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This week the WELSTech podcast equips you with tools for online collaborative mind mapping and ideas for ministry applications.

Listen now or download Episode 088 (35:41)

The discussion:

Online Mind Mapping - A new batch of Web 2.0 online mind mapping tools prompted this updated podcast.  Martin and Sallie have talked mind mapping in the past, but today’s show expounds on the ministry applications of mind mapping, particularly in terms of collaboration with these new tools.

• www.mindjet.com
• www.mindmeister.com
• www.mindomo.com
• www.bubbl.us
• www.slatebox.com
• www.thinkature.com
• www.vyew.com
• www.wikkawiki.org – Collaborate on FreeMind files
• Wikipedia listing of Mind Mapping software
• Web-based Mind Mapping sites from Mind Map Search

Picks of the week:

• (17:56) Google Docs Templates
• Picasa

WELS.net feature:

• (25:25) The virtual Synod Convention – WELS.net/convention

Community feedback:

• (26:27) John Shoosmith from Redeemer in Yakima, WA shared ministry tech ideas and questions
  • Use LibriVox.org to record doctrinal books and sermons which are in the public domain
  • Looking for sources of royalty free audio – SoundSnap.com and FreeSound.org 

Coming up on WELSTech:

(31:08) The WELSTech double-feature next week includes

• Episode 089 – Creating e-News with MailChimp is the topic of the next Bonus WELSTech Goodness (BWTG) episode. (Release date 08/03/09)
• Episode 090 – Gail Potratz joins us with a recap from the Milwaukee Digital Media Conference (#mdmc09 on Twitter). (Release date 08/05/09)

The featured artist:

(32:32) This week we close with the music of WELS praise band, Koine (www.koinemusic.com) - From All That Dwells Below the Skies from their debut CD titled ”Koine”

Get involved:

• Add a comment below
• Send us an e-mail welstech@wels.net
• 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     

This week on the BWTG “how-to” WELSTech podcast we share steps for implementing a productivity system to maintain an empty inbox.

Listen now or download Episode 087 (17:10)

The discussion:

Emptying Your Inbox - The topic for today’s BWTG (Bonus WELSTech Goodness) episode is one that affects everyone in the digital age, and while it is simply stated as “Emptying Your Inbox” it can be a complex and challenging task.  Listen as Martin shares tips from his Personal Productivity seminar on how to enhance communication, reduce stress and achieve “Mind Like Water” via an empty inbox.

• Emptying Your Inbox on the WELSTech wiki

Get involved:

• Add a comment below
• Send us an e-mail welstech@wels.net
• 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
             

This week on the WELSTech podcast the discussion centers on the technology behind this year’s Synod Convention.

Listen now or download Episode 086 (55:46)

The discussion:

Pack your bags - If you can’t be in Saginaw, MI next week for WELS 2009 Convention, you can enjoy the next best thing, a virtual convention experience complete with live video and audio streams, images, blogs, online resolutions, daily news and more.  Martin and Sallie discuss the technology of convention and how your congregation and school might capitalize on some of the same “tech”niques.

• WELS.net/convention

New Technology Showcase:

• (23:57) Microsoft Office 2010

Picks of the week:

• (28:20) Follow Google on Twitter
• Google Voice

Community feedback:

• (40:23) Discussion around our recent BWTG episode on Facebook Pages continues:
  • Pastor Jeremiah Gumm of Cross of Christ in Liverpool, NY  shared a link to their new Facebook page
  • Nancy Thompson from Victory of the Lamb in Franklin, WI shared more details about their use of ChurchCommunityBuilder.com.
  • Perry Lund of Grace in Oskaloosa, IA suggested a future podcast discussion topic around preparing teachers to teach tech savvy kids
  • WELTech fans on Facebook are 71% male and 59% fall between the ages of 35 and 54. Help us reach 100 fans (go girls)!
• On our Facebook group page we heard from Dave Scharrer of St. John’s in Hemlock, MI, including a request for links to Sallie’s summer education sites.
  • Tuesday Tech Time – Adult Computer Education 
  • WhizKidz Summer Computer Camp
• WELSTech listserve discussion topics include
  • Open source grading software
  • Classroom collaboration
• Jason Schmidt from Gethsemane in Omaha, NE tweeted a link to Epson’s “Brighter Futures” projector, printer and scanner deals for school
• Marilyn Sherod shared a link to closed caption sermons from Zion in Torrance, CA – hosted on dotsub.com
  • Check out our past WELSTech interview with John Shoosmith for tips to get started creating closed captioning videos

Coming up on WELSTech:

(50:25) WELSTech double-duty continues next week

• Episode 087 - Increase your productivity and communication by emptying your inbox, the topic of the next Bonus WELSTech Goodness (BWTG) episode. (Release date 07/27/09)
• Episode 088 – Get things done with a new crop of Web 2.0 mind mapping and collaboration tools. (Release date 07/29/09)

The featured artist:

(52:20) This week we close with the beautiful piano music of Dawn Gehlhar - All Through the Night from her CD titled ”Inspirations”

Get involved:

• Add a comment below
• Send us an e-mail welstech@wels.net
• 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
         

On this mini ”how-to” WELSTech episode learn three easy steps for sharing links on your web site via a custom RSS feed from Delicious.

Listen now or download Episode 085 (9:32)

The discussion:

Custom RSS Feeds - If you’ve ever surfed to a web page with news or information which would be perfect for sharing on your church or school web site, then you’ll appreciate today’s BWTG episode where Martin and Sallie discuss an easy solution for adding those desired links to your site using some RSS magic.  Tune in for some delicious ”Bonus WELSTech Goodness”!

• Custom RSS Feeds on the WELSTech wiki - Get instructions and video tutorials on creating a custom RSS feed using Delicious.com

Get involved:

• Add a comment below
• Send us an e-mail welstech@wels.net
• 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

This week the WELSTech podcast takes a look back at the recent youth rally and the lessons we can learn about technology in youth ministry.

Listen now or download Episode 084 (53:35)

The discussion:

Reaching youth with technology  – Joining Martin and Sallie for a recap of the WELS International Youth Rally are Dr. Joel Nelson and Jeremy Bakken from the Youth Discipleship office.  From registration through MySpace to 41 multi-media presentations, the Youth Rally was wired to reach teens in their digital comfort zone.  Joel and Jeremy share tips and resources for youth leaders who are considering technology tools for outreach to teens.

• WELSYouthRally.net
• Everyday video devotion series
• Walk in My World video devotion series
• Youth Rally feature on Des Moines TV news
• Living Bold Q&A

New Technology Showcase:

• (29:30) Google Chrome OS announcement
• Microsoft to announce Office online

Picks of the week:

• (27:13) SMART Board resources
  • SMART Board Games from PBS Kids
  • Teacher Utilities from Harvey’s Homepage
• (32:05) Create panoramic images
  • AutoStitch for the iPhone – Check out an iPhone photo of Martin’s desk
  • Autopano for Windows

Community feedback:

• (36:25) A recent BWTG episode on Facebook Pages generated these comments:
  • Nancy Thompson from Victory of the Lamb in Franklin, WI shared steps for adding a Facebook Page Fan Box to your web site – Info in this Mashable blog post too
  • A Mail Chimp blog post details adding a newsletter subscribe form to your facebook page
• And we received positive feedback via Twitter from Picnik regarding our BWTG episode on Web Image Editing
• Alyssa Dunning from our Web Services area shared a link for registering with Google Maps
• Blogger Jim Gates from Tipline – Gates’ Computer Tips clarified his opinion about twitter in the classroom, then appeared to change his mind
• Pastor David Ernest from Gloria Dei in Tinley Park, IL asked about keeping his public e-mail SPAM free.  Martin suggested using Javascript to mask e-mail addresses on your web site.
• Pastor Aaron Frey from Emanuel in Tawas City, MI, a.k.a. Exetweet on Twitter, applies that Greek training to WELSTech
• Sallie shares a true geek treat – TrekYourself.com

Coming up on WELSTech:

(50:30) Join us for two episodes of WELSTech next week

• Episode 085 – The BWTG (Bonus WELSTech Goodness) how-to topic of the week is creating custom RSS feeds for your web site using Delicious. (Release date 07/20/09)
• Episode 086 – With Synod Convention less than one week away, this episode of WELSTech will give you a behind-the-scenes look at the technology being used to bring the convention experience to you virtually. (Release date 07/22/09)

The featured artist:

(51:10) This week we close with the music of Revelation, a music ministry of Wisconsin Lutheran College (www.revelationwlc.com) - Such Joy from their CD titled ”We Walk By Faith”

Get involved:

• Add a comment below
• Send us an e-mail welstech@wels.net
• 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