WELSTech Video
WELSTech Video

WELSTech Video

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772 – The Pendulum Swings: EdTech’s Reckoning
MAR 19, 2026
772 – The Pendulum Swings: EdTech’s Reckoning
<a href="https://welstech.wels.net/2026/03/19/772-the-pendulum-swings/" title="772 &#8211; The Pendulum Swings: EdTech&#8217;s Reckoning" rel="nofollow"><img loading="lazy" width="1080" height="1080" src="https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/772-EdTech-Pendulum.png" class="wp-image-26495 avia-img-lazy-loading-26495 webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="float: left; margin-right: 30px;" link_thumbnail="1" decoding="async" srcset="https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/772-EdTech-Pendulum.png 1080w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/772-EdTech-Pendulum-300x300.png 300w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/772-EdTech-Pendulum-1030x1030.png 1030w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/772-EdTech-Pendulum-80x80.png 80w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/772-EdTech-Pendulum-768x768.png 768w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/772-EdTech-Pendulum-36x36.png 36w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/772-EdTech-Pendulum-180x180.png 180w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/772-EdTech-Pendulum-705x705.png 705w" sizes="(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" /></a><p>Tune in to this episode of WELSTech for a lively discussion on right-sizing technology for the classroom. Our friends Jason and Rachel are back with a rubric utility, Adobe free education resources, and a sprinkling of AI as well. You&#8217;ll be shouting &#8220;BINGO!&#8221; before you know it!</p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p style="text-align: center;"></p> <div class='avia-iframe-wrap'><iframe title="WELSTech Episode 772 - The Pendulum Swings: EdTech&#039;s Reckoning" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/1175265606?dnt=1&amp;app_id=122963" width="1500" height="844" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin"></iframe></div> </div> <h3><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-26495" src="https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/772-EdTech-Pendulum-300x300.png" alt="" width="300" height="300" srcset="https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/772-EdTech-Pendulum-300x300.png 300w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/772-EdTech-Pendulum-1030x1030.png 1030w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/772-EdTech-Pendulum-80x80.png 80w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/772-EdTech-Pendulum-768x768.png 768w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/772-EdTech-Pendulum-36x36.png 36w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/772-EdTech-Pendulum-180x180.png 180w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/772-EdTech-Pendulum-705x705.png 705w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/772-EdTech-Pendulum.png 1080w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />The discussion</h3> <p data-wp-editing="1">Has education gone too far with technology?  Martin and Sallie are joined by Dr. Rachel Renno from Martin Luther College and Jason Schmidt from Oshkosh ISD to discuss the growing backlash against over-digitization in classrooms. Drawing on Jared Cooney Horvath&#8217;s <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Delusion-Classroom-Technology-Learning-ebook/dp/B0G5JC584M" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>The Digital Delusion</em></a>, we explore how COVID accelerated tech adoption and why some are now calling for a return to fundamentals.</p> <h3>Ministry resource</h3> <p><a href="https://wels.net/serving-you/christian-life/discipleship/national-teen-bible-study/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Teen Bible Study</a> &#8211; Sunday, March 29 at 6:00 pm Central</p> <h3>Picks of the week</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://bestrubrics.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BestRubrics.com</a></li> <li><a href="https://podcast.adobe.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adobe Podcast</a> <ul> <li>Part of Adobe Express which is <a href="https://www.adobe.com/education/express/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">free for education</a></li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="https://bingobaker.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BingoBaker.com</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.soenkeahrens.de/en/takesmartnotes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>How To Take Smart Notes</em></a> by Sonke Ahrens <ul> <li><a href="https://claude.ai/share/332d9b61-0bab-4b46-8085-1d42ab83f36b" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Summary by Claude AI</a></li> </ul> </li> </ul> <h3>Community feedback</h3> <ul> <li>Hot off the press &#8230; Matt Miller&#8217;s newest book, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1968898077" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>AI Literacy in Any Class</em></a></li> </ul> <h3>Get involved</h3> <ul> <li>Add comments</li> <li>Send us an e-mail <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a></li> <li>Join the WELSTech community: <ul> <li>WELSTech <a href="https://groups.google.com/a/groups.wels.net/forum/#!forum/welstech" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Google Group</a></li> <li>WELSTech on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/WELSTech">Facebook</a></li> <li>WELSTech on <a href="http://pinterest.com/welstech/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Pinterest</a></li> <li>WELSTech on <a href="https://instagram.com/welstechpodcast/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Instagram</a></li> </ul> </li> <li>Add to the WELSTech wiki <a href="http://welstechwiki.gapps.wels.net/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">welstechwiki.gapps.wels.net</a></li> <li>Contribute to the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23WELSTech&amp;src=typd" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">#WELSTech</a> Twitter conversation</li> <li>Follow us on Twitter &#8211; <a href="http://twitter.com/welstech" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">welstech</a>, <a href="http://twitter.com/mspriggs">mspriggs</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/salliedraper">salliedraper</a></li> <li>Share with the Diigo group <a href="http://groups.diigo.com/group/welstech">welstech</a></li> </ul>
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46 MIN
771 – Human Connection in a Digital Age
MAR 5, 2026
771 – Human Connection in a Digital Age
<a href="https://welstech.wels.net/2026/03/05/771-human-connection-in-a-digital-age/" title="771 &#8211; Human Connection in a Digital Age" rel="nofollow"><img width="1080" height="1080" src="https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/771-Human-Connection.png" class="wp-image-26468 avia-img-lazy-loading-26468 webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="float: left; margin-right: 30px;" link_thumbnail="1" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/771-Human-Connection.png 1080w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/771-Human-Connection-300x300.png 300w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/771-Human-Connection-1030x1030.png 1030w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/771-Human-Connection-80x80.png 80w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/771-Human-Connection-768x768.png 768w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/771-Human-Connection-36x36.png 36w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/771-Human-Connection-180x180.png 180w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/771-Human-Connection-705x705.png 705w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" /></a><p>Welcome back to WELSTech, a conversation at the intersection of ministry and technology for over 18 years! Today we look at the newly released Artificial Intelligence Ethical Framework and Risk Matrix. Martin has a free diagramming tool while Sallie shares an affordable new Apple laptop. Plus the community feedback segment includes news of Gen Z returning to religion.</p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p style="text-align: center;"></p> <div class='avia-iframe-wrap'><iframe loading="lazy" title="WELSTech_Episode_771" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/1170797075?dnt=1&amp;app_id=122963" width="1500" height="844" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin"></iframe></div> </div> <h3><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-26468" src="https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/771-Human-Connection-300x300.png" alt="" width="300" height="300" srcset="https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/771-Human-Connection-300x300.png 300w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/771-Human-Connection-1030x1030.png 1030w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/771-Human-Connection-80x80.png 80w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/771-Human-Connection-768x768.png 768w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/771-Human-Connection-36x36.png 36w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/771-Human-Connection-180x180.png 180w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/771-Human-Connection-705x705.png 705w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/771-Human-Connection.png 1080w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />The discussion</h3> <p data-wp-editing="1">AI Support &#8211; Martin shares a preliminary look at the latest releases from WELS AI Task Force &#8211; the AI Ethical Framework (<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iFJpEWC7mUokBiNmH4K7Q5mRZmP7FjMd/view?usp=drive_link" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PDF</a> | <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XMfIR7INbp3H-AfCdEIPicny5UCqrBXQnxMQtMke1g8/edit?usp=drive_link" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Google Docs</a>) and AI Risk Matrix (<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/165M3yrh8bXJagPOGgTueDou4bTgsGatX/view?usp=drive_link" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PDF</a> | <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EdPHBisanat2C3jY04KQFh7qZ3KQTSklvcVQQ03hvGM/edit?usp=drive_link" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Google Docs</a>) documents. Find these resources and more on the WELSTech AI page &#8211; <a href="https://welstech.wels.net/ai" target="_blank" rel="noopener">welstech.wels.net/ai</a>.</p> <ul> <li data-wp-editing="1"><a href="https://forms.gle/2XfA6crtoZSyYkJd6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Share your feedback</a></li> </ul> <h3>Picks of the week</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.apple.com/macbook-neo/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Apple MacBook Neo</a></li> <li><a href="https://excalidraw.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Excalidraw</a> (<a href="https://github.com/excalidraw/excalidraw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GitHub</a>)</li> </ul> <h3>Community feedback</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.canva.com/design/DAG9CZ1RyCs/hZs_tmgZQCO7wB9f6BDyUA/view?utm_content=DAG9CZ1RyCs&amp;utm_campaign=designshare&amp;utm_medium=link&amp;utm_source=publishsharelink&amp;mode=preview&amp;fbclid=IwY2xjawQNRclleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETJmaEs0Y2oxSGNUVHVPMEZXc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHgkKYT9cnYP-4_sYiPTdvm47TAAWNJb060ib39OI9zeT-Qw_9rlV5tlpyxEr_aem_rN2VhIm2drEw_wO_8-ffnw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Grace Ungemach&#8217;s &#8220;Brand Direction&#8221; Canva template</a></li> <li><a href="https://en.protothema.gr/2026/01/14/why-gen-z-is-returning-to-religion-what-new-research-in-the-united-kingdom-shows/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Why Gen Z is returning to religion</a></li> <li><a href="https://360ledger.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/45800017733787-Announcement-Old-Church360-Ledger-End-of-Life-EOL" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Church 360 Ledger end of like is 6/1/2026</a></li> </ul> <h3>Next time</h3> <p>Tune in for a timely edtech discussion with Rachel Renno and Jason Schmidt</p> <h3>Get involved</h3> <ul> <li>Add comments</li> <li>Send us an e-mail <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a></li> <li>Join the WELSTech community: <ul> <li>WELSTech <a href="https://groups.google.com/a/groups.wels.net/forum/#!forum/welstech" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Google Group</a></li> <li>WELSTech on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/WELSTech">Facebook</a></li> <li>WELSTech on <a href="http://pinterest.com/welstech/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Pinterest</a></li> <li>WELSTech on <a href="https://instagram.com/welstechpodcast/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Instagram</a></li> </ul> </li> <li>Add to the WELSTech wiki <a href="http://welstechwiki.gapps.wels.net/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">welstechwiki.gapps.wels.net</a></li> <li>Contribute to the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23WELSTech&amp;src=typd" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">#WELSTech</a> Twitter conversation</li> <li>Follow us on Twitter &#8211; <a href="http://twitter.com/welstech" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">welstech</a>, <a href="http://twitter.com/mspriggs">mspriggs</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/salliedraper">salliedraper</a></li> <li>Share with the Diigo group <a href="http://groups.diigo.com/group/welstech">welstech</a></li> </ul>
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36 MIN
770 – Your Strategic Plan Deserves More Than a PDF
FEB 19, 2026
770 – Your Strategic Plan Deserves More Than a PDF
<a href="https://welstech.wels.net/2026/02/19/770-your-strategic-plan/" title="770 &#8211; Your Strategic Plan Deserves More Than a PDF" rel="nofollow"><img width="1080" height="1080" src="https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/770-Strategic-Plan.png" class="wp-image-26443 avia-img-lazy-loading-26443 webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="float: left; margin-right: 30px;" link_thumbnail="1" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/770-Strategic-Plan.png 1080w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/770-Strategic-Plan-300x300.png 300w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/770-Strategic-Plan-1030x1030.png 1030w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/770-Strategic-Plan-80x80.png 80w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/770-Strategic-Plan-768x768.png 768w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/770-Strategic-Plan-36x36.png 36w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/770-Strategic-Plan-180x180.png 180w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/770-Strategic-Plan-705x705.png 705w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" /></a><p>It&#8217;s time for WELSTech 770, your bi-weekly dive into ministry and technology topics of the day. And today the conversation centers around tech to assist with managing a strategic plan. Also in this episode, learn more about the upcoming Taste of Missions event and a helpful new iOS app. Plus, get the &#8220;skinny&#8221; on Sallie&#8217;s hardware pick of the week.</p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p style="text-align: center;"></p> <div class='avia-iframe-wrap'><iframe loading="lazy" title="WELSTech Episode 770 - Your Strategic Plan Deserves More Than a PDF" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/1166453981?dnt=1&amp;app_id=122963" width="1500" height="844" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin"></iframe></div> </div> <h3><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-26443" src="https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/770-Strategic-Plan-300x300.png" alt="" width="300" height="300" srcset="https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/770-Strategic-Plan-300x300.png 300w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/770-Strategic-Plan-1030x1030.png 1030w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/770-Strategic-Plan-80x80.png 80w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/770-Strategic-Plan-768x768.png 768w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/770-Strategic-Plan-36x36.png 36w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/770-Strategic-Plan-180x180.png 180w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/770-Strategic-Plan-705x705.png 705w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/770-Strategic-Plan.png 1080w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />The discussion</h3> <p data-wp-editing="1">Working the Plan &#8211; Explore how Trello supports managing and communicating progress on a strategic plan. Martin shares WELS strategic plan in Trello, showing how color‑coded cards and cross‑linked resource boards enable clear, visual tracking of key objectives.</p> <ul> <li data-wp-editing="1"><a href="https://christthroughus.net/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Christ Through Us</a>, WELS Strategic Plan</li> <li data-wp-editing="1">Trello for non-profits <ul> <li data-wp-editing="1"><a href="https://trello.com/use-cases/nonprofits" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Details</a></li> <li data-wp-editing="1"><a href="https://www.atlassian.com/software/views/community-license-request#/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Apply</a></li> </ul> </li> <li data-wp-editing="1"><a href="https://trello.com/b/dEGXtzi9/trello-demo-with-all-your-heart-ch-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">WELSTech sample Trello board</a></li> </ul> <h3>Ministry resource</h3> <p><a href="https://tasteofmissions.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Taste of Missions</a> &#8211; June 13 at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://tasteofmissions.com/activities/school-challenge/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">School Challenge</a></li> <li><a href="https://tasteofmissions.com/activities/poster-contest/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Poster Contest</a></li> </ul> <h3>Picks of the week</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.apple.com/iphone-air/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">iPhone Air</a></li> <li><a href="https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/get-started-with-preview-on-iphone-iph7239ea3b5/ios" target="_blank" rel="noopener">iOS Preview app</a></li> </ul> <h3>Community feedback</h3> <p>Ryan Kirchoff&#8217;s <a href="https://www.blueprint-schools.com/the-blueprint-schools-blog/adifferentquestionsaboutai" target="_blank" rel="noopener">latest blog post at Blueprint Schools</a> is a great follow up to our recent interview</p> <h3>Next time</h3> <p>Hear an update from WELS AI Task Force regarding their work on an AI Ethical Framework and Risk Matrix</p> <h3>Get involved</h3> <ul> <li>Add comments</li> <li>Send us an e-mail <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a></li> <li>Join the WELSTech community: <ul> <li>WELSTech <a href="https://groups.google.com/a/groups.wels.net/forum/#!forum/welstech" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Google Group</a></li> <li>WELSTech on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/WELSTech">Facebook</a></li> <li>WELSTech on <a href="http://pinterest.com/welstech/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Pinterest</a></li> <li>WELSTech on <a href="https://instagram.com/welstechpodcast/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Instagram</a></li> </ul> </li> <li>Add to the WELSTech wiki <a href="http://welstechwiki.gapps.wels.net/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">welstechwiki.gapps.wels.net</a></li> <li>Contribute to the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23WELSTech&amp;src=typd" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">#WELSTech</a> Twitter conversation</li> <li>Follow us on Twitter &#8211; <a href="http://twitter.com/welstech" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">welstech</a>, <a href="http://twitter.com/mspriggs">mspriggs</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/salliedraper">salliedraper</a></li> <li>Share with the Diigo group <a href="http://groups.diigo.com/group/welstech">welstech</a></li> </ul>
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36 MIN
769 – AI for the Assist
FEB 5, 2026
769 – AI for the Assist
<a href="https://welstech.wels.net/2026/02/05/769-ai-for-the-assist/" title="769 &#8211; AI for the Assist" rel="nofollow"><img width="1080" height="1080" src="https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/769-AI-for-the-Assist.png" class="wp-image-26420 avia-img-lazy-loading-26420 webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="float: left; margin-right: 30px;" link_thumbnail="1" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/769-AI-for-the-Assist.png 1080w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/769-AI-for-the-Assist-300x300.png 300w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/769-AI-for-the-Assist-1030x1030.png 1030w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/769-AI-for-the-Assist-80x80.png 80w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/769-AI-for-the-Assist-768x768.png 768w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/769-AI-for-the-Assist-36x36.png 36w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/769-AI-for-the-Assist-180x180.png 180w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/769-AI-for-the-Assist-705x705.png 705w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" /></a><p>This episode of WELSTech features an interview with Ryan Kirchoff where he shares an overview of his recent Leadership Conference presentation on our favorite topic &#8211; Artificial Intelligence. <em>Are You an Influencer</em> is the topic of an upcoming webinar. Sallie has a new favorite song, and Martin has a new favorite gadget. Which one will be your favorite?</p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p style="text-align: center;"></p> <div class='avia-iframe-wrap'><iframe loading="lazy" title="WELSTech Episode 769 - AI for the Assist" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/1162235958?dnt=1&amp;app_id=122963" width="1500" height="844" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin"></iframe></div> </div> <h3><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-26420" src="https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/769-AI-for-the-Assist-300x300.png" alt="" width="300" height="300" srcset="https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/769-AI-for-the-Assist-300x300.png 300w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/769-AI-for-the-Assist-1030x1030.png 1030w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/769-AI-for-the-Assist-80x80.png 80w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/769-AI-for-the-Assist-768x768.png 768w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/769-AI-for-the-Assist-36x36.png 36w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/769-AI-for-the-Assist-180x180.png 180w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/769-AI-for-the-Assist-705x705.png 705w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/769-AI-for-the-Assist.png 1080w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />The discussion</h3> <p data-wp-editing="1">Assist versus lead &#8211; Instructional coordinator and consultant Ryan Kirchoff shares highlights from his recent WELS Leadership Conference session on <a href="https://lutheranleadership.com/artificial-intelligence-and-the-church/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AI and the Church</a> (<a href="https://congserv.blob.core.windows.net/leadership-conf/2026%20Conference%20Materials/Generative%20AI%20and%20Ministry_%20A%20One%E2%80%91Page%20Owner%E2%80%99s%20Manual.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">presentation resource</a>). Since late-2022 when AI was first shared, Ryan&#8217;s work at <a href="https://www.fvlhs.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fox Valley Lutheran High School</a> and with <a href="http://blueprint-schools.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Blueprint-Schools.com</a> has taken on an element of educating others about what and how AI can serve ministry.</p> <ul> <li data-wp-editing="1">Ryan&#8217;s latest course, <a href="https://dana-kirchoff.mykajabi.com/offers/8oauLgVh/checkout" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AI for Impact</a>, is specially priced at $99 per school during February</li> </ul> <h3>Ministry resource</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://wels.net/serving-you/christian-life/womens-ministry/womens-ministry-webinars/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>You Are an Influencer</em> webinar</a> <ul> <li>February 19 &#8211; 7 to 8 pm Central</li> <li>Hosted by WELS Women&#8217;s Ministry</li> </ul> </li> <li>Christmas coloring revisited <ul> <li>Shout out to the upper grades at <a href="https://school.stjohnsfoxlake.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">St. John Lutheran School</a> in Fox Lake, WI and Principal Tom Rosenow</li> <li>Download their AI generated <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1L1Vg4S7uzs53ra701mjwqQAFBixNJcnL/view?usp=drive_link" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Christmas coloring book</a></li> </ul> </li> </ul> <h3>Picks of the week</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhMs7VTm2Lc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Now Rest Beneath Night&#8217;s Shadow</a> &#8211; Melody and chorus by Pastor Caleb Schmiege and Melanie Bourman</li> <li><a href="https://www.getkeysmart.com/products/keysmart-smartcard" target="_blank" rel="noopener">KeySmart SmartCard</a></li> </ul> <h3>Community feedback</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://groups.google.com/a/groups.wels.net/g/welstech/c/EHKRhAFAcj4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PBX is all the talk</a> in the <a href="https://groups.google.com/a/groups.wels.net/forum/#!forum/welstech">WELSTech Google Group</a></li> </ul> <h3>Next time</h3> <p>Managing a strategic plan with Trello</p> <h3>Get involved</h3> <ul> <li>Add comments</li> <li>Send us an e-mail <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a></li> <li>Join the WELSTech community: <ul> <li>WELSTech <a href="https://groups.google.com/a/groups.wels.net/forum/#!forum/welstech" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Google Group</a></li> <li>WELSTech on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/WELSTech">Facebook</a></li> <li>WELSTech on <a href="http://pinterest.com/welstech/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Pinterest</a></li> <li>WELSTech on <a href="https://instagram.com/welstechpodcast/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Instagram</a></li> </ul> </li> <li>Add to the WELSTech wiki <a href="http://welstechwiki.gapps.wels.net/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">welstechwiki.gapps.wels.net</a></li> <li>Contribute to the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23WELSTech&amp;src=typd" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">#WELSTech</a> Twitter conversation</li> <li>Follow us on Twitter &#8211; <a href="http://twitter.com/welstech" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">welstech</a>, <a href="http://twitter.com/mspriggs">mspriggs</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/salliedraper">salliedraper</a></li> <li>Share with the Diigo group <a href="http://groups.diigo.com/group/welstech">welstech</a></li> </ul>
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43 MIN
768 – Many Hats, Many Cats
JAN 22, 2026
768 – Many Hats, Many Cats
<a href="https://welstech.wels.net/2026/01/22/768-many-hats-many-cats/" title="768 &#8211; Many Hats, Many Cats" rel="nofollow"><img width="900" height="900" src="https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/WELSTech-768.png" class="wp-image-26325 avia-img-lazy-loading-26325 webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="float: left; margin-right: 30px;" link_thumbnail="1" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/WELSTech-768.png 900w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/WELSTech-768-300x300.png 300w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/WELSTech-768-80x80.png 80w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/WELSTech-768-768x768.png 768w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/WELSTech-768-36x36.png 36w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/WELSTech-768-180x180.png 180w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/WELSTech-768-705x705.png 705w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /></a><p>Tune into this episode of WELSTech for a master class in herding cats as we navigate a lively discussion of the MLC degree and certificate offerings for technology directors. There&#8217;s also a broad range of picks of the week, Martin&#8217;s Screens and Souls presentation from Leadership Conference, and some free Google training to discuss.</p> <div style="text-align: center;"> <p style="text-align: center;"></p> <div class='avia-iframe-wrap'><iframe loading="lazy" title="WELSTech Episode 768 - Many Hats, Many Cats" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/1157300760?dnt=1&amp;app_id=122963" width="1500" height="844" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin"></iframe></div> </div> <h3><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-26325" src="https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/WELSTech-768-300x300.png" alt="" width="300" height="300" srcset="https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/WELSTech-768-300x300.png 300w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/WELSTech-768-80x80.png 80w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/WELSTech-768-768x768.png 768w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/WELSTech-768-36x36.png 36w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/WELSTech-768-180x180.png 180w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/WELSTech-768-705x705.png 705w, https://welstech.wels.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/WELSTech-768.png 900w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />The discussion</h3> <p data-wp-editing="1">Technology director &#8211; Martin and Sallie welcome our semi-regular edtech co-hosts, Dr. Rachel Feld and Jason Schmidt, along with yet another friend in the ed tech space, Dr. Bob Martens, Martin Luther College (MLC) Director of Information Technology. The discussion centers on the MLC <a href="https://mlc-wels.edu/graduate-studies/technology-director/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Technology Director graduate degree program</a> (a <a href="https://mlc-wels.edu/graduate-studies/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2025/06/MSEdAdmin-TechDir-6-23-2025.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">30 credit MS Education Administration</a> program) as well as two new certifications also offered by MLC in <a href="https://mlc-wels.edu/graduate-studies/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2025/06/Ed-Tech-Leader-Cert-PP-6-30-2025.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Education Technology Leadership</a> and <a href="https://mlc-wels.edu/graduate-studies/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2025/06/Technology-Integration-Specialist-Cert-PP-6-30-2025.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Technology Integration</a>, each requiring 9 credits.</p> <p data-wp-editing="1">Summed up as learning to be comfortable with the uncomfortable, the three share how the program teaches edtech leadership skills needed to manage the many facets of the ever-changing edtech learning environment.</p> <h3>Ministry resource</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.cosn.org/edtech-topics/driving-k-12-innovation/hurdles-accelerators/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CoSN K-12 Innovation</a> <ul> <li>Notebook LM summary &#8211; <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/EHHXawHqFKupGLmK7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Infographic</a>, <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iFEAORYQqW6mx6koAxjoPrKVcpPPjvtC/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Audio</a>, <a href="https://youtu.be/dZsWZDu5as8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Video</a></li> </ul> </li> <li>Martin&#8217;s Leadership Conference presentation on <a href="https://bit.ly/screensandsouls" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Screens and Souls</a></li> </ul> <h3>Picks of the week</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://store.ui.com/us/en/category/accessories-modules-fiber/collections/accessories-pro-single-mode-optical-fiber/products/uacc-om-qsfp28-lr4?variant=uacc-om-qsfp28-lr4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">100G LR4 Single-Mode Optical Module</a></li> <li><a href="https://a.co/d/73Vd2OS" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Water Reminder Smart Light</a></li> <li><a href="https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/2391819?hl=en&amp;co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop#zippy=%2Copen-tabs-and-links-in-split-view" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Google Chrome Split View</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.pirateship.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pirate Ship</a></li> <li><a href="https://bookofconcord.cph.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Book of Concord</a></li> </ul> <h3>Community feedback</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://edu.google.com/intl/ALL_us/learning-center/certifications/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Free Google Certifications</a> &#8211; Google Certified Educator Level 1 &amp; 2 as well as Gemini Certified Educator and Gemini Certified student</li> </ul> <h3>Get involved</h3> <ul> <li>Add comments</li> <li>Send us an e-mail <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a></li> <li>Join the WELSTech community: <ul> <li>WELSTech <a href="https://groups.google.com/a/groups.wels.net/forum/#!forum/welstech" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Google Group</a></li> <li>WELSTech on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/WELSTech">Facebook</a></li> <li>WELSTech on <a href="http://pinterest.com/welstech/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Pinterest</a></li> <li>WELSTech on <a href="https://instagram.com/welstechpodcast/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Instagram</a></li> </ul> </li> <li>Add to the WELSTech wiki <a href="http://welstechwiki.gapps.wels.net/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">welstechwiki.gapps.wels.net</a></li> <li>Contribute to the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23WELSTech&amp;src=typd" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">#WELSTech</a> Twitter conversation</li> <li>Follow us on Twitter &#8211; <a href="http://twitter.com/welstech" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">welstech</a>, <a href="http://twitter.com/mspriggs">mspriggs</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/salliedraper">salliedraper</a></li> <li>Share with the Diigo group <a href="http://groups.diigo.com/group/welstech">welstech</a></li> </ul>
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53 MIN