EdTechSR Ep 321: AI Integration Insights

Welcome to episode 321 (“AI Integration Insights”) of the EdTech Situation Room from March 6, 2024, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week, Dr. Jason Neiffer (aicentrist.com) and Dr. Wesley Fryer (wesfryer.com) explored the ever-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence and its profound implications for education and technology. Amidst the scenic backdrop of the NCTIES conference in Raleigh, North Carolina, and the anticipation of spring break, the co-hosts delved into pressing topics that captivate the attention of educators and tech enthusiasts alike. The conversation kicked off with insights into the significance of AI integration in educational settings, reflecting on how these technologies are reshaping teaching, learning, and professional development. The co-hosts examined the latest developments in AI legislation, highlighting its impact on educational technology and policy. The discussion ventured into the realm of digital privacy, with a focus on recent executive orders aimed at curbing the sale of personal data to foreign entities, underscoring the ongoing challenges and ethical considerations surrounding data privacy and security. A highlight of the episode was the exploration of innovative AI tools and platforms, offering a glimpse into the future of education and the potential of AI to enhance learning experiences. Dr. Neiffer shared his experiences with AI integration in the Montana Digital Academy, while Dr. Fryer provided insights from his role as a middle school media literacy and STEM teacher. In light of the NCTIES 2024 conference, the co-hosts discussed the importance of collaborative professional development and the exchange of ideas among educators. The episode also touched on broader implications of AI on educational practices, the dynamics of digital education, and the role of technology in addressing contemporary challenges in the education sector. “Geeks of the Week” included notable mentions of the latest AI-driven educational tools and resources, offering valuable insights for educators aiming to leverage technology in enhancing learning environments. Our show was live-streamed and archived simultaneously on YouTube Live as well as Facebook Live via StreamYard.com. Please follow us on Facebook, Mastodon and Substack, and join LIVE on Wednesday nights if you can. All shownotes are available on edtechSR.com/links. AI Disclosure: An initial draft of this episode summary was generated using youtubetranscript.com and a custom GPT on ChatGPT, as well as options for our show title! Stay savvy and safe!

Shownotes

  1. Subscribe to our EdTechSR Substack Newsletter!
  2. EdTech Situation Room Listener Survey: wfryer.me/edtechsr
  3. Follow EdTechSR on Facebook, Mastodon and Substack!
  4. Audio podcast feed (Subscribe with iTunes or Stitcher)
  5. Video version on YouTube
  6. Check out our video podcast feed and subscribe to our YouTube Channel (episodes also in this YouTube playlist)
  7. Jason Neiffer (Mastodon: mastodon.cloud/@neif) – aicentrist.com – blog: blog.ncce.org
  8. Wes Fryer (Mastodon: mastodon.cloud/@wfryer) – wesfryer.com/after
  9. Apple Has a New Open-Source AI Image Editor (LifeHacker, 7 Feb 2024)
  10. Google Chatbot’s A.I. Images Put People of Color in Nazi-Era Uniforms (The New York Times; 22 February 2024)
  11. Google Chatbot’s A.I. Images Put People of Color in Nazi-Era Uniforms #GiftLink https://bit.ly/3wQ9ff8 
  12. Claude 3 Released – (Anthropic; 4 March 2024)
  13. Ideogram 1.0 Released (Ideogram; 28 February 2024)
  14. The AI wars heat up with Claude 3, claimed to have “near-human” abilities (ArsTechnica, 4 Mar 2024)
  15. Windows 11 Gets its First Big Update of the Year With Copilot and Accessibility Improvements (Thurott.com; 29 February 2024)
  16. Biden executive order aims to stop Russia and China from buying Americans’ personal data (Engadget; 28 February 2024)
  17. Walmart isn’t buying Vizio for its hardware. It wants the TV maker’s ad business (Fast Company; 20 February 2024)
  18. $30 doorbell cameras can be easily hijacked, says Consumer Reports (ArsTechnica, 28 Feb 2024)
  19. Microsoft is Killing the Windows Subsystem for Android and Amazon Appstore on Windows 11 (Thurrott; 5 March 2024)
  20. Apple unveils the new 13- and 15‑inch MacBook Air with the powerful M3 chip (Apple Newsroom; 4 March 2024)
  21. Jason’s Geek of the Week: New York Public Library’s Digital Collections
  22. Wes’ Geeks of the Week: [VIDEO] Expert Behind Google’s Secret A.I. Writing Tool | Steven Johnson | How I Write Podcast and [PODCAST] How to Fix the Internet: “Open Source Beats Authoritarianism”
EdTechSR Ep 321: AI Integration Insights” (CC BY 2.0) by Wesley Fryer

EdTechSR Ep 320 Privacy and Platform Shifts

Welcome to episode 320 (“Privacy and Platform Shifts”) of the EdTech Situation Room from February 21, 2024, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week, Dr. Jason Neiffer and Dr. Wesley Fryer, joining from their diverse locales of Montana and North Carolina, dove into a rich dialogue exploring the evolving landscape of digital privacy, the shift in platforms due to new technological integrations, and the profound implications for educators and learners. In a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, the co-hosts unpacked the potential of AI in revolutionizing not just educational practices but also the broader societal interactions, drawing attention to the pressing issues of digital droughts affecting agricultural economies and the potential for wildfire risks. The discussion ventured into the realms of policy, with insights into legislation aimed at protecting youth online, and the innovative strides in virtual reality, highlighting the quest for immersive learning environments. As digital citizenship continues to be a pivotal theme, Fryer and Neiffer emphasized the importance of navigating the complexities of tech integration with foresight and ethical consideration. “Geeks of the Week” included an exploration of perplexity AI as a tool for enhancing research and the groundbreaking developments in virtual reality, pointing towards a future where education transcends traditional boundaries. Our show was live-streamed and archived simultaneously on YouTube Live as well as Facebook Live via StreamYard.com. Please follow our @EdtechSR page on Facebook, mastodon.education/@edtechsr on Mastodon for updates, subscribe to us on Substack, and join LIVE on Wednesday nights if you can. All shownotes are available on edtechSR.com/links. AI Disclosure: An initial draft of this episode summary was generated using youtubetranscript.com and a custom GPT on ChatGPT, as well as options for our show title! Stay savvy and safe!

Shownotes

  1. Subscribe to our EdTechSR Substack Newsletter!
  2. EdTech Situation Room Listener Survey: wfryer.me/edtechsr
  3. Follow EdTechSR on Facebook, Mastodon and Substack!
  4. Audio podcast feed (Subscribe with iTunes or Stitcher)
  5. Video version on YouTube
  6. Check out our video podcast feed and subscribe to our YouTube Channel (episodes also in this YouTube playlist)
  7. Jason Neiffer (Mastodon: mastodon.cloud/@neif) – aicentrist.com – blog: blog.ncce.org
  8. Wes Fryer (Mastodon: mastodon.cloud/@wfryer) – wesfryer.com/after
  9. High school senior: Why aren’t more teachers embracing AI? (CNN OpEd, 16 Sept 2024)
  10. MTDA AI Framework via Michigan Virtual
  11. Sora by OpenAI (official)
  12. Musk’s X sold checkmarks to Hezbollah and other terrorist groups, report says (ArsTechnica, 14 Feb 2024)
  13. New Surgeon General Advisory Raises Alarm about the Devastating Impact of the Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation in the United States (US Dept of Human Services, May 2023)
  14. Senate poised to pass biggest piece of tech regulation in decades (Washington Post; 15 February 2024)
  15. Kids Online Safety Shouldn’t Require Massive Online Censorship and Surveillance: 2023 Year in Review (EFF, 28 Dec 2023)
  16. Media Literacy
  17. Here’s why conspiracy theories about Taylor Swift and the Super Bowl are spreading (NPR, 1 Feb 2024)
  18. After years of losing, it’s finally feds’ turn to troll ransomware group (ArsTechnica, 20 Feb 2024)
  19. Hardware
  20. After trying the Vision Pro, Mark Zuckerberg says Quest 3 ‘is the better product, period’ (The Verge; 13 February 2024)
  21. Wes’ Geeks of the Week:: Rewind: Third Wave Internet with Ben Tarnoff (Reimagining the Internet, 18 Jan 2024) and Grandparents of Media Literacy and wesfryer.com/after (reboot), 
  22. Jason’s Geek of the Week: Matt Wolfe Channel (YouTube)
EdTechSR Ep 320 Privacy and Platform Shifts” (CC BY 2.0) by Wesley Fryer

EdTechSR Ep 319 Tech Titans Testify

Welcome to episode 319 (“Tech Titans Testify”) of the EdTech Situation Room from January 31, 2024, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week, Dr. Jason Neiffer (aicentrist.com) and Dr. Wesley Fryer (wesfryer.com) delved into a variety of current topics at the intersection of technology, education, and policy. Discussions kicked off with an exploration of the unusual weather patterns affecting the United States, including an unprecedented heatwave followed by a forecast of more snow, showcasing the bizarre weather phenomena exacerbated by climate change. The conversation quickly pivoted to pressing cybersecurity concerns, highlighting FBI warnings about potential Chinese cyberattacks on U.S. critical infrastructure. The episode also covered the testimony of tech CEOs before Congress, where topics ranged from social media’s impact on youth to digital privacy challenges and the responsibilities of tech companies in moderating content. In a lighter vein, Dr. Fryer shared exciting updates from the Webb Space Telescope, offering a glimpse into the universe’s marvels and the scientific community’s latest discoveries. The episode further discussed the rise of artificial intelligence, its implications for education and security, and the innovative uses of AI in creating new educational content and tools. Reflecting on the digital landscape, the hosts touched upon the evolving role of smart speakers and the potential shifts in browser technologies, pointing to a future where technology is increasingly integrated into our daily lives and learning environments. “Geeks of the Week” included a nod to the Hardfork podcast for its insightful analysis of media and journalism’s digital transformation and the Voices of DARPA podcast, shedding light on defense research projects that could influence future educational technologies. Our show was live-streamed and archived simultaneously on YouTube Live as well as Facebook Live via StreamYard.com. Please follow our @EdtechSR page on Facebook, mastodon.education/@edtechsr on Mastodon for updates, and join LIVE on Wednesday nights if you can. All shownotes are available on edtechSR.com/links. AI Disclosure: An initial draft of this episode summary was generated using youtubetranscript.com and a custom GPT on ChatGPT, as well as options for our show title! Stay savvy and safe!

Shownotes

  1. Subscribe to our EdTechSR Substack Newsletter!
  2. EdTech Situation Room Listener Survey: wfryer.me/edtechsr
  3. Follow EdTechSR on Facebook, Mastodon and Substack!
  4. Audio podcast feed (Subscribe with iTunes or Stitcher)
  5. Video version on YouTube
  6. Check out our video podcast feed and subscribe to our YouTube Channel (episodes also in this YouTube playlist)
  7. Jason Neiffer (Mastodon: mastodon.cloud/@neif) – aicentrist.com – blog: blog.ncce.org
  8. Wes Fryer (Mastodon: mastodon.cloud/@wfryer) – wesfryer.com/after
  9. ChatGPT’s new @-mentions bring multiple personalities into your AI convo (ArsTechnica, 31 Jan 2024)
  10. Google News Is Boosting Garbage AI-Generated Articles (404 Media; 18 January 2023) – Archive.today version
  11. Nightshade, the tool that ‘poisons’ data, gives artists a fighting chance against AI (TechCrunch; 26 January 2024)
  12. Toxic Telegram group produced X’s X-rated fake AI Taylor Swift images, report says (ArsTechnica, 26 Jan 2024)
  13. Teen boys use AI to make fake nudes of classmates, sparking police probe (ArsTechnica, 2 Nov 2023)
  14. FBI director warns that Chinese hackers are preparing to ‘wreak havoc’ on US critical infrastructure (CNN, 31 Jan 2024)
  15. Amazon confirms that Fire TV is dropping Android in deleted job listing (9 to 5 Google; 31 January 2024)
  16. Accusations, tears and rants: 5 takeaways from today’s tech CEO hearing (CNN, 31 Jan 2024)
  17. Pew report shows TikTok’s rise and YouTube’s ubiquity (TechCrunch; 31 January 2024)
  18. The Media and Democracy Project names Elon Musk the “2023 Disinformer of the Year” (Media & Democracy Project, 31 Jan 2024)
  19. Apple Vision Pro review: magic, until it’s not (The Verge; 30 January 2024)
  20. The Vision Pro (Daring Fireball; 30 January 2024)
  21. Apple is finally allowing full versions of Chrome and Firefox to run on the iPhone (The Verge; 25 January 2024)
  22. Positive Misc
  23. NASA’s Webb Depicts Staggering Structure in 19 Nearby Spiral Galaxies (NASA Webb Mission Team, 29 Jan 2024)
  24. Jason’s Geek of the Week: Drop.com
  25. Wes’ Geeks of the Week: Mediapocalypse Now + a16z’s Chris Dixon Defends Crypto + HatGPT (Hard Fork, 26 Jan 2024) and Voices from DARPA Podcast: Episode 73: The AI Cyber Challenge – CTF, Code, and Critical Infrastructure
EdTechSR Ep 319 Tech Titans Testify” (CC BY 2.0) by Wesley Fryer

EdTechSR Ep 318 Deepfake Democratic Threats

Welcome to episode 318 (“Deepfake Democratic Threats”) of the EdTech Situation Room from January 24, 2024, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week, Dr. Jason Neiffer (aicentrist.com) and Dr. Wesley Fryer (wesfryer.com) embarked on a comprehensive exploration of the latest developments in artificial intelligence, copyright laws, and the impact of technology in education and society at large. The conversation kicked off with a deep dive into Meta’s investment in Nvidia AI chips, underscoring Mark Zuckerberg’s commitment to bolstering AI capabilities with billions of dollars. This move signals a significant shift towards more advanced AI integrations across various platforms and services. In the realm of AI and intellectual property, the hosts discussed the new certificates for copyright-compliant AI, highlighting the challenges and controversies surrounding AI-generated content and its compliance with copyright laws. Despite these efforts, notable tools like ChatGPT have faced scrutiny for potential copyright issues. A concerning trend in the misuse of AI technology was addressed through the discussion of a fake Joe Biden robocall, which misled voters in New Hampshire. This incident illustrates the growing problem of deepfake technologies and their potential to disrupt democratic processes. The hosts also delved into the legal and ethical dimensions of AI, discussing perspectives on whether training generative AI models on copyrighted works constitutes fair use. This topic sparked a debate on the future of intellectual property in an AI-dominated landscape. From an economic viewpoint, a MIT study shed light on the limitations of job automation by AI, suggesting that only a fraction of tasks involving vision are economically viable for AI automation. This finding prompts a reevaluation of AI’s impact on the workforce and the need for a balanced approach to integrating these technologies. On the technological front, updates to Google Chrome and ChromeOS were discussed, including new generative AI features and enhancements aimed at improving user productivity and focus. The hosts also touched on Google’s latest AI video generator, Lumiere, capable of creating whimsical scenarios featuring cute animals, showcasing the lighter side of AI advancements. Apple’s recent developments were a hot topic, with discussions on the App Store rule changes, the sale of Vision Pro headsets, and innovative features like Stolen Device Protection to safeguard iPhones against theft. The conversation also highlighted Apple’s plans to integrate generative AI into iPhones, emphasizing the company’s strategic direction towards embracing AI technology. In education, the release of Microsoft’s AI-powered reading tutor as a free resource marked a significant milestone in leveraging AI to enhance learning experiences. The update to the National Ed-Tech Plan, its first since 2017, was praised for its forward-looking vision in integrating technology into education. Finally, the hosts reflected on the dire consequences of accessing forbidden content in North Korea, as highlighted in a BBC report, and the vulnerabilities of cash apps in facilitating theft, underscoring the broader societal implications of technology adoption and security. Our show was live-streamed and archived simultaneously on YouTube Live as well as Facebook Live via StreamYard.com. Please follow our @EdtechSR page on Facebook, mastodon.education/@edtechsr on Mastodon for updates, and join LIVE on Wednesday nights if you can. All shownotes are available on edtechSR.com/links. AI Disclosure: An initial draft of this episode summary was generated using youtubetranscript.com and a custom GPT on ChatGPT, as well as options for our show title! Stay savvy and safe!

Shownotes

  1. Subscribe to our EdTechSR Substack Newsletter!
  2. EdTech Situation Room Listener Survey: wfryer.me/edtechsr
  3. Follow EdTechSR on Facebook, Mastodon and Substack!
  4. Audio podcast feed (Subscribe with iTunes or Stitcher)
  5. Video version on YouTube
  6. Check out our video podcast feed and subscribe to our YouTube Channel (episodes also in this YouTube playlist)
  7. Jason Neiffer (Mastodon: mastodon.cloud/@neif) – aicentrist.com – blog: blog.ncce.org
  8. Wes Fryer (Mastodon: mastodon.cloud/@wfryer) – wesfryer.com/after
  9. Mark Zuckerberg indicates Meta is spending billions of dollars on Nvidia AI chips (CNBC; 18 January 2024) 
  10. Certificates for copyright-compliant AI are here — but ChatGPT won’t get one (The Next Web; 18 January 2024)
  11. Fake Joe Biden robocall tells New Hampshire Democrats not to vote Tuesday (MSNBC, 22 Jan 2024)
  12. Is A.I. the Death of I.P.? (THe New Yorker; 15 January 2024)
  13. Training Generative AI Models on Copyrighted Works Is Fair Use (Association of Research Libraries, 23 Jan 2024)
  14. Rethinking AI’s impact: MIT CSAIL study reveals economic limits to job automation (MIT; 22 January 2024)
  15. Google’s next Chrome update adds three new generative AI features (Engadget, 23 Jan 2024)
  16. ChromeOS 122 bringing Focus Mode to Chromebooks (About Chromebooks; 21 January 2024)
  17. How to customize your mouse buttons on a Chromebook [VIDEO] (ChromeUnboxed; 6 January 2024)
  18. Google’s latest AI video generator can render cute animals in implausible situations (ArsTechnica, 24 Jan 2024) – Lumiere
  19. Apple’s App Store rule changes draw sharp rebuke from critics (Bloomberg; 18 January 2024)
  20. Kuo: Apple Has Already Sold Up to 180,000 Vision Pro Headsets (MacRumors; 22 January 2024)
  21. Apple’s Stolen Device Protection feature is now live. Here’s how it can help protect your iPhone (CBS News; 23 January 2024)
  22. Apple boosts plans to bring generative AI to iPhones (FT, 23 Jan 2024)
  23. Bots May Have Nabbed Thousands of Apple Vision Pro Preorders (PC Mag, 24 Jan 2024)
  24. Microsoft makes its AI-powered reading tutor free (TechCrunch, 18 Jan 2024)
  25. National Ed-Tech Plan Gets First Update Since 2017 (Government Technology, 24 Jan 2024)
  26. North Korea: Rare footage shows teens sentenced to hard labour over K-drama (BBC, 18 Jan 2024)
  27. Mugger take your phone? Cash apps too easily let thieves drain accounts, DA says (ArsTechnica, 24 Jan 2024)
  28. Jason’s Geeks of the Week: https://clipdrop.co/https://www.aicentrist.com/
  29. Wes’ Geeks of the Week: Roll Call Question Random GeneratorRecent AI Discoveries (thread)Invidioushttps://www.wesfryer.com/after/

EdTechSR Ep 317 Digital Privacy Predicaments

Welcome to episode 317 (“Digital Privacy Predicaments”) of the EdTech Situation Room from January 17, 2024, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week, Dr. Jason Neiffer (AIcentrist.com) and Dr. Wesley Fryer (wesfryer.com/after) delved into pressing issues surrounding digital privacy, the ethical implications of AI in education, and the latest advancements in EdTech tools and platforms. Highlights of the discussion included the evolving landscape of digital privacy laws, innovative uses of AI in the classroom, and the potential impacts of new technology policies on educators and students. The episode also covered key updates from major tech companies and their influence on educational technology. “Geeks of the Week” featured insightful resources and tools beneficial for educators. Although the specific “Geeks of the Week” links from this episode are not provided here, they typically include cutting-edge educational tools, tips, and articles shared by Jason and Wes, contributing to the professional growth of educators and the enhancement of learning environments with technology. Our show was live-streamed and archived simultaneously on YouTube Live as well as Facebook Live via StreamYard.com. Please follow @edtechsr@mastodon.education on Mastodon for updates, and join LIVE on Wednesday nights if you can. All shownotes are available on edtechSR.com/links. AI Disclosure: An initial draft of this episode summary was generated using youtubetranscript.com and a custom GPT on ChatGPT 4, as well as options for our show title! Stay savvy and safe!

Shownotes

  1. Subscribe to our EdTechSR Substack Newsletter!
  2. EdTech Situation Room Listener Survey: wfryer.me/edtechsr
  3. Follow EdTechSR on Facebook, Mastodon and Substack!
  4. Audio podcast feed (Subscribe with iTunes or Stitcher)
  5. Video version on YouTube
  6. Check out our video podcast feed and subscribe to our YouTube Channel (episodes also in this YouTube playlist)
  7. Jason Neiffer (Mastodon: mastodon.cloud/@neif) – aicentrist.com – blog: blog.ncce.org
  8. Wes Fryer (Mastodon: mastodon.cloud/@wfryer) – wesfryer.com/after
  9. Microsoft launches a Pro plan for Copilot (TechCrunch; 15 January 2024)
  10. AI-Generated ‘George Carlin’ Comedy Special Blasted by Comedian’s Daughter (Rolling Stone; 11 January 2024)
  11. George Carlin: I’m Glad I’m Dead (2024) – Full Special (Dudesy via YouTube) CAUTION: Adult Themes and Salty Language
  12. OpenAI must defend ChatGPT fabrications after failing to defeat libel suit (ArsTechnica, 17 Jan 2024)
  13. Microsoft Tops Apple to Become Most Valuable Public Company (NYTimes, 12 Jan 2024) #GiftLink
  14. App Store to Be ‘Split in Two’ Ahead of EU iPhone Sideloading Deadline (MacRumors, 15 Jan 2024)
  15. Teen sued Utah over social media law requiring curfew for minors (ArsTechnica, 17 Jan 2024)
  16. Substack Realizes Maybe It Doesn’t Want To Help Literal Nazis Make Money After All (But Only Literal Nazis) (TechDirt, 10 Jan 2024)
  17. Hard Fork Podcast (NY Times)
  18. Apple Vision Pro’s Lengthy Sales Pitch Will Include 25-Minute Demo (Bloomberg; 14 January 2024)
  19. Supreme Court upholds Apple vs. Epic ruling, Apple must allow app developers to link to other payment systems (9 to 5 Mac; 16 January 2024)
  20. Even more Californians could be moving to Austin after Apple shuttered a San Diego office (San Antonio Express, 17 Jan 2024)
  21. Researcher uncovers one of the biggest password breaches in recent history (ArsTechnica, 17 Jan 2024)
  22. Passkeys may not be for you, but they are safe and easy—here’s why (ArsTechnica, 12 May 2023)
  23. CES 2024: AI everything, what we expect in Las Vegas and all the announcements so far (Engadget; 8 January 2024)
  24. The GE Profile Smart Indoor Smoker brings BBQ inside for $1,000 (Engadet, 8 Jan 2024)
  25. Jason’s Geek of the Week: FlightAware
  26. Wes’ Geek of the Week: Free virtual AI EdTech PlayDate: Saturday, Jan 20th, 10am to Noon ET (EventBrite Registration)
Digital Privacy Predicaments” (CC BY 2.0) by Wesley Fryer

EdTechSR Ep 316 AI Legislative Insights

Welcome to episode 316 (“AI Legislative Insights”) of the EdTech Situation Room from January 10, 2024, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week, Dr. Jason Neiffer (aicentrist.com) and Dr. Wesley Fryer (wesfryer.com/after) discussed a range of topics focusing on the intersection of technology, education, and policy. Key discussions included the latest developments in AI legislation and its impact on educational technology, in-depth analysis of current tech trends, and thoughtful debates on various EdTech policies. The episode also delved into the broader implications of AI on educational practices and the dynamics of digital education. ‘Geeks of the Week’ included the Everyday AI Podcast, Beeper (software which integrates multiple chat apps) and the AI Resource Guides from EdTech PlayDate CLT. Our show was live-streamed and archived simultaneously on YouTube Live as well as Facebook Live via StreamYard.com. Please follow @edtechsr@mastodon.education on Mastodon for updates, and join LIVE on Wednesday nights if you can. All shownotes are available on edtechSR.com/links. AI Disclosure: An initial draft of this episode summary was generated using youtubetranscript.com and a custom GPT on ChatGPT 4, as well as options for our show title! Stay savvy and safe!

Shownotes

  1. Subscribe to our EdTechSR Substack Newsletter!
  2. EdTech Situation Room Listener Survey: wfryer.me/edtechsr
  3. Follow EdTechSR on Facebook, Mastodon and Substack!
  4. Audio podcast feed (Subscribe with iTunes or Stitcher)
  5. Video version on YouTube
  6. Check out our video podcast feed and subscribe to our YouTube Channel (episodes also in this YouTube playlist)
  7. Jason Neiffer (Mastodon: mastodon.cloud/@neif) – aicentrist.com – blog: blog.ncce.org
  8. Wes Fryer (Mastodon: mastodon.cloud/@wfryer) – wesfryer.com/after
  9. In case you missed it, ChatGPT rival ‘Copilot’ is now on iOS and Android (Mashable; 2 January 2024)
  10. The New York Times Sues Microsoft, OpenAI for Copyright Infringement (Thurott; 27 December 2023)
  11. Exposing the Rotten Reality of AI Training Data (Podcast, Tech Policy Press, 31 Dec 2023)
  12. Google settles $5 billion privacy lawsuit over tracking people using ‘incognito mode’ (ABC News, 29 Dec 2023)
  13. Facebook, Instagram block teens from sensitive content, even from friends (ArsTechnica, 9 Jan 2024)
  14. AirTag saves Christmas, tracks down luggage stolen from Charlotte airport (Apple Insider, 29 Dec 2023)
  15. Apple Just Broke a Tradition It Held for 12 Years (Mac Rumors; 1 January 2024)
  16. Column: Meet the most dangerous quack in America (LA Times, 9 Jan 2024)
  17. Tips for sorting online fact from fiction (NPR KUOW, 3 Jan 2024)
  18. Jason’s Geek of the Week: Everyday AI Podcast
  19. Wes’ Geek of the Week: BeeperAI Resource Guides (PlayDateCLT)
EdTech Situation Room – AI Comic Style” (CC BY 2.0) by Wesley Fryer

EdTechSR Ep 315 Debriefing Our AI PlayDate

Welcome to episode 315 (“Debriefing Our AI PlayDate”) of the EdTech Situation Room from January 3, 2024, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week, Dr. Jason Neiffer (AIcentrist.com) and Dr. Wesley Fryer (wesfryer.com/after), along with their special guest, Dr. Heather Kaiser, delved into a variety of thought-provoking topics. Dr. Kaiser, drawing on her experience as an online fifth-grade teacher, shared valuable insights on the effectiveness of Learning Management Systems and strategies for engaging students in virtual classrooms. The conversation then shifted to the burgeoning role of AI in education, exploring innovative AI tools and their potential to revolutionize teaching and learning. Highlighting the gamification of education, Dr. Kaiser shared how she incorporates tools like Classcraft, enhanced by AI technologies, to create immersive and engaging learning experiences. The episode also touched upon the significance of collaborative professional development and the sharing of resources, with a focus on “EdTech PlayDates” as a platform for such interactions. Discussions on emerging technologies brought to light new developments like ARM-based processors in Microsoft devices, Microsoft Co-Pilot, and their implications for education. The co-hosts also addressed pressing issues like the mental health impacts of social media on adolescents, emphasizing the need for regulatory measures and responsible technology usage. To conclude, the “Geeks of the Week” segment featured a variety of tools and resources. Dr. Kaiser recommended Mizu and Snorkel for creating interactive learning experiences, while Dr. Neiffer highlighted Sunno, an AI-powered music creation tool. This episode offers a comprehensive look at the intersection of AI, technology, and education, providing valuable insights for educators navigating the digital landscape. Our show was live-streamed and archived simultaneously on YouTube Live as well as Facebook Live via StreamYard.com. Please follow @edtechsr@mastodon.education on Mastodon for updates, and join LIVE on Wednesday nights if you can. All shownotes are available on edtechSR.com/links. AI Disclosure: An initial draft of this episode summary was generated using youtubetranscript.com and a custom GPT on ChatGPT 4, as well as options for our show title! Stay savvy and safe!

Shownotes

  1. Subscribe to our EdTechSR Substack Newsletter!
  2. EdTech Situation Room Listener Survey: wfryer.me/edtechsr
  3. Follow EdTechSR on Facebook, Mastodon and Substack!
  4. Audio podcast feed (Subscribe with iTunes or Stitcher)
  5. Video version on YouTube
  6. Check out our video podcast feed and subscribe to our YouTube Channel (episodes also in this YouTube playlist)
  7. Jason Neiffer (Mastodon: mastodon.cloud/@neif – Twitter: @techsavvyteach) – blog: blog.ncce.org
  8. Wes Fryer (Mastodon: mastodon.cloud/@wfryer) – wesfryer.com/after
  9. Archived resources from 27 Dec 2023 PlayDate
  10. 20 Jan 2024: In-person EdTech PlayDate – AI Edition (Charlotte, NC)
  11. Report: Surface Pro 10 and Laptop 6 Are Coming in Spring 2024 With Intel and Qualcomm Chips (Thurott; 28 December 2023)
  12. Youth suicide rates rose 62% from 2007 to 2021: ‘People feel hopeless,’ one recent grad says (CNBC, 5 Dec 3023)
  13. To Minimize Harms and Maximize Benefits of Social Media to Adolescent Health, New Report Recommends Setting Industrywide Standards, New Protections Against Harassment (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 13 Dec 2022)
  14. A New Kind of AI Copy Can Fully Replicate Famous People. The Law is Powerless. (Politico, 30 Dec 2023)
  15. Heather’s Geeks of the Week: https://www.classcraft.com/https://mizou.com/https://snorkel.ai/ 
  16. Jason’s Geeks of the Week: https://copilot.microsoft.com/ … Music Generator by Suno
  17. Wes’ Geeks of the Week: Chrome browser extension “Show YouTube Video Upload Date” and  “Breaking the Social Media Prism: How to Make Our Platforms Less Polarizing” by Chris Bail
EdTech Playdate!” (CC BY 2.0) by Wesley Fryer

EdTech PlayDate (Dec 2023) – AI Edition

Are you an educator interested in learning more about AI / artificial intelligence tools, and how they can be used powerfully in both professional and personal contexts? If so, join Jason Neiffer and Wesley Fryer for a FREE Zoom event on Wednesday, December 27, 2023! We’ll spend time PLAYING together with AI tools including ChatGPT, ChatGPT Plus, Bard, Claude, and more. This is NOT a traditionally formatted “sit and get” webinar, this is an online “EdTech PlayDate.” Registration is FREE and limited to 100 people.

EdTech PlayDate Dec 2023 – AI Edition” (CC BY 2.0) by Wesley Fryer

To learn more about the “PlayDate” professional development model and some post events, check out:

If you have not already, please check out and subscribe to Jason and Wes’ “EdTech Situation Room” podcast too! This event is also shared on Facebook. Please let other educators you know, who might be interested in joining us, know about this upcoming event!

EdTechSR Ep 314 Tech Giants’ AI Race

Welcome to episode 314 (“Tech Giants’ AI Race”) of the EdTech Situation Room from December 20, 2023, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week, Dr. Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) and Dr. Wesley Fryer (wesfryer.com/after) discussed the rapid advancements and implications of AI technologies, particularly the intensifying competition among tech giants in the AI space. The episode delved into the latest developments in AI-powered tools and services, exploring how these innovations are reshaping the landscape of information access, content creation, and digital interaction. Additionally, the conversation touched on the ethical and societal challenges posed by these technologies, including concerns about privacy, misinformation, and the potential for misuse. Amidst these discussions, the show also highlighted the importance of media literacy and critical thinking skills in navigating the increasingly AI-driven world. “Geeks of the Week” included the Vivaldi web browser, “Seven Things We Learned Analyzing 515 Million Wordles” by the New York Times, and Vanity Fair’s ”  and Inside The New York Times’ Big Bet on Games.” Our show was live-streamed and archived simultaneously on YouTube Live as well as Facebook Live via StreamYard.com. Please follow @edtechsr@mastodon.education on Mastodon for updates, and join LIVE on Wednesday nights if you can. All shownotes are available on edtechSR.com/links. AI Disclosure: An initial draft of this episode summary was generated using youtubetranscript.com and a custom GPT on ChatGPT 4, as well as options for our show title! Stay savvy and safe!

Shownotes

  1. Subscribe to our EdTechSR Substack Newsletter!
  2. EdTech Situation Room Listener Survey: wfryer.me/edtechsr
  3. Follow EdTechSR on Facebook, Mastodon and Substack!
  4. Audio podcast feed (Subscribe with iTunes or Stitcher)
  5. Video version on YouTube
  6. Check out our video podcast feed and subscribe to our YouTube Channel (episodes also in this YouTube playlist)
  7. Jason Neiffer (Mastodon: mastodon.cloud/@neif – Twitter: @techsavvyteach) – blog: blog.ncce.org
  8. Wes Fryer (Mastodon: mastodon.cloud/@wfryer) – wesfryer.com/after
  9. Cheating Fears Over Chatbots Were Overblown, New Research Suggests (New York Times; 13 December 2023)
  10. ‘Art will never be the same’ | Charlotte artist has her work stolen by AI (WCNC Charlotte, 20 Dec 2023)
    1. https://haveibeentrained.com 
  11. Microsoft Copilot is Getting GPT-4 Turbo, New DALL-E 3 Model, And More (Thurott; 5 December 2023)
  12. YouTube is Autogenerating Videos for Songs Advocating the Expulsion of Muslims from India (Bellingcat, 16 Oct 2023)
  13. Facebook Is Being Overrun With Stolen, AI-Generated Images That People Think Are Real (404 Media, 18 Dec 2023)
  14. EdTechSR Post-Production Custom GPT
  15. Magic School AI
  16. Google’s Notebook LM
  17. Marketing giant ‘admits it listens to your conversations to sell targeted ads’ (Search Engine Land; 15 December 2023)
  18. Google Search Trends 2023
  19. The Disturbing Impact of the Cyberattack at the British Library (New Yorker, 19 Dec 2023)
  20. Wes’ Geek of the Week: Vivaldi Web Browser
  21. Jason’s Geeks of the Week: Seven Things We Learned Analyzing 515 Million Wordles (NYT; 17 December 2023) Gift link for that NYT article: https://bit.ly/48veCy9  and Inside The New York Times’ Big Bet on Games (Vanity Fair; 19 December 2023)
EdTechSR Ep 314 Tech Giants’ AI Race” (CC BY 2.0) by Wesley Fryer

EdTechSR Ep 313: Navigating AI Regulations

Welcome to episode 313 (“Navigating AI Regulations”) of the EdTech Situation Room from December 13, 2023, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week, Dr. Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) and Dr. Wesley Fryer (wesfryer.com/after) discussed a range of topics central to the intersection of technology and education. The conversation highlighted significant developments in artificial intelligence, focusing on the ethical implications and social impact of these advancements. They explored the role of AI in educational contexts and the importance of digital literacy, especially for younger audiences. The episode delved into the latest technological innovations, particularly those in AI and related fields. Neiffer and Fryer also discussed the critical aspects of policy and regulation surrounding AI, addressing new laws and their potential impact on both education and society at large. The influence and role of social media platforms in education were scrutinized, underlining the need for effective digital literacy and safety practices. In addition to these discussions, “Geeks of the Week” included the DotSocial Podcast by Mike McCue, VCam for Mac (Beta), and a post about “Using LLMs locally on iPad or iPhone.” Our show was live-streamed and archived simultaneously on YouTube Live as well as Facebook Live via StreamYard.com. Please follow @edtechsr@mastodon.education on Mastodon for updates, and join LIVE on Wednesday nights if you can. All shownotes are available on edtechSR.com/links. AI Disclosure: An initial draft of this episode summary was generated using youtubetranscript.com and a custom GPT on ChatGPT 4, as well as options for our show title! Stay savvy and safe!

Shownotes

  1. Subscribe to our EdTechSR Substack Newsletter!
  2. EdTech Situation Room Listener Survey: wfryer.me/edtechsr
  3. Follow EdTechSR on Facebook, Mastodon and Substack!
  4. Audio podcast feed (Subscribe with iTunes or Stitcher)
  5. Video version on YouTube
  6. Check out our video podcast feed and subscribe to our YouTube Channel (episodes also in this YouTube playlist)
  7. Jason Neiffer (Mastodon: mastodon.cloud/@neif – Twitter: @techsavvyteach) – blog: blog.ncce.org
  8. Wes Fryer (Mastodon: mastodon.cloud/@wfryer) – wesfryer.com/after
  9. Google’s Gemini Looks Remarkable, But It’s Still Behind OpenAI (Bloomberg; 7 December 2023)
  10. Google admits AI viral video was edited to look better (BBC; 8 December 2023)
  11. Imagen 2 on Vertex AI is now generally available (Google Blog)
  12. Gemini now live for developers with free access via Google AI Studio (9 to 5 Google; 13 December 2023)
  13. Google’s MakerSuite
  14. Grok is a woke, crypto-loving insult comic according to X users (Mashable; 9 December 2023)
  15. This A.I. Subculture’s Motto: Go, Go, Go (New York Times; 10 December 2023) – 🎁Link
  16. EU AI ACT CHEAT SHEET (Oliver Patel via LinkedIn; 11 December 2023)
  17. The EU Just Passed Sweeping New Rules to Regulate AI (Wired, 8 Dec 2023)
  18. Threads will let you push fact-checked posts further down your feed (The Verge; 13 December 2023)
  19. Threads starts testing ActivityPub support for integration with Mastodon and more (9 to 5 Mac; 13 December 2023)
  20. ‘Problematic pockets’: How Discord became a home for extremists (Washington Post, 12 Dec 2023) #GiftLink
  21. Parent and consumer groups warn against ‘naughty tech toys’ (NPR, 13 Dec 2023)
  22. Local police should not be your go-to source for iPhone safety news (Vox; 29 November 2023)
  23. Now Microsoft PowerPoint for the web can add videos with closed captions (THe Verge; 13 December 2023)
  24. Microsoft is Launching an Extended Security Update Program for Windows 10 (Thurott.com; 5 December 2023)
  25. Plot Twist: Windows 10 Extended Security Update Program is Coming to Consumers Too (Thurrott; 5 December 2023)
  26. Google’s App Store Is an Illegal Monopoly, Says Jury in Epic Trial (Gizmodo, 12 Dec 2023)
  27. Wes’ Geeks of the Week: DotSocial Podcast by Mike McCue: “ActivityPub and the End of Walled Gardens, with Evan Prodromou”Introducing VCam for Mac (Beta)
  28. Jason’s Geek of the Week: Using LLMs locally on iPad or iPhone
EdTechSR Ep 313: Navigating AI Regulatio” (CC BY 2.0) by Wesley Fryer