Welcome to episode 339 (“Social Media Challenges in Schools”) of the EdTech Situation Room from November 6, 2024, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week, Dr. Jason Neiffer (aicentrist.com) and Dr. Wesley Fryer (wesfryer.com) tackled pressing tech issues with a focus on educational impacts. Key topics included Apple’s latest hardware releases like the Mac Mini with the M4 chip, MacBook Pro upgrades, and Apple Intelligence features such as direct ChatGPT integration and the new Image Playground app. The hosts shared their thoughts on how Apple’s seamless AI integration is enhancing productivity and creativity for educators and students alike. The discussion took a serious turn with an in-depth look at the dangers of TikTok challenges in schools, highlighting a recent JAMA Psychiatry article on the blurred lines between social media stunts and real mental health crises among youth. Wes and Jason reflected on the responsibilities of parents, educators, and tech companies in mitigating these risks. They also explored the mental health impact of grade-tracking apps, noting the anxiety these tools can create for students, especially those with learning differences. AI developments were front and center, including Ireland’s national AI training strategy for government workers and OpenAI’s new search engine tool, prompting a debate on search literacy in the age of AI. The episode also touched on Anthropic’s new desktop app for Claude and its experimental computer control feature, showcasing the rapid evolution of AI-powered tools for daily tasks. “Geeks of the Week” included Wes’ announcement of PodCamp CLT, a podcasting conference in Charlotte, NC, on December 7, and Jason’s upcoming webinar on Notebook LM for educators, along with his new home automation project using Home Assistant software. 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, @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, as well as options for our show title! Stay savvy and safe!
Shownotes
- Subscribe to our EdTechSR Substack Newsletter!
- EdTech Situation Room Listener Survey: wfryer.me/edtechsr
- Follow EdTechSR on Facebook, BlueSky, Mastodon and Substack!
- Audio podcast feed (Subscribe with iTunes or Stitcher)
- Video version on YouTube
- Check out our video podcast feed and subscribe to our YouTube Channel (episodes also in this YouTube playlist)
- Jason Neiffer: aicentrist.com
- Wes Fryer: wesfryer.com
- Microsoft just delayed Recall again (The Verge; 31 October 2024)
- OpenAI’s search engine is now live in ChatGPT (The Verge; 31 October 2024)
- Anthropic’s Claude AI chatbot now has a desktop app (The Verge; 31 October 2024)
- Google to develop AI that takes over computers, The Information reports (Reuters; 26 October 2024)
- AI training for Government workers major part of smart tech plan amid ‘clear economic opportunities’ despite job fears (The Irish Sun, 6 Nov 2024)
- APPLE FAN BOY ALERT: New Apple Stuff
- The MacBook Air gets a surprise upgrade to 16GB of RAM (The Verge; 30 October 2024)
- Schools issue prom warning to pupils over missing iPads (The Times, 31 Oct 2024)
- Apple’s iOS 18.2 public beta starts opening up access to more AI features (The Verge; 6 November 2024)
- For fame or a death wish? Kids’ TikTok challenge injuries stump psychiatrists (ArsTechnica, 6 Nov 2024)
- The surprising source of kids’ stress lurking on parents’ phones (Vox; 26 October 2024)
- Jason’s Geeks of the Week: https://www.home-assistant.io/ ; NotebookLM Webinar; AI Playdate at the University of Montana
- Wes’ Geeks of the Week: ChatGPT LIVE Web Search – ChatGPT conversation archive for tonight’s articles – [VIDEO] Classroom Management Digital Tips for Middle School Teachers (17.5 min) – PodCampCLT.com (7 Dec 2024)
