Welcome to episode 48 of the EdTech Situation Room from April 19, 2017, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) and Wes Fryer (@wfryer) discussed the implications of Apple’s announcement to make all iLife apps free for both MacOS and iOS, Microsoft’s new licensing strategy for Windows 10 and the “Creator’s Update,” and the potential for Google’s AutoDraw website to be used for sketchnoting inside and outside the classroom. Additional topics included a recent study suggesting kids who use touchscreen devices sleep less at night, a New York Times article on a paper suggesting social media is NOT contributing significantly to political polarization, and the X-Prize victory by an underdog family team who created a “tri-corder” to accurately diagnose thirteen different medical conditions. Jason and Wes also discussed two cell phone company related articles, including Verizon’s announcement to purchase tons of new fiber and bring 1 Gbps connectivity to homes via 5G wireless technology, and T-Mobile’s recent spectrum purchases boosting their LTE network coverage. Geeks of the week included a new Chromebook for Jason (HP Chromebook 13 G1) and upcoming creativity strand presentations for the K-12 Online Conference by Wes. Despite some Fryer home connectivity challenges tonight we made it through the show! Thanks to Peggy, Ben and Simon who joined us live from Arizona, Colorado and Australia! Next week Wes will be “out on assignment” but Jason will carry on with some special guests. Please follow @edtechSR on Twitter to stay up to date about our upcoming show schedule. Thanks for listening (and possibly watching) the EdTech Situation Room!
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- Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) – blog: blog.ncce.org
- Wesley Fryer (@wfryer) – blog: speedofcreativity.org
- iWork and iLife apps are now free for old and new Mac and iOS users (18 April 2017, ArsTechica)
- All the Coolest New Features in the Windows 10 Creators Update (11 April 2017, Lifehacker)
- Microsoft Releases the Windows 10 “Creator’s Update:” Here’s What’s In Store (Jason’s Blog Article at the NCCE Tech-Savvy Teacher Blog)
- Fast Drawing for Everyone (11 April 2017, Google Blog)
- Using Google AutoDraw for Sketchnotes, Infographics, Drawings, and More (13 April 2017, by @ericcurts)
- Majority of consumers fear engaging with AI (18 April 2017, Information Management)
- Social Media Is Not Contributing Significantly to Political Polarization, Paper Says (New York Times, 13 April 2017)
- Kids Who Use Touchscreen Devices Sleep Less at Night (Gizmodo, 13 April 2017); the actual study appears here behind a paywall
- Underdog team wins millions in competition to make real-life tricorder (14 April 2017, ArsTechnica)
- Verizon buying 37 million miles of fiber to boost its wireless network (18 April 2017, ArsTechnica)
- T-Mobile dominates spectrum auction, will boost LTE network across US (13 April 2017, ArsTechnica)
- Why the politics of the future is technology and technology is the future of politics (22 March 2017, Nikola Danaylov @singularityblog)
- Jason’s Geek of the Week: HP Chromebook 13 G1
- Wes’ Geek of the Week #1: K12Online Creativity Strand Presentations from Educators in Australia, Austria, China, Laos, Norway, & the USA: April 24 and 29
- Wes’ Geek of the Week #2: Picture Book – Lost and Found Cat: The True Story of Kunkush’s Incredible Journey (Video: The epic journey of a refugee cat to find its family)
Collaboration is an Essential Skill for Students – Embrace its Challenges https://t.co/mkpHU3WsYC #edchat
— Jennifer Carey (@TeacherJenCarey) April 19, 2017
