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!
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!
Welcome to episode 312 (“A Very Techy Holiday”) of the EdTech Situation Room from December 6, 2023, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week, Dr. Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) and Dr. Wesley Fryer (@wfryer@mastodon.cloud) dived into their annual holiday gift guide, offering a wealth of suggestions for tech enthusiasts. The hosts explored a variety of categories, including family memories, cooking, meat smoking, tech gadgets for both Apple and non-Apple users, auto-related technology, and kitchy nerdy items. They shared personal insights and recommendations, making it easier for listeners to pick the perfect tech gifts. Additionally, they emphasized the importance of preserving oral history and family memories, providing tips and tools for capturing these invaluable stories. “Geeks of the Week” included ClipDrop and Wes’ Social Media Text Prepper on GitHub. 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!
Welcome to episode 311 (“AI’s Evolving Landscape”) of the EdTech Situation Room from November 29, 2023, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week, Dr. Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) and Dr. Wesley Fryer (wesfryer.com/after) explored a range of topics primarily centered around the evolving world of artificial intelligence. Key discussions included the latest advancements in AI and their implications for both education and broader societal contexts. The episode delved into the ethical considerations of AI deployment, particularly focusing on transparency and ethical AI use. An interesting segment covered how AI is revolutionizing traditional sectors, like weather forecasting, providing more accurate and timely predictions. Additionally, the conversation turned to practical applications of AI in everyday life, such as the development of AI-powered tools for crafting more effective emails. The hosts also discussed the importance of local AI models and their potential to offer customized solutions tailored to specific regional needs and contexts. In the “Geeks of the Week” segment, Dr. Neiffer and Dr. Fryer shared their latest tech finds and recommendations, highlighting tools and resources that leverage AI in innovative ways. These included LM Studio (for running Large Language Models locally,) Wes’ “Dear John” letter abandoning Twitter at least, and the upcoming MediaEd Forum (online conference) in mid-January 2024. 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!
Welcome to episode 310 (“OpenAI’s Educational Impact”) of the EdTech Situation Room from November 15, 2023, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week, Dr. Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) and Dr. Wesley Fryer (@wfryer@mastodon.cloud) dived deep into the world of AI, with a special focus on OpenAI’s advancements and their implications in education. Jason shared valuable insights from his recent presentation on AI at the National Rural Education National Forum. The episode covered the latest from OpenAI, including ChatGPT-4 Turbo and its fine-tuning programs, and how AI is reshaping educational materials and personalizing learning experiences. They also explored broader topics like social media, digital citizenship, and the ethical dimensions of AI in technology. The episode wrapped up with their personal experiences in experimenting with AI and the “Geeks of the Week” segment, featuring intriguing AI tools and applications. These included Snipd (an AI powered podcastching app) and Wes’ “Text Prepper” social media post chunking web app. 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!
Welcome to episode 309 (“AI Integration Explored”) of the EdTech Situation Room from November 8, 2023, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week, Dr. Jason Neiffer and Dr. Wesley Fryer discussed a wide range of topics predominantly focused on AI’s integration into various aspects of technology and education. They covered the latest developments in Apple technology, including the new M3 chips and Macbook Pros. The conversation also touched upon Microsoft updates, particularly the integration of AI tools directly into Windows 11 and the release of Microsoft co-pilot for business users. In the realm of social media, they discussed the implications of changes in platforms like Twitter and the impact of these changes on historical record and fact-checking. The conversation then shifted to AI’s growing influence in education, with discussions about the use of AI tools like Canva for classroom activities, and the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in educational settings. Security and privacy concerns associated with technology were also addressed, including a discussion about air tags being used by police departments to track stolen vehicles. For their “Geeks of the Week” segment, Dr. Fryer highlighted his “Media Literacy Roundup” on his Substack, and Dr. Neiffer shared his rediscovery of NFC tags and their versatile applications. The podcast concluded with reflections on the potential and challenges of AI integration in various domains, emphasizing the need for ongoing exploration and understanding of these rapidly evolving technologies. 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!
Welcome to episode 308 (“Exploring AI in Education”) of the EdTech Situation Room from October 25, 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, focusing on the integration and implications of AI in education. Wes Fryer shared insights from his teaching experiences in Matthews, North Carolina, covering web design, computer applications, media literacy, and computer programming. Jason Neiffer talked about his involvement in meetings for the Montana Digital Academy discussing distance learning and AI, emphasizing the necessity for educators to engage with AI tools. Key discussions revolved around AI, including teachers’ awareness and concerns, and the need to focus on the learning process with AI in classrooms. The conversation touched upon technology news, AI experiments, and the ethical challenges posed by AI in educational settings. Social media’s influence on students and legal issues surrounding Meta were also discussed, along with the time teens spend on social media and the critical role of parental involvement. The episode featured conversations about AI’s role in generating academic content, and its integration in tools like Gmail for better email management. The episode concluded with a focus on Google’s AI-enhanced search features and the significant challenges AI presents in the educational landscape. “Geeks of the Week” included the Duck Duck Go web browser, Native iOS Voice Dictation in Chrome, Google’s SGE, a “Minecraft Mars Colony” coding project, Wes’ new background video, and Wes’ AI Tips and Tricks Google Doc. 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!
Welcome to episode 307 (“AI-Driven Education Insights”) of the EdTech Situation Room from October 11, 2023, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week, Dr. Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) and Dr. Wesley Fryer (wesfryer.com/after) discussed a range of pressing topics in the intersection of technology and education. They delved into the latest developments in AI and its impact on educational practices, with a specific focus on how AI tools are transforming teaching methodologies and student engagement. The episode also covered the recent advancements and the educational applications of the Raspberry Pi 5, emphasizing its significance in the Maker movement and STEM education. Furthermore, the hosts explored the evolving landscape of tech policy, highlighting key legislative changes that affect both educators and students. They provided insights into the shifting paradigms of social media monetization, discussing how these changes influence digital literacy and online behavior among students. The episode also touched upon the advancements in voice technology and the critical aspect of user security, particularly in educational settings. “Geeks of the Week” included Librarian AI: “Discover your next favorite book Powered by AI,” a podcast interview with one of Wes’ middle school students who moderates commercial livestreams, and support for Mastodon Lists in Flipboard. 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!
Welcome to episode 306 (“Multimodal AI: Ethical Dilemmas”) of the EdTech Situation Room from September 27, 2023, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week, Dr. Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) and Dr. Wesley Fryer (wesfryer.com/after) discussed a broad spectrum of topics at the intersection of technology and education. Key discussions included the latest advancements in artificial intelligence, particularly multimodal capabilities of ChatGPT and the ethical concerns surrounding technologies like Clearview AI. Jason Neiffer shared his insights on the iPhone 15 Pro, delving into its features and potential drawbacks. The episode also covered social media developments, notably Twitter’s Community Notes feature aimed at mitigating misinformation. Further, the hosts examined the integration of AI in various platforms, such as Google’s Bard and Microsoft’s recent projects, highlighting the swift progress and expansive potential of AI in everyday applications. Real-world perspectives were provided through Jason’s experiences with student groups and Wesley’s classroom interactions, offering practical viewpoints on technology usage. The episode wrapped up with the “Geeks of the Week” segment, with Wes sharing the Ezra Klein Show podcast from September 12, 2023, “America’s Top Librarian on the Rise of Book Bans, the Amazon Prime movie, “A Million Miles Away,” and Jason sharing the AI website TheresAnAIforThat.com. 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!
featuring interviews with Sam Altman of OpenAI & Satya Nadella of Microsoft. “AI moving from auto-pilot to co-pilot. Do NOT trust any 1 company or person with this technology.” (24 minutes)
Welcome to episode 305 (“USB-C Apple Evolution”) of the EdTech Situation Room from September 13, 2023, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week, Dr. Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) and Dr. Wesley Fryer (@wfryer@mastodon.cloud) delved into a range of exciting and significant topics in the tech world. Key discussions included the ongoing evolution of Apple’s products with a special focus on their transition to USB-C, reflecting a major shift in their design philosophy and user interface. The episode also highlighted advancements in AI and its burgeoning role in education, underscoring both the opportunities and challenges it presents to educators and students alike. Further, the hosts explored the broader tech landscape, discussing the current state of technology markets and the challenges facing tech companies as they navigate a period of correction and change. The conversation also ventured into the thrilling realm of space exploration, showcasing the latest developments and missions that continue to push the boundaries of human knowledge and capability. Ethics in technology, particularly regarding AI, formed a crucial part of the discussion, with insights into the latest guidelines and ethical considerations that are shaping the development and deployment of AI technologies. Throughout the episode, Dr. Neiffer and Dr. Fryer provided their expert analysis and perspectives, making complex topics accessible and engaging for their audience. “Geeks of the Week” included “AI Guidelines for Students” (from Wes) and the AI-powered meme generator “www.supermeme.ai” (from Jason.) Join us for this insightful episode as we explore the intersections of technology, education, and society. Stay savvy and safe!
