Welcome to episode 162 of the EdTech Situation Room from January 15, 2020, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) and Wesley Fryer (@wfryer) discussed Microsoft’s new Edge Chromium web browser, Instagram’s new policy to hide ‘faked’ images, ‘Techlash” against the big tech companies on college campuses, and new research about blue light and sleep with our digital screens. More U.S. states mandating media literacy education, the arrival of WiFi 6 at last, the NSA’s laudable decision to share a zero day exploit with Microsoft, and an update on recent drone formation sightings at night in eastern Colorado were also highlighted topics. On the security front, terrible password advice from the South China Morning Post and an update emergency for FireFox highlighted by U.S. Homeland Security officials were discussed. Boeing employees provided a good case study and reminder for us all about email retention with recently revealed “FAA mocking” messages, SpaceX as the world’s top satellite operator, and a recent critical article in Oklahoma City news about the Norman Public Schools’ laptop initiative rounded out the show. Geeks of the Week included Luke Miani’s YouTube Channel (amazing hacks and repurposing of older MacOS and iOS devices), Twinkly, and the “No Dumb Questions” podcast episode 72 on “How Did Humans Find Hawaii?” Our show was live streamed and archived simultaneously on YouTube Live as well as our Facebook Live page via StreamYard.com. Please follow us on Twitter @edtechSR for updates, and join us LIVE on Wednesday nights if you can at 10 pm Eastern / 9 pm Central / 8 pm Mountain / 7 pm Pacific or 3 am UTC. All shownotes are available on http://edtechSR.com/links.
Welcome to episode 161 of the EdTech Situation Room from January 8, 2020, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) and Wesley Fryer (@wfryer) discussed new technology (including possible vaporware) revealed at the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Apple’s return to CES to champion digital privacy, and an exciting update to Bluetooth. Facebook’s announced ban of “deepfake” videos and the potential problems they face with this laudable policy, a late December New York Times article highlighting the protean (rather than monolithic) nature of screentime and our need to stop bashing it, and an interesting historical as well as contemporary look at Google’s business engagement in mainland China were explored. Jason’s Geek of the Week was the “MeWe” social network alternative to Facebook, and Wes’ was an outstanding “Your Undivided Attention” podcast interview with UC Irvine researcher Gloria Mark about the prevalence and detrimental impacts of interruptions on our work productivity and lives. Our show was live streamed and archived simultaneously on YouTube Live as well as our Facebook Live page via StreamYard.com. Please follow us on Twitter @edtechSR for updates, and join us LIVE on Wednesday nights if you can at 10 pm Eastern / 9 pm Central / 8 pm Mountain / 7 pm Pacific or 3 am UTC. All shownotes are available on http://edtechSR.com/links.
Welcome to episode 160 of the EdTech Situation Room from January 1, 2020, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) and Wesley Fryer (@wfryer) kicked off the first show of the new year by discussing Audrey Waters’ (@audreywatters) marathon post “The 100 Worst Ed-Tech Debacles of the Decade,” and Dean Shareski’s (@shareski) post “I Don’t Think I’m an EdTech Guy Anymore.” On the security front, recent Amazon Ring “hack incidents” revealed to be caused by reuse of compromised passwords and a good article from USAToday highlighting the dangerous cleverness of bank account phishers were highlighted. The fruits of the latest “Public Domain Day,” the use of the machine learning powered (and creepy) website ThisPersonDoesNotExist.com to create profile photos for fake right wing Facebook profiles attempting to manipulate U.S. voters, and an educational technology startup capitalizing on the invasive surveillance potential of the iPhone for college students skipping classes (SpotterEDU) were also discussed. On the topic of “weird drone stuff” which points the importance of coding and computational thinking for students in schools today, articles about ongoing sightings of mysterious drone formations in eastern Colorado / western Nebraska, and a bizarre drone jamming incident by rural Chinese farmers attempting to foil an organized crime effort to spread swine fever / a pathogen via drone aircraft were also highlighted. Our show was live streamed and archived simultaneously on YouTube Live as well as our Facebook Live page via StreamYard.com. Please follow us on Twitter @edtechSR for updates, and join us LIVE on Wednesday nights if you can at 10 pm Eastern / 9 pm Central / 8 pm Mountain / 7 pm Pacific or 3 am UTC. All shownotes are available on http://edtechSR.com/links.
Welcome to episode 159 of the EdTech Situation Room from December 18, 2019, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) and Wesley Fryer (@wfryer) co-hosted our annual “Technology Shopping Cart” edition, when they recommended a diverse variety of tech related gifts for the geeks in your life. Check out the shownotes for a complete list of referenced products and goodies. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! If you use any of our recommendations as stocking stuffers or gifts under your Christmas tree, please reach out and let us know via Twitter! (Or if we missed a technology related gift you think should have made our lists, let us know that too!) Next week (on Christmas Day) we will NOT have a show, but we’ll be back on Wednesday, January 1, 2020 to kick off the new year with more EdTechSR analysis about recent tech headlines from an educational perspective. Our show was live streamed and archived simultaneously on YouTube Live as well as our Facebook Live page via StreamYard.com. Please follow us on Twitter @edtechSR for updates, and join us LIVE on Wednesday nights (unless we have a schedule change like next week) if you can at 10 pm Eastern / 9 pm Central / 8 pm Mountain / 7 pm Pacific or 3 am UTC. All shownotes are available on http://edtechSR.com/links.
Welcome to episode 158 of the EdTech Situation Room from December 11, 2019, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) and Wesley Fryer (@wfryer) discussed headlines from our continuing “Technology Cold War” between the United States and China, as well as the U.S. and Russia. China has announced it will purge all foreign made computer equipment from government offices, the FCC continues to oppose Huawei in US ISP networks, and reports continue to verify we’re in a global information and disinformation war. Facebook continues to battle fake accounts and internal corruption aimed and bolstering fake accounts, Microsoft’s new Mobile design, and Microsoft’s first Linux app were also discussed. On the Apple front, the high prices for new Mac Pro desktop computer systems were highlighted. Chrome’s enhanced password management and password compromise features, the end of life for the original Google Glass, the FBI’s recommendation for home users to isolate IoT devices on a separate network, recommended physical security keys for two factor authentication, YouTube’s request for more clarity on the FCC’s COPPA-based ruling impacting creators, and Amazon versus Apple Family discussions were headlines rounding out the show. Geeks of the Week included a recent Audible settlement with long time subscribers (check your email!), an amazing traveling Science museum exhibition and website, “The Science Behind Pixar,” and an outstanding iOS and USB-C compatible security key from Yubikey. Our show was live streamed and archived simultaneously on YouTube Live as well as our Facebook Live page via StreamYard.com. Please follow us on Twitter @edtechSR for updates, and join us LIVE on Wednesday nights (unless we have a schedule change like tonight) if you can at 10 pm Eastern / 9 pm Central / 8 pm Mountain / 7 pm Pacific or 3 am UTC. All shownotes are available on http://edtechSR.com/links.
Welcome to episode 157 of the EdTech Situation Room from December 3, 2019, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) and Wesley Fryer (@wfryer) discussed the ascendency of Sundar Pichai to the throne of Alphabet, research revealing sophisticated and ongoing Russian propaganda efforts to weaponize social media to foment division and polarization in the United States, CyberMonday deals over the weekend for U.S technology consumers, and the 10 year anniversary / birthday of ChromeOS. The impeding selloff of all .org domains to a private equity company, the politics of local laws on technology platforms revealed by Apple’s new map of Russia including (illegally) annexed Crimea, Apple’s removal of customer reviews from its online store, and the announcement of the GitHub Security Lab to provide bug bounties for open source platforms were also highlighted. Additional topics included the benefits of letting milk cows use VR headsets (in Russia), IBM’s use of machine learning algorithms to discover more ancient, giant etchings in the earth (similar to the Nazca Lines) using tons of satellite imagery, and the optimistic news from Hong Kong following recent elections fueled by student protests and the use of a variety of encryption apps to organize and remain anonymous in the burgeoning Chinese surveillance state. The imminent removal of inactive Twitter accounts and availability of those channel IDs and Google’s struggles with the Stadia gaming platform rounded out the show. Geeks of the Week included BlueGriffon (a free 64 bit WYSIWYG webpage editor), a recent podcast conversation by Richard Byrne (@rmbyrne) with Dr. Scott McLeod (@mcleod), and the amazing “Post It” app for iOS and Android. Our show was live streamed and archived simultaneously on YouTube Live as well as our Facebook Live page via StreamYard.com. Please follow us on Twitter @edtechSR for updates, and join us LIVE on Wednesday nights (unless we have a schedule change like tonight) if you can at 10 pm Eastern / 9 pm Central / 8 pm Mountain / 7 pm Pacific or 3 am UTC. All shownotes are available on http://edtechSR.com/links.
Welcome to episode 156 of the EdTech Situation Room from November 20, 2019, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) and Wesley Fryer (@wfryer) discussed hoopla over YouTube’s new requirements for “Creators” worldwide uploading videos to comply with COPPA law in the United States. The ongoing collapse of our information ecosystem thanks (in large part) to both disinformation and the monopolistic domination of global advertising revenues by Facebook and Google, the Russian effective techniques of “narrative laundering” highlighted by Rene DiResta (@noupside) and the need for “media literacy for all” so we can proactively “filter our feeds” were highlighted. The importance of using unique passwords (as highlighted by Disney+ account hacks,) the limitations of the Google Chrome password manager, and the proliferation of human engineering schemes to trick users / steal their money were discussed. Google updates included forthcoming support for audio embeds in Google Slides and the open sourcing of Google Cardboard. On AI and automation, a recent mass surveillance protest in Washington D.C. in which “14,000 people’s faces were non-consensually scanned,” the availability of a “robot lawyer” for legal services, and the risk posed by automation to white collar jobs were highlighted. The importance of purchasing separate streaming boxes / devices for televisions in our homes and offices and the VERY poor sales data for Google Smart Speakers rounded out the show. Geeks of the Week included the danger of USB charging ports and the options to use a “USB condom,” National Geographic Educator Certification, and the Ecosia Chrome search extension. Our show was live streamed and archived simultaneously on YouTube Live as well as our Facebook Live page via StreamYard.com. Please follow us on Twitter @edtechSR for updates, and join us LIVE on Wednesday nights if you can (normally) at 10 pm Eastern / 9 pm Central / 8 pm Mountain / 7 pm Pacific or 3 am UTC. All shownotes are available on http://edtechSR.com/links.
Welcome to episode 155 of the EdTech Situation Room from November 13, 2019, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) and Wesley Fryer (@wfryer) discussed YouTube’s newly announced terms of service to apparently pave the way for more channel / account takedowns, the latest 2018-19 report “Why Rural Matters,” and the importance of addressing the rural/urban political divides which separate many voters in western states like Montana and Oklahoma. The “Long Tail” and the wonderful “Craft With Me” YouTube channel of Gayle Agostinelli was mentioned. The new PBS Frontline special “In the Age of AI,” Deepmind AI and its triumph (AlphaStar) over Starcraft 2 world class players, Android users who love the Apple Watch, and Apple’s ongoing focus / market differentiation on privacy were discussed. Additional topics included the story of Carson King, College GameDay in Iowa, Venmo, and the raising of $1 million for a local children’s hospital overshadowed by racist tweets from the past, as well as articles about the algorithmic darkness of YouTube. Google’s forthcoming inclusion of “end of life” date information in ChromeOS settings, Jason’s rebuttal to Phil Schiller’s (of Apple) public criticisms of Chromebooks, and security articles including discussion of passwords and “security fatigue” and the importance of using a unique password for your Google account were also highlighted. Disinformation research from NPR’s Fresh Air program, and resources highlighting both our “age of information disorder) (via @firstdraftnews) and the weaponization of Twitter to counter critics of Saudi Arabia were also discussed. Geeks of the Week included The Noun Project, Andrew Marantz’s new book “Antisocial: Online Extremists, Techno-Utopians, and the Hijacking of the American Conversation,” First Draft News’ Informational Toolbox on Information Disorder, and an alarming video of MIT’s Mini-Cheetah’s rounded out the show. Our show was live streamed and archived simultaneously on YouTube Live as well as our Facebook Live page via StreamYard.com. Please follow us on Twitter @edtechSR for updates, and join us LIVE on Wednesday nights if you can (normally) at 10 pm Eastern / 9 pm Central / 8 pm Mountain / 7 pm Pacific or 3 am UTC. All shownotes are available on http://edtechSR.com/links.
Here's more footage of MIT's Mini Cheetahs cavorting, frolicking, back-flipping, playing soccer and generally acting fun and cute, courtesy of the Biomimetic Robotics Lab @MITMechE#robots#roboticspic.twitter.com/8ZQzDvCDVW
Welcome to episode 154 of the EdTech Situation Room from November 6, 2019, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) and Wesley Fryer (@wfryer) discussed the popularity and function of Apple’s AirPods, ways to restore/enlarge your iPad icons with iPadOS13, and the benefits of using an Apple Watch as a wireless remote control during a presentation. Extended ChromeOS support from Google for hundreds of older Chromebooks, booming Chromebook sales and Android app use, shocking Chromebook durability tests, and an interesting article recommending that users regularly delete their Google data were included in Google-related updates. On the security front, the LastPass password challenge and other password manager features highlighting compromised/weak passwords, revelations that Chinese hackers have fully compromised the privacy of SMS messaging worldwide, and the vulnerability of smart speakers to “laser-based attacks” were highlighted. Additional topics included ending Google Pixel 1 smartphone support, the surging popularity of TikTok among U.S. teens, screentime and preschoolers, questions about Amazon’s Alexa functionality stagnating, and AT&T’s $60 million fine for misleading consumers about “unlimited data plans.” The intrusive nature of virtual reality / VR experiences and helpful multidisciplinary approaches to create them and announcements from Adobe Max 2019 rounded out the show. Geeks of the Week included Immersive AR/VR article features from the New York Times, a security question answered by Troy Hunt via Twitter, DarkNet Diaries episode about the mindblowing Saudi Aramco hack by Iranians in 2012, and the dark side of standard batteries. Our show was live streamed and archived simultaneously on YouTube Live as well as our Facebook Live page via StreamYard.com. Please follow us on Twitter @edtechSR for updates, and join us LIVE on Wednesday nights if you can (normally) at 10 pm Eastern / 9 pm Central / 8 pm Mountain / 7 pm Pacific or 3 am UTC. All shownotes are available on http://edtechSR.com/links.
Welcome to episode 153 of the EdTech Situation Room from October 30, 2019, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) and Wesley Fryer (@wfryer) discussed Twitter’s announcement to stop accepting paid political advertisements for candidates or issues, Facebook’s employee complaints over its political ad policy, challenges to Mark Zuckerberg in testimony before the U.S. Congress, and a “deep fake” video targeting Senator Lindsey Graham over the “Green New Deal.” @SmarterEveryDay’s fantastic 3 part YouTube series on the weaponization of social media, The Mastodon Project, and the Factitious news game (great for media literacy discussions) were mentioned and recommended. The availability of Thunderbolt 3 on some Chromebooks, a new CTL Chromebox at reasonable prices, and Microsoft’s political win over Amazon for a HUGE new U.S. military contract were also discussed. The launch of Facebook’s new “News Tab” with payments to some mainstream media publishers, the new RCS standard for SMS / cell phone text messaging, Apple’s newly announced “AirPod Pro” headphones, and a mind stretching Google AI Blog announcement about predicting the smell of different molecules rounded out the show. Geeks of the Week included New Home Internet service from T-Mobile, amazing “Shot with iPhone” experiment videos from Apple, and a highly manipulative web service available called “The Spinner” perfect for a student media literacy lesson. Our show was live streamed and archived simultaneously on YouTube Live as well as our Facebook Live page via StreamYard.com. Please follow us on Twitter @edtechSR for updates, and join us LIVE on Wednesday nights if you can (normally) at 10 pm Eastern / 9 pm Central / 8 pm Mountain / 7 pm Pacific or 3 am UTC. All shownotes are available on http://edtechSR.com/links.
‘Factitious’, a game made by Robert Hone and @Mindtoggle, assists in creating media literacy in game players by teaching the difference between real and fake news. pic.twitter.com/zCJtcnJy0i
