Welcome to episode 341 (“Blue Sky Rising”) of the EdTech Situation Room from December 4, 2024, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week, Dr. Jason Neiffer (aicentrist.com) and Dr. Wesley Fryer (wesfryer.com) explored the surge in popularity of Bluesky as a social platform for educators, the rising importance of media literacy, and the expanding role of AI in classrooms and personal security. Jason shared insights from Montana’s first AI Play Date event, and Wes highlighted a fantastic media literacy teaching example making national headlines. The hosts also discussed the hidden security risks of smart devices, the unexpected afterlife of Redbox kiosks, and the powerful implications of voice cloning technologies. Other topics included privacy concerns surrounding Bluesky post-scraping and the Supreme Court’s upcoming review of the FCC’s Universal Service Fund. Our show was live-streamed and archived on YouTube 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 show notes are available at edtechSR.com/links.
Welcome to episode 338 (“AI Security Concerns”) of the EdTech Situation Room from October 23, 2024, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week, Dr. Jason Neiffer (aicentrist.com) and Dr. Wesley Fryer (wesfryer.com) explored the latest developments in technology, AI advancements, and their educational implications. The show opened with a lighthearted discussion about digital media preservation, sparked by San Francisco’s costly move to retire 5.25-inch floppy disks from its subway system. The co-hosts reflected on the importance of safeguarding old media formats and backing up digital assets. Shifting to security issues, they covered a disturbing incident of a Zoom hack that disrupted a school board meeting, highlighting the vulnerabilities of virtual platforms. Additionally, they discussed the growing adoption of passkeys as a promising, passwordless future for internet security, with Dr. Neiffer sharing his experiences using passkeys through OnePassword. The conversation then turned to the ongoing battle over internet data caps, with public outcry urging the FCC to ban them. Both hosts shared their excitement about fiber internet expansion, noting its importance for equitable digital access. AI developments dominated the latter half of the show. They discussed Anthropic’s release of Claude 3.5 Sonnet and its groundbreaking “Computer Use” feature, which allows the AI to perform desktop tasks autonomously. While this innovation offers potential time-saving benefits for educators, it also raises significant security concerns, as experts warn of increased cyberattack risks. The hosts also reflected on a tragic case involving Character.AI, where a chatbot’s inappropriate interactions contributed to a teenager’s suicide. This case underscored the urgent need for stronger guardrails on AI interactions with minors. To wrap up, the co-hosts highlighted the evolving role of AI agents and discussed how platforms like make.com and Google Gemini could streamline data management and automate administrative tasks for educators. “Geeks of the Week” included make.com (Jason) – a powerful tool for automating tasks using AI and integrations, and a Passkeys Guide from OnePassword (Wes) – a resource for exploring passwordless security solutions. 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! AI image generated by Wes Fryer using Ideogram. Stay savvy and safe!
Welcome to episode 337 (“Teaching and Parenting in the AI Era”) of the EdTech Situation Room from October 16, 2024, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week, Dr. Jason Neiffer (aicentrist.com) and Dr. Wesley Fryer (wesfryer.com) explored the complexities of integrating AI into education. They discussed how school administrators, teachers, and parents are grappling with challenges like AI-assisted plagiarism, privacy concerns, and balancing innovation with ethical responsibility. Topics included the evolving role of professional development in addressing AI misconceptions, the antitrust push against Big Tech, and the transformative potential of emerging technologies like Apple’s Vision Pro. In “Geeks of the Week,” Jason highlighted tools like OpenMCQ and photo generation apps, while Wes showcased resources for emergency preparedness and media literacy. Our show was live-streamed and archived on YouTube Live via StreamYard.com. Please follow our @EdTechSR page on Facebook, the #edtechSR hashtag on BlueSky, @edtechsr@mastodon.education on Mastodon for updates, and join LIVE on Wednesday nights if you can. All show notes are available at edtechSR.com/links.
Welcome to episode 335 (“NotebookLM Revolution”) of the EdTech Situation Room from September 18, 2024, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week, Dr. Jason Neiffer (aicentrist.com) and Dr. Wesley Fryer (wesfryer.com) delved into Google’s NotebookLM advancements, including the “Audio Overview” feature revolutionizing document interaction. They explored OpenAI’s new reasoning model, Apple’s latest innovations from the 2024 event, and AI ethics with Taylor Swift’s stance on deepfakes. Other topics included Australia’s proposal to ban social media for children, Brazil’s action against Twitter/X, and game-changing tools like Descript and GPT integrations for productivity. Our show was live-streamed and archived on YouTube 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 show notes are available at edtechSR.com/links.
Welcome to episode 334 (“Considering AI Regulation”) of the EdTech Situation Room from August 29, 2024, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week, Dr. Jason Neiffer (aicentrist.com) and Dr. Wesley Fryer (wesfryer.com) explored the rapidly evolving world of AI, including the implications of California’s sweeping AI safety legislation and the broader challenges of algorithmic accountability. Discussions spanned the role of AI in education, emerging AI-powered tools like Google’s Gemini, and the sustainability challenges posed by large-scale AI systems. They also touched on Apple’s upcoming product announcements, Tumblr’s migration to WordPress, and YouTube’s rise as the top podcast platform. The ethical, social, and technological dimensions of these developments provided a rich tapestry of insights. Our show was live-streamed and archived on YouTube 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 show notes are available at edtechSR.com/links.
Welcome to episode 332 (“AI and Cyber Threats”) of the EdTech Situation Room from August 7, 2024, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week, Dr. Jason Neiffer (aicentrist.com) and Dr. Wesley Fryer (wesfryer.com) explored the latest advancements in AI technologies, discussing their ethical implications and potential in educational settings. They examined pressing cybersecurity challenges, highlighting infrastructure vulnerabilities and proactive measures for resilience. The conversation also covered updates on digital privacy policies and regulatory shifts, with a focus on their impact on educators and students. Critical topics like media literacy and the ethical dilemmas posed by generative AI rounded out the episode, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful engagement in a rapidly evolving tech landscape. Our show was live-streamed and archived on YouTube 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 show notes are available at edtechSR.com/links.
Welcome to episode 329 (“Apple’s AI Move”) of the EdTech Situation Room from June 26, 2024, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week, Dr. Jason Neiffer (aicentrist.com) and Dr. Wesley Fryer (wesfryer.com) discussed a variety of technology topics through an educational lens. Key discussions included Apple’s recent advancements in AI, their strategic decisions regarding AI integration, and the implications for educational technology. The episode also covered the ongoing challenges with tech privacy, the evolving digital divide among students regarding access to AI tools, and innovative applications of AI in social media. “Geeks of the Week” included Jason’s recommendation of Notion, a comprehensive note-taking and organization app, and Wes’s highlight of a family audio preservation project using digitized tapes from 1972. Our show was live-streamed and archived on YouTube Live via StreamYard.com.(Facebook changed their live streaming policies, so unfortunately we can’t live stream there until we get at least 100 likes on our Facebook page!) 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!
Welcome to episode 326 (“Live From Japan!”) of the EdTech Situation Room from May 8, 2024, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week, Dr. Jason Neiffer (aicentrist.com) joined live from Kyoto, Japan, and Dr. Wesley Fryer (wesfryer.com) joined from Charlotte, North Carolina. They discussed a variety of topics including Jason’s travel experiences in Japan, the latest Apple product updates, and the significance of privacy and security in technology. Key discussions included: Jason’s culinary adventures in Japan and observations on the strong dollar’s impact on travel costs. The latest updates to Apple’s iPads, with a focus on their implications for education and the mixed reactions from the tech community. The importance of multi-factor authentication highlighted by a major healthcare cyber attack due to its absence. The role of debate in developing critical thinking skills in an AI-dominated world. Media literacy and the new challenges posed by sophisticated propaganda and misinformation campaigns. “Geeks of the Week” included Google’s free webinar series “Generative AI for Teachers” (from Wes), and Amazon Prime’s series “Fallout” based on the popular video game (from Jason). 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!
Welcome to episode 325 (“Privacy and TikTok Ban”) of the EdTech Situation Room from April 24, 2024, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week, Dr. Jason Neiffer and Dr. Wesley Fryer delve into a variety of technology and educational topics. They discuss Dr. Neiffer’s upcoming trip to Japan, providing insights into the extensive planning required for such an adventure. The conversation quickly transitions to pressing issues in tech and education, notably the recent U.S. legislation potentially affecting TikTok. This move by Congress, framed as a national security issue, opens broader debates on data privacy and the influence of social media on public opinion. The episode also covers the significant impact of artificial intelligence on content creation and the ethical implications of AI technologies. Updates from tech giants like Google and Apple are discussed, highlighting upcoming events and product enhancements that could influence educational practices. “Geeks of the Week” includes personal tech recommendations and educational resources, emphasizing tools that effectively integrate technology into educational settings. 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!
Welcome to episode 324 (“Deep Dives in Disinformation”) of the EdTech Situation Room from April 17, 2024, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week, Dr. Jason Neiffer and Dr. Wesley Fryer discussed a variety of important topics in educational technology and AI’s impact on education, from San Diego, California and Charlotte, North Carolina respectively. Jason opened the episode by sharing his experiences at the ASU + GSV conference, which brought together leaders in education and technology. The discussions at the conference focused heavily on the integration of AI in educational settings and the ethical implications of new technologies. Wes and Jason then delved into the pressing issue of Kremlin-backed actors spreading disinformation through sophisticated AI tools. They discussed the evolution of disinformation tactics and the crucial role of media literacy in combating these threats. The co-hosts explored various other technological updates, including new developments from Google and Microsoft, emphasizing the educational potentials and challenges of these innovations. They also addressed the need for thoughtful integration of AI tools in education, to enhance learning without compromising ethical standards. “Geeks of the Week” featured valuable tools and resources for educators. Among these, Jason highlighted an AI-powered music creation tool, emphasizing its potential to revolutionize educational content delivery. 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!
