Tag Archive for: mobile

688 – Tech-Enhanced Ministry: Ecosystems

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The Tech-Enhanced Ministry summer series on WELSTech draws to a close this week with a discussion of the good and the bad of choosing to live in a particular vendor’s space, be it Google or Apple or Microsoft. There are also new options for creating QR codes and reasons to use them in ministry. Video messages and great Facebook groups round out this week’s episode.

 

The discussion

Tech Ecosystems – Wrapping up the summer series on Tech-Enhanced Ministry, Martin and Sallie discuss the advantages and disadvantages of going “all in” with one of several tech ecosystems, including Apple, Microsoft, and Google.

Picks of the week

Community news & feedback

Facebook groups for the win!

Coming up next on WELSTech

Martin and Sallie talk interactive displays with Chris Hunt from BDJ Tech.

Get involved

687 – Tech-Enhanced Ministry: Mobile

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This week’s WELSTech discussion is all about Mobile and the apps that support ministry, the latest installment of our Tech-Enhanced Ministry series. We also explore some lesser-known iPhone settings, a slick power strip replacement, and a collection of education app tutorial links.

 

The discussion

Mobile – The convenience, versatility, and plethora of ever improving applications available on mobile devices, both phones and tablets, make them an obvious choice for many day-to-day ministry-related activities. Martin and Sallie share ministry ideas for mobile Bible-related apps, productivity tools, curriculum resources, photos, podcasts, security apps, social media, and communication tools.

Picks of the week

Community news & feedback

Jam packed spreadsheets of tutorial links for Google apps and other education centric apps

Coming up next on WELSTech

The Tech-Enhanced Ministry series wraps up with a discussion of the Google Ecosystem.

Get involved

614 – Glide

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On WELSTech this week we focus on mobile app creation using Glide. It’s ease of use, versatility, and price tag (free!!) make it a great candidate for building apps for ministry. We’ll hear from two men who are using Glide in the high school setting. Spark your own app development effort with the resources and ideas from this week’s episode.

The discussion & interview:

Go mobile – Martin and Sallie discuss the features of Glide App, a free tool for developing mobile apps driven by data in Google Sheets. Teachers Carl Hochmuth from Luther Preparatory School in Watertown, WI and Jonathan Witte from Luther High School in Onalaska, WI share their experience using Glide apps in their ministry settings.

Glide Apps Examples

  • WELS EdTechLead
    • Copy the EdTechLead Google Sheet to get started with Glide
  • Minnesota District Lutheran Teacher’s Conference
  • Luther Prep
  • My Amazing Llama App

News in tech:

WELS now:

Picks of the week:

Ministry resource:

Gospel Outreach With Media – Fall 2019 Online Conference

Community feedback:

Featured video:

Check out the latest updates to Glide Apps with this Data Editing playlist of video tutorials.

Next time:

We talk edtech with Jason Schmidt!

Get involved:

578 – Apps Worth Your Money

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Buckle up for a link-palooza of paid mobile apps on WELSTech this week! Plus, there’s lots of news in tech, streaming Christmas concerts, an interesting “children in worship” article series, and a WELSTech-er in video as well.

The discussion:

The survey says – Martin and Sallie, along with several members of the WELSTech Community, share their favorite paid mobile apps.

  • Camera and Image Editing
    • Affinity Photo – iOS
    • Halide Camera – iOS
    • Camera+ 2 – iOS
    • Ripl Pro – Android | iOS
    • Rhonna Designs – Android | iOS
    • Word Swag Pro – Android | iOS
    • PicCollage – Android | iOS
  • Devotional
    • Meditations – iOS
  • Storage
  • Podcasts
  • Journaling, Note Taking, and Organization
  • Password Management
  • Travel
  • News
    • Apollo for Reddit – iOS
  • Utilities and Office Suite
  • Education
    • Complete Anatomy – Android | iOS
    • Chem Pro – iOS
    • Do Ink – iOS
    • Felt Board – Android | iOS
    • Ready to Print – Android | iOS
    • The Monster at the End of this Book – Android | iOS
  • Music
    • ClearTune – Android | iOS
  • Fun
    • Fireproof Games (The Room) – Android | iOS
    • Minecraft Pocket Edition (PE) – Android | iOS

News in tech:

WELS now:

Live streaming Christmas concerts

Picks of the week:

Ministry resource:

What do you do with children in worship? – a new Worship the Lord series authored by Pastor Phil Huebner

Community feedback:

Jitsi.org – free, open-source video conferencing

Featured video:

Watch the Heart to heart interview of WELSTech-er Pastor Rob Guenter and his son Josiah on the topic of Raising Godly Men.

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 579 – Tune in for ideas to share the Christmas joy.  Release date: Wednesday, December 12.

Get involved:

546 – Awesome Apps: Education

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We wrap up “Awesome Apps” month on WELSTech with a look at the edtech space and insights from guest co-host Rachel Feld. Microsoft makes the news, we share a free eBook to help churches communicate on Instagram, and Martin reveals a great way to improve your Windows 10 knowledge for free.

The discussion:

Education apps- Our traditional end-of-month edtech focus brings Prof. Rachel Feld from Martin Luther College into the co-host chair as we explore favorite mobile apps for education.

News in tech:

OneNote Desktop 2016 no longer in active development

WELS now:

Picks of the week:

Ministry resources:

Check out the Everyone Can Create curriculum from Apple

Community feedback:

Microsoft Teams

Featured video:

Learn how to make anything talk with ChatterPix by Duck Duck Moose.

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 547 – Join us to celebrate #mlcday18 WELSTech-style. Release date: Wednesday, May 2.

Get involved:

545 – Awesome Apps: Communication

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The WELSTech April series called “Awesome Apps” continues as Martin and Sallie share some of their favorite smart device communication tools for texting, emailing, video conferencing and more. Sallie has to figure out how to say the name of her new car but in the process found a great car buying app, and Martin, tuning in from a conference in Salt Lake City, found the benefits of handwriting notes…digitally.

The interview:

Care giving tech – Dan Stelljes is the Product Development Lead for First Layer Health, a software development company owned by WELS members which focuses on making social and healthcare communication easier for older people. He shares details of their newest product, TheirCare, which delivers video calls, messages, and more to certain internet-connected televisions. One of the uses of the tool is for church shut-in ministry. Contact Dan if you’d like to pilot a program in your congregation.

The discussion:

Communication apps – Reaching out to touch someone via a plain old phone call, is so yesterday. Martin and Sallie discuss their favorite smartphone apps for many forms of communication.

News in tech:

Google shutters it’s goo.gl URL shortening service

Picks of the week:

Ministry resources:

Check out Faithlife’s new Ministry Team magazine

Community feedback:

The Ultimate Guide for Using Trello at Home

Featured video:

What made us laugh in Star Trek IV (circa 1986) is turning into our reality in 2018 – voice controlled devices. Enjoy this throwback to Mr.Scott (a.k.a. The Miracle Worker) communicating with a computer.

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 546 – Prof. Rachel Feld co-hosts, and the discussion centers around awesome apps for the classroom. Release date: Wednesday, April 25.

Get involved:

544 – Awesome Apps: Utilities

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The WELSTech month of “Awesome Apps” continues with a rundown of Martin and Sallie’s go-to mobile utilities! From weather to shopping to travel, there’s an app for that. Plus, we share news of a new program to address child abuse and neglect as well as a new online Bible study for women. And the community feedback bag holds lots of interesting tech in ministry goodies as well!

The discussion:

Utilities – We call those devices in our pockets “phones,” but that’s probably the understatement of the century. They have the ability to do so much more that connect to others for a voice conversation. This week Martin and Sallie focus on the plethora of utility apps that can enhance your ministry efforts, productivity, pocketbook, and life, in general.

News in tech:

WELS now:

  • Standing up for Children: A Christian Response to Child Abuse and Neglect
  • WELS Education, Technology, and Leadership Summit 2019 Call for Presenters – Deadline is May 31, 2018

Picks of the week:

Ministry resources:

WELS Women online Bible study

Community feedback:

Featured video:

If Sallie’s pick of the week intrigues you, learn more about Habitica and Task Management in this week’s featured video.

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 545 – Next week Martin and Sallie talk awesome communication apps . Release date: Wednesday, April 18.

Get involved:

543 – Awesome Apps: Photos

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April is “Awesome Apps” month on WELSTech as Martin and Sallie share some of their favorite apps that can provide a boost to your productivity, ministry activities or just plain enjoyment of your smart devices. In this episode the “focus” is on photo apps including cameras, photo management, editing and sharing. Don’t be satisfied with just “taking pictures.” Up your game with these awesome apps!

The discussion:

Photo apps – The best camera is the one you have with you! And these days, your handy smartphone camera offers quality and features which result in stunning photos. Martin and Sallie share their favorite apps to extend your smartphone camera capabilities, including capturing, editing and sharing.

News in tech:

WELS now:

Picks of the week:

Ministry resources:

Untangling Audio Cable Confusion from Church Tech Today

Featured video:

Watch President Schroeder’s 2018 Easter Message.

Coming up on WELSTech:

Episode 544 – Awesome Apps month continues with a deep dive into a variety of mobile app utilities. Release date: Wednesday, April 11.

Get involved:

Ripl – A Marketing Team in Your Pocket

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Teaching Digital Citizenship

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Google recently announced a free online resource geared toward middle- to upper-elementary aged children called Be Internet Awesome. The online game, Interland, as well as supporting curriculum resources, are intended to teach kids to be smart, alert, strong, kind, and brave online.

To make the most of the Internet, kids need to be prepared to make smart decisions. Be Internet Awesome teaches kids the fundamentals of digital citizenship and safety so they can explore the online world with confidence.

Application/audience

The resources available on the Be Internet Awesome are suitable for use in both the elementary classroom as well as at home. Teachers may want to spend some of their summer prep time reviewing the Be Internet Awesome Curriculum which has been given the ISTE Seal of Alignment. The materials center around five fundamental topics:

  • Share with Care (Be Internet Smart)
  • Don’t Fall for Fake (Be Internet Alert)
  • Secure Your Secrets (Be Internet Strong)
  • It’s Cool to Be Kind (Be Internet Kind)
  • When in Doubt, Talk It Out (Be Internet Brave)

Additional resources for schools allow easy integration of Interland on school Chromebooks as well as in Google Classroom. There are posters and certificates and badges available as well.

Parents may want to download the Be Internet Awesome Pledge and make a family commitment to practicing safe digital citizenship.

Related resources

Check out these short video introductions to Be Internet Awesome and Interlands.

Overview

Interland Tour

See All Ministry Resources