled “Life’s Song”

Get involved:

208 – What Will Google Change Next?

This week on the WELSTech Podcast shut-in ministry using technology is the discussion topic and we hear about Nebraska Lutheran High School’s firewall software experience.

The discussion:

Tech in shut-in ministry – Martin and Sallie explore ways that technology can assist and enhance ministry to members who are home bound and unable to attend traditional church services.  Listen for discussion of recorded worship, Bible class and more plus ideas for sharing photos and tips for visitation tracking and mileage calculations.

The interview:

(16:24) Safe Computing – We’ve got twice the brainpower behind this school network security discussion as both Greg Boggs, Owner of Quality Communications, and Joshua Johnson, Nebraska Lutheran High School Math Teacher and Technology Director, join Martin and Sallie to talk about SmoothWall, a firewall and filtering solution recently added to the ShopWELS program.

News in tech:

(37:13) Smaller, cheaper tablets could become a big deal

Picks of the week:

Of interest:

(46:53) Watch live video streaming of the WELS National Choral Festival on MLC TV

  • Pops concert – Friday, November 11 at 7:00 p.m.
  • Sacred concert – Sunday, November 13 at 2:00 p.m.

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(1:08:30) Episode 209 – The Church of Facebook author, Jesse Rice, joins Martin and Sallie to talk about the latest WELSTech book selection. (Release date – 11/09/11)

The featured artist:

(1:09:03) This week we close with the instrumental music of flutist Jeannine Dennis – Mary Did You Know? from her CD titled ”O Holy Night”

Get involved:

207 – Chromebooks

This week on the WELSTech Podcast cloud-based classroom computing with Chromebooks is the discussion topic as Martin takes a field trip to Grace in Oshkosh to observe Chromebooks in action.

The discussion:

To the cloud – With much anticipation, Martin and Sallie welcome our new semi-regular classroom technology correspondent, Jason Schmidt, who will be joining WELSTech on an alternating basis for our end-of-month classroom technology focused podcasts.  Gail Potratz will be back next month!  Jason adds his insight to today’s cloud-based computing discussion of Google Chromebooks and 1-to-1 teaching initiatives.

The interview:

(21:39) Chromebooks live – Principal Peter Iles from Grace in Oshkosh, WI talks with Martin about their recent implementation of Chromebooks in his 7th and 8th grade classroom.  Martin also blogged about his visit to Peter’s classroom.

Something extra from Jason:

(43:21) iPads in Preschool

Picks of the week:

Ministry resources:

Community feedback:

Coming up on WELSTech:

(1:09:20) Episode 208 – Using technology to assist with ministry to shut-ins is the discussion topic on next week’s podcast.  We’ll also talk with folks from Nebraska Lutheran High School about their use of SmoothWall, a new ShopWELS product. (Release date – 11/02/11)

The featured artist:

(1:10:29) This week we close with the music of Crosswalk Lutheran Ministries – Dive Into God’s Word from their CD titled ”Crosswalk Lutheran Ministries”

Get involved: