EdTech Situation Room Episode 73

Welcome to episode 73 of the EdTech Situation Room from November 8, 2017, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) and Wes Fryer (@wfryer) discussed how to run Windows software on newer Chromebooks using CodeWeavers’ CrossOver, recent congressional testimony by Silicon Valley leaders, and Twitter’s expanded 280 character limit. Additional topics included the EPA’s recent approval to release genetically modified mosquitoes in 20 U.S. states and the rise of global “Net States.” Please follow us on Twitter @edtechSR to stay updated, and join us LIVE for a future show at 9 pm Central / 8 pm Mountain. Check all our shownotes on http://edtechSR.com/links

Shownotes:

  1. EdTech Situation Room Listener Survey: wfryer.me/edtechsr
  2. Follow @edtechSR on Twitter!
  3. Audio podcast feed (Subscribe with iTunes or Stitcher)
  4. Video version on YouTube
  5. Check out our video podcast feed and subscribe to our YouTube Channel (episodes also in this YouTube playlist)
  6. Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) – blog: blog.ncce.org
  7. Wes Fryer (@wfryer) – blog: speedofcreativity.org
  8. Chromebooks Get Windows Software Via CodeWeavers’ CrossOver (Android Headlines, 8 November 2017)
  9. Run Windows Apps On Your Chromebook With Crossover – Sort Of (Chrome Unboxed)
  10. Sen. Al Franken torched Amazon, Facebook and Google for using their algorithms to maintain their massive footprints (Recode, 8 November 2017)
  11. It’s not just a Trump problem — we all have to take responsibility for Twitter (Recode, 8 November 2017)Twitter is rolling out 280-character tweets around the world (The Verge, 7 November 2017)
  12. Twitter’s 280-Character Limit Is Here to Stay (PC Magazine, 7 November 2017)
  13. EPA approves ‘good guy’ mosquitoes to battle Zika (Engadget, 8 Nov 2017)
  14. Facebook and Google Are Actually ‘Net States.’ And They Rule the World (Net States Rule The World; We Need To Recognize Their Power) (Wired, 4 Nov 2017)
  15. Jason’s Geek of the Week: Jelly!
  16. Wes’ Geek of the Week: [VIDEO] Saroo Brierley: Homeward Bound (3 min) and 2016 movie “Lion” (s/o to Google Maps)

EdTech Situation Room Episode 66

Welcome to episode 66 of the EdTech Situation Room from September 19, 2017, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) and Wes Fryer (@wfryer) discussed Facebook’s struggles to define standards for censoring advertisers, Facebook “Pixel” tracking, expanded T-Mobile data caps, recommended action steps for Equifax hack victims, and the CCleaner anti-malware software hack. Additional topics included tips G Suite admins can take to prevent phishing attacks, a great free Chrome extension which can help that effort (Password Alert), iOS 11 updates, tvOS updates, and Google’s forthcoming event featuring an expected Pixel 2 smartphone announcement. A speed round of CRISPR and genomics headlines rounded out the show, with geeks of the week including a new 2D to 3D facial modeling program and useful wireless device mirroring solutions: The Via Connect Pro and Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter 2. Check out the shownotes for links to all these articles, which are also listed on edtechsr.com/links. Be sure to follow us on Twitter @edtechSR and tune in (usually) on Wednesday nights at 9 pm central, 8 pm mountain, or 2 am GMT. Until next time, stay safe and stay savvy!

Shownotes:

  1. EdTech Situation Room Listener Survey: wfryer.me/edtechsr
  2. Follow @edtechSR on Twitter!
  3. Audio podcast feed (Subscribe with iTunes or Stitcher)
  4. Video version on YouTube
  5. Check out our video podcast feed and subscribe to our YouTube Channel (episodes also in this YouTube playlist)
  6. Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) – blog: blog.ncce.org
  7. Wes Fryer (@wfryer) – blog: speedofcreativity.org
  8. Watch as streaming TV services are increasingly winning the top Emmys (Recode, 18 September 2017)
  9. Facebook Enabled Advertisers to Reach ‘Jew Haters’ (ProPublica, 14 Sep 2017)
  10. Getting Started with the Facebook Pixel (Facebook Developer Info)
  11. T-Mobile increases unlimited data cap from 32GB to 50GB (The Verge, 19 September 2017)
  12. Tester Demands Answers From Verizon After Montanans Receive Termination Letters (Website of Senator Tester)
  13. Bamboozled: Why the Equifax hack is a really, really big deal (NJ.com, 14 Sep 2017)
  14. Credit Freeze Information by State by TransUnion
  15. Use www.annualcreditreport.com (free) not www.creditreport.com (commercial site)
  16. Avast reckons CCleaner malware infected 2.27M users (TechCrunch, 18 Sep 2017)
  17. Alternatives to CCleaner
  18. 7 ways admins can help secure accounts against phishing in G Suite (Google, 8 Sep 2017)
  19. Hackable Podcast Episode 3: Locked Out ( on Ransomware, by McAfee, 29 Aug 2017)
  20. Paper ballots are back in vogue thanks to Russian hacking fears (USA Today, 19 September 2017)
  21. How To Update Your iPhone To iOS 11 (Wired, 19 September 2017)
  22. PSA: Your Older 32-Bit Apps Won’t Launch After Installing iOS 11 Tomorrow (MacRumors, 18 Sep 2017)
  23. iOS 11 Review: 10 Things to Try (The Verge, 19 September 2017)
  24. Apple updates Pages, Numbers, and Keynote with new iOS 11 features (9to5 Mac, 09/19/2017)
  25. tvOS 11: tvOS 11 update for Apple TV is now available, here’s everything new (9to5Mac, 09/19/2017)
  26. iPhone 8 Vs iPhone 7: What’s The Difference? (Forbes, 18 Sep 2017)
  27. Review: Apple iPhone 8 and 8 Plus (Wired; 19 September 2017)
  28. Google sets Pixel 2 launch event for October 4th (Verge, 14 Sep 2017)
  29. Google Pixel 2 Event Could Bring More Surprises Than The iPhone X (Valuewalk, 18 Sep 2017)
  30. Google Pixel 2 Official Teaser Video: “Funny you should ask”
  31. Google Pixelbook leak reveals a high-end Chromebook with stylus support (The Verge, 19 September 2017)
  32. CRISPR reveals genetic master switches behind butterfly wing patterns (Nature, 18 Sep 2017)
  33. Geneticists Have Used CRISPR Gene Editing to Create Crops That Grow More Food (Futurism, 14 Sep 2017)
  34. Doubts raised over validity of CRISPR-edited human embryo study (Chemical and Engineering News, 18 Sep 2017)
  35. [VIDEO] Are GMOs Good or Bad? Genetic Engineering & Our Food (9 min – by Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell)
  36. Watch as streaming TV services are increasingly winning the top Emmys (Recode, 18 September 2017)
  37. Geek of the Week from Jason: 3d from 2d Using AI, from The University of Nottingham and Kingston University: Verge, 09/19/2017; Jason’s Test
  38. Geeks of the Week from Wes: Via Connect Pro ($800) and Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter 2 ($44), Password Alert extension for Google Chrome (free)

EdTech Situation Room Episode 59

Welcome to episode 59 of the EdTech Situation Room from August 2, 2017, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) and Wes Fryer (@wfryer) discussed Apple’s recent favorable quarterly earnings report, Tim Cook’s alleged statements to President Trump about Apple manufacturing returning (at least in part) to the USA mainland, the relatively low influence of peer-journaled research in most K-12 educational purchasing decisions, and the implications of genetic modification / genomics in recently announced insect eradication campaigns in the US as well as a breakthrough human embryo genetic mutation “edit.” Other topics addressed included solar eclipse sunglasses scams on Amazon (buyer beware!), some excellent explanatory videos and articles about cryptocurrencies and the “blockchain” (including Bitcoin), the announced death of Flash as a supported web technology from Adobe in 2020, and recent hacks to Verizon customers as well as an alarmingly saavy web user whose AT&T iPhone account was compromised in a targeted attacked even though he had 2-step verification turned on as well as an account passcode. (The AT&T call center rep was the weak link and granted account access to the hacker without the required customer pass phrase.) Lastly, an article prediction that SpaceX will become the leading global Internet Service Provider (ISP) when they triple the number of communication satellites in earth orbit, and the current battle of Snopes to raise money and remain financially solvent were discussed. Geeks of the week included ShoutKey, a website for sharing time-limited shortened web links / URLs with plain English words easy to spell (Wes) and an Anker solar charger for digital devices (Jason). Jason also announced the “Chromebook App List” on the NCCE blog, and Wes shared he will be presenting for Classroom 2.0 Live on Saturday, August 12th. (Note: This is a correction from the date shared during this episode). Please check our shownotes below and links on https://edtechsr.com/links for all referenced articles and resources from this episode. Follow us on Twitter @edtechSR to stay up to date about upcoming shows. Please try to join us LIVE online if you can, normally on Wednesday nights at 10 pm Eastern / 9 pm Central / 8 pm Mountain / 7 pm Pacific.

Shownotes:

  1. EdTech Situation Room Listener Survey: wfryer.me/edtechsr
  2. Follow @edtechSR on Twitter!
  3. Audio podcast feed (Subscribe with iTunes or Stitcher)
  4. Video version on YouTube
  5. Check out our video podcast feed and subscribe to our YouTube Channel (episodes also in this YouTube playlist)
  6. Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) – blog: blog.ncce.org
  7. Wes Fryer (@wfryer) – blog: speedofcreativity.org
  8. After three years, iPad sales are up again for Apple (ArsTechnica, 1 August 2017)
  9. Tim Cook on Trump’s Apple Factories Statement: Let’s Talk About Something Else (MacObserver, 1 August 2017)
  10. How Much Do Educators Care About Edtech Efficacy? Less Than You Might Think (EdSurge, 17 July 2017)
  11. Genetically Modified Moth May Soon Be Coming to New York Crops (Smithsonian Magazine, 11 July 2017)
  12. In Breakthrough, Scientists Edit a Dangerous Mutation From Genes in Human Embryos (NY Times, 2 August 2017)
  13. 23andMe: DNA Genetic Testing & Analysis
  14. Buyer Beware: Don’t blindly trust companies selling solar eclipse glasses on Amazon (The Verge; 25 July 2017)
  15. Radiolab Episode on Cryptocurrency zCash: “The Ceremony” (14 July 2017)
  16. Ever wonder how Bitcoin (and other cryptocurrencies) actually work? (3Blue1Brown, 1 July 2017) h/t @legoarf
  17. RIP Flash (1995-2020): Adobe will finally kill Flash in 2020 (The Verge, 25 July 2017)
  18. Millions of Verizon customer records exposed in security lapse (ZDNet, 12 July 2017)
  19. I Got Hacked & All I Got Was This New SIM Card (@justin, 7 July 2017)
  20. Will SpaceX become world’s biggest telecoms provider? Probably.” (@gavinsblog, 15 July 2017)
  21. Fake News Watch: Snopes, in Heated Legal Battle, Asks Readers for Money to Survive (New York Times, 24 July 2017)
  22. Geeks of the Week from Jason: Anker Solar ChargerChromebook App List
  23. Geeks of the Week from Wes: ShoutKeyWes on Classroom 2.0 Live Saturday August 12th

EdTech Situation Room Episode 53

Welcome to episode 53 of the EdTech Situation Room from May 24, 2017, where technology news meets educational analysis. Visit https://edtechsr.com/links to access all referenced links from our show. This week Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) and Wesley Fryer (@wfryer) discussed more takeaways from the recent Google I/O event, genomics and biotechnology news involving CRISPR and DARPA, artificial intelligence advances by Google, and updates to the Surface Pro line by Microsoft amidst forthcoming rumors of MacBook updates at WWDC in June by Apple. They also talked about recent “bot blunders” (related to AI and machine learning), ongoing fake news challenges to information validation (thanks Newt Gingrich), a company demonstrating the potential for journalism platforms to make money with a subscription model, and the interesting ways Apple is reinventing its retail experience in malls for post-modern (and online) shoppers. Geeks of the week included the Burstio app for iOS (Wes) and the “Amazon Basics” product line (Jason). The next few weeks we’ll be having some guests on the show and may alter our start times, so please follow @edtechSR on Twitter to stay updated about changes. As always thanks for tuning in and please share your feedback!

Shownotes:

  1. EdTech Situation Room Listener Survey: wfryer.me/edtechsr
  2. Follow @edtechSR on Twitter!
  3. Audio podcast feed (Subscribe with iTunes or Stitcher)
  4. Video version on YouTube
  5. Check out our video podcast feed and subscribe to our YouTube Channel (episodes also in this YouTube playlist)
  6. Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) – blog: blog.ncce.org
  7. Wes Fryer (@wfryer) – blog: speedofcreativity.org
  8. It’s true: Gmail can now reply to emails for you (CNET, 17 May 2017)
  9. Google’s Perfect Future Will Always Be Just Around The Corner by @pierce (Wired, 19 May 2017)
  10. [VIDEO] Past, Present and Future of AI / Machine Learning (Google I/O ’17)
  11. [VIDEO] Inspire Your Students with the 2017 Google I/O Opening Animated Video (@wfryer, 18 May 2017)
  12. [VIDEO] Watch Boston Dynamics’ dog-like robot do party tricks (Tech Insider, 19 May 2017)
  13. [VIDEO] Introducing Handle (Boston Dynamics, 27 Feb 2017)
  14. The best part of Google’s conference was a teen who taught himself to code to diagnose cancer (Business Insider, 17 May 2017)
  15. Nvidia Metropolis video analytics paves the way for AI cities (Venturebeat, May 8, 2017)
  16. [VIDEO] Deepmind CEO: Artificial Intelligence (AI) invents new knowledge & teaches human new theories (13 April 2017)
  17. Google parent company Alphabet has made the most AI acquisitions (ReCode, 19 May 2017)
  18. Jessica Lessin built a business to prove information doesn’t have to be free (Recode, 18 May 2017)
  19. Microsoft unveils new Surface Pro ahead of Apple Mac & iPad Pro refreshes (AppleInsider, 22 May 2017)
  20. Apple to update MacBooks at WWDC 2017, including possible Air, Pro refreshes (AppleInsider, 16 May 2017)
  21. Microsoft is placing a big bet on its new Surface family (The Verge, 23 May 2017)
  22. [VIDEO] Interview with Angela Ahrendts, Senior VP of Apple Retail (11 min, LinkedIn)
  23. Jason’s Geek of the Week: Amazon Basics Products
  24. Wes’s Geek of the Week: Burstio for iOS (via CNET) – Example with USAF Thunderbirds

Go by ivanx, on Flickr
Go” (CC BY 2.0) by ivanx

EdTech Situation Room Episode 35

Welcome to episode 35 of the EdTech Situation Room from January 4, 2017, where technology news meets educational analysis. This was our first show of 2017, starting our second year of live webcasts on YouTube and archived audio podcasts! Visit https://edtechsr.com/links to access all referenced links from our show (as well as some we didn’t have time to discuss.) This week Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) and Wesley Fryer (@wfryer) discussed news coming out of the soon-to-start Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada. They also discussed the rise of VPAs (virtual personal assistants), genomics and the potential of CRISPR to not only transform agriculture but also impact a wide variety of medical applications, our need for more family-oriented connection apps, and the recent legislative victory of French workers over the tyranny of work email. They also talked about “The Trump Effect” as described by Walt Mossberg as well as the ability for Google’s DeepMind AI to read lips better than human beings. Follow us on Twitter @edtechSR to stay up to date about upcoming show times. Please refer to our podcast shownotes for links to all referenced articles, videos, and resources from the show, and take a few minutes to complete our listener survey on http://wfryer.me/edtechsr.

Shownotes:

  1. EdTech Situation Room Listener Survey: wfryer.me/edtechsr
  2. Follow @edtechSR on Twitter!
  3. Audio podcast feed (Subscribe with iTunes or Stitcher)
  4. Video version on YouTube
  5. Check out our video podcast feed and subscribe to our YouTube Channel (episodes also in this YouTube playlist)
  6. Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach)
  7. Wes Fryer (@wfryer)
  8. What Google, Microsoft, and Amazon did this week in the race to be everyone’s favorite virtual assistant (Venturebeat, 17 Dec 2016)
  9. Gartner Says by 2019, 20 Percent of User Interactions With Smartphones Will Take Place via VPAs (Gartner, 21 Dec 2016)
  10. Mattel’s $300 Echo clone will read your children bedtime stories (Verge, 3 Jan 2017)
  11. Google’s DeepMind AI can lip-read TV shows better than a pro (New Scientist, 21 Nov 2016)
  12. Genomics: How CRISPR is changing the food industry (Food Dive, 21 Dec 2016)
  13. Tales of Digital Distraction: French workers have won the right to ignore business emails that arrive after hours (CNN; 2 January 2017)
  14. Technology and Families: We need more apps and devices designed to help families connect to each other (Re/Code, 4 January 2017)
  15. President Trump: Mossberg: The Trump effect (Re/Code, 4 January 2017)
  16. Book Review: The Industries of the Future by Alec Ross (Wes Fryer, 23 December 2016)
  17. Wes’ Geek of the Week: Hover Camera (@hovercamera) https://gethover.com/
  18. Jason’s Geek of the Week: Text Now, free texting and dirt cheap pre-paid mobile https://www.textnow.com/