EdTechSR Ep 300 Educators Eye AI Ethics

Welcome to Episode 300 (“Educators Eye AI Ethics”) of the EdTech Situation Room from August 2, 2023, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week, Dr. Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) and Wesley Fryer (wesfryer.com/after) welcomed viewers to the milestone 300th episode of the EdTech Situation Room on August 2, 2023. They discussed technology’s rapid advancements, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI), and how educators can thoughtfully integrate new tools into the classroom. The hosts reflected on the show’s history analyzing educational technology news over 299 prior episodes. They outlined the main topics to be covered, including AI, tech policy, Apple, Google, social media, and their weekly “Geeks of the Week” recommendations. Jason and Wes delved into several Google Chrome updates, examining their implications for users and schools. They critiqued proposed regulations cracking down on tech giants in Canada and Europe as going too far in restricting online linking and personalized ads. However, the hosts agreed greater privacy protections are needed in the U.S. Shifting to AI, the hosts were excited by Claude, Anthropic’s new AI chatbot alternative to ChatGPT. They were impressed with Claude’s ability to mimic a user’s writing style when provided samples and to generate content based on analyzing uploaded PDFs. Jason and Wes discussed AI’s potential to transform assessments, emphasizing the need for educators to thoughtfully integrate it into their practice. They also covered several other AI topics, including ethical AI development, using AI in Hollywood productions, and the Worldcoin project linking cryptocurrency to biometric facial/retinal scanning. In closing, Jason and Wes shared their “Geeks of the Week,” including downloadable instructions for 6800 Lego kits and the Google Robotics Lab Segment of the July 28th New York Times Hard Fork Podcast. The show was live-streamed and archived simultaneously on YouTube Live as well as Facebook Live via StreamYard.com. Please follow @edtechSR on Twitter and @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 claude.ai, as well as options for our show title!

Shownotes

  1. Subscribe to our EdTechSR Substack Newsletter!
  2. EdTech Situation Room Listener Survey: wfryer.me/edtechsr
  3. Follow @edtechSR on Twitter and on Mastodon!
  4. Audio podcast feed (Subscribe with iTunes or Stitcher)
  5. Video version on YouTube
  6. Check out our video podcast feed and subscribe to our YouTube Channel (episodes also in this YouTube playlist)
  7. Jason Neiffer (Mastodon: @neif@mastodon.cloud – Twitter: @techsavvyteach) – blog: blog.ncce.org
  8. Wes Fryer – wesfryer.com/after
  9. What Is Worldcoin? Here’s What To Know About The Eyeball-Scanning Crypto Project Launched By OpenAI’s Sam Altman (Forbes, 24 July 2023)
  10. Netflix Pulls AI Content Creation From Job Listing After Backlash (Newswekk; 31 July 2023)
  11. The Writers’ Strike Over AI Is Bigger Than Hollywood (The Markup; 29 July 2023)
  12. Google will ‘supercharge’ Assistant with AI that’s more like ChatGPT and Bard (The Verge; 31 July 2023)
  13. Dario Amodei, C.E.O. of Anthropic, on the Paradoxes of A.I. Safety and Netflix’s ‘Deep Fake Love’’ (New York TImes; 21 July 2023)
  14. OpEd: Lindsey Graham and Elizabeth Warren: When It Comes to Big Tech, Enough Is Enough (NYTimes, 27 July 2023) #GiftLink
  15. Meta loses battle in EU, will ask for consent to show personalized ads (ArsTechnica, 1 Aug 2023)
  16. Elon Musk’s Unmatched Power in the Stars (NYTimes, 28 July 2023) #GiftLink 
  17. Meta starts blocking news in Canada over law on paying publishers (Reuters, 1 Aug 2023)
  18. Google Chrome officially removing the download bar for a new tray UI (9to5Google, 2 Aug 2023)
  19. First look at the new Microsoft 365 Chromebook integration (About Chromebooks; 24 July 2023)
  20. ‘No sign’ Apple will launch generative AI in 2024, says Kuo (9to5Mac, 2 Aug 2023)
  21. Jason’s Geek of the Week: You Can Download Instructions for More Than 6,800 LEGO Kits for Free (LifeHacker; 29 July 2023)
  22. Wes’ Geek of the Week: Google Robotics Lab Segment, NYT Hard Fork Podcast (28 July 2023, at 40:00) – Mastodon share
Anders Sandberg on the Ethics of Uploading” (CC BY 2.0) by david.orban

EdTechSR Ep 240 Holiday Geek Gifts

Welcome to episode 240 (“Holiday Geek Gifts”) of the EdTech Situation Room from December 1, 2021, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach), Eric Langhorst (@elanghorst) and Wesley Fryer (@wfryer) shared “geek gift” ideas in advance of the 2021 holiday season. From charging devices to tracking tiles, from home office upgrades to security tools, we’ve got your holiday shopping needs for the geeks in your life covered! Check out our podcast shownotes for links to all referenced products and gift ideas. Our show was live streamed and archived simultaneously on YouTube Live as well as our Facebook Live page via StreamYard.com, and compressed to a smaller video version (about 100MB) on AmazonS3 using Handbrake software. Please follow us on Twitter @edtechSR for updates, and join us LIVE on Wednesday nights (normally) 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. Stay savvy and safe, and have a VERY happy holiday season!

Shownotes

  1. EdTech Situation Room Listener Survey: wfryer.me/edtechsr
  2. Follow @edtechSR on Twitter!
  3. Audio podcast feed (Subscribe with iTunes or Stitcher)
  4. Video version on YouTube
  5. Check out our video podcast feed and subscribe to our YouTube Channel (episodes also in this YouTube playlist)
  6. Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) – blog: blog.ncce.org
  7. Eric Langhorst (@elanghorst) – sites.google.com/view/ericlanghorst
  8. Wes Fryer (@wfryer) – wesfryer.com/after
  9. Blue Microphones Compass Premium Tube-Style Microphone Broadcast Boom Arm with Blue Yeti Mic ($199)
  10. Phive LED Task Lamp, 20 Watt Super Bright Desk Lamp with Clamp ($70)
  11. ComfiLife Anti Fatigue Floor Mat ($40)
  12. Amazon Basics Single Computer Monitor Stand – Height Adjustable Desk Arm Mount ($30) *this model currently unavailable but is linked to similar items, also consider a dual monitor stand
  13. Noun Project Subscription (educators $20 for one year)
  14. Book – How We Got to the Moon: The People, Technology, and Daring Feats of Science Behind Humanity’s Greatest Adventure by John Rocco ($16 hardcover)
  15. BONUS – Short video resources from author John Rocco – great for classroom use
  16. Lego Spike Prime Set ($340)
  17. Anker Accessories – https://amzn.to/31lS8m5
  18. Charging Solutions: Wall ChargerApple CablesAndroid CablesLow-End Battery Pack
  19. Speaker Products: Soundcore BOOM Outdoor Speaker and Soundcore 3 Portable Speaker
  20. High End Apple Audio: AirPods MaxAirPods Pro
  21. Stocking Tracker Options: Apple AirTagTile Trackers
  22. iRig Mic 2 ($130)
  23. NEEWER Adjustable Microphone Suspension Boom Scissor Arm ($10)
  24. YubiKey 5Ci FIPS ($90)
  25. USB Data Blocker (4 pack, $11)
  26. 6’ Amazon Basics Double Braided Nylon Lightning to USB Cable ($16.50)
  27. ThermoPro TP03 Digital Instant Read Meat Thermometer ($15)
  28. ESR Pencil Holder Compatible for Stylus ($10)
  29. NYT Wirecutter Gift Guides
  30. Eric’s Geek of the Week: Clip to Comic App – create cartoon like versions of your photos, good for sharing class photos if you don’t have permission to post student faces
  31. Jason’s Geek of the Week: camelcamelcamel.com
  32. Wes’ Geek of the Week: Teaching About “Froot Loop Conspiracy Theories” and Web Literacy

EdTech Situation Room Episode 141

Welcome to episode 141 of the EdTech Situation Room from July 17, 2019, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) and Wesley Fryer (@wfryer) discussed the forthcoming commercial release of Boston Robotics’ “Spot” robot, Jony Ive’s announced departure from Apple, updates to the Apple portable laptops, and Amazon’s policy to basically keep user audio recordings from Alexa forever. Privacy concerns over the new FaceApp smartphone app, kids bullied into spending money in Fortnite, a Citizen’s Guide to Fake News, and the power of social media influencers were also explored. Additional topics included the possible return of Google Glass to help autistic children, YouTube educational playlists without recommended videos, and ‘the toxic potential of YouTube’s feedback loop.’ 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.

Shownotes:

  1. EdTech Situation Room Listener Survey: wfryer.me/edtechsr
  2. Follow @edtechSR on Twitter!
  3. Audio podcast feed (Subscribe with iTunes or Stitcher)
  4. Video version on YouTube
  5. Check out our video podcast feed and subscribe to our YouTube Channel (episodes also in this YouTube playlist)
  6. Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) – blog: blog.ncce.org
  7. Wes Fryer (@wfryer) – blog: speedofcreativity.org
  8. Book: “Old Boston – As Wild As They Come” by Kent Brooks (@kentbrooks)
  9. Boston Dynamics’ robots are preparing to leave the lab — is the world ready? (The Verge, 17 July 2019)
  10. Jony Ive Is Leaving Apple (Wired; 27June 2019)
  11. Apple Macbook Air (2019) Review: The New Normal (The Verge; 17 July 2019)
  12. Amazon confirms it keeps your Alexa recordings basically forever (ArsTechnica; 3 July 2019)
  13. Can you trust FaceApp with your face? (BBC News; 17 July 2019)
  14. Fortnite is free, but kids are getting bullied into spending money (Polygon; 7 June 2019)
  15. A Citizen’s Guide to Fake News (Center for Information Technology & Society, University of California Santa Barbara)
  16. Don’t Scoff at Influencers. They’re Taking Over the World. (New York Times; 16 July 2019)
  17. Google Glass May Have an Afterlife as a Device to Teach Autistic Children (New York Times; 17 July 2019)
  18. YouTube is launching educational playlists that won’t show recommended videos (Verge, 11 July 2019)
  19. The Toxic Potential of YouTube’s Feedback Loop (Wired, 13 July 2019)
  20. Jason’s Geek of the Week: Reply All Podcast
  21. Wes’ Geeks of the Week: Video Annotation Tools VideoAnt and Vialogues
methodshop by methodshop.com, on Flickr

methodshop” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by methodshop.com

EdTech Situation Room Episode 118

Welcome to episode 118 of the EdTech Situation Room from December 12, 2018, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) and Wesley Fryer (@wfryer) co-hosted a special episode titled, the 2018 Technology Shopping Cart! They shared and discussed a variety of different technology and geek oriented gift ideas. Gift categories included smartphone stuff, The Internet of Things (IoT), books, robots, STEM/STEAM lab, miscellaneous gadgets, home networking equipment, photography and videography, software, nerd paper gear, baggage, stocking stuffers, and other ideas. 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.

Shownotes:

  1. EdTech Situation Room Listener Survey: wfryer.me/edtechsr
  2. Follow @edtechSR on Twitter!
  3. Audio podcast feed (Subscribe with iTunes or Stitcher)
  4. Video version on YouTube
  5. Check out our video podcast feed and subscribe to our YouTube Channel (episodes also in this YouTube playlist)
  6. Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) – blog: blog.ncce.org
  7. Wes Fryer (@wfryer) – blog: speedofcreativity.org
  8. Referenced gift ideas and links for this special Technology Shopping Cart episode are linked on this separate Google Doc
  9. Used iPhone from Swappa
  10. Smartphone Ring Grip
  11. Google Hub Home
  12. Echo Dot (3rd Generation)
  13. Echo (2nd Generation)
  14. Wemo Smart Plug
  15. iClever Outdoor Smart Plug
  16. Tiles
  17. Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by @GregoryMcKeown
  18. Art & Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking
  19. The Book of Learning and Forgetting by Frank Smith
  20. Teach Like a Pirate
  21. Why Don’t Students Like School?
  22. Getting Things Done
  23. Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business by Neil Postman
  24. Technopoly: The Surrender of Culture to Technology by Neil Postman
  25. The End of Education: Redefining the Value of School by Neil Postman
  26. Teaching As a Subversive Activity by Neil Postman
  27. Building a Bridge to the 18th Century: How the Past Can Improve Our Future by Neil Postman
  28. Sew Electric
  29. Wes’ Amazon Reading Wishlist
  30. Edison Robot
  31. Thymio Robot (@TechyKids by @sharonmarzouk)
  32. Dash (@WonderWorkshop)
  33. Ozobot
  34. Lego Robots
  35. Roomba!
  36. MicroBit
  37. Makey Makey
  38. Drawdio
  39. Google Wifi
  40. eero Home WiFi System
  41. Circle by Disney
  42. Scapple
  43. Screenflow
  44. Epidemic Sound (subscription for a YouTuber in your life)
  45. SnagIt by TechSmith
  46. Field Notes, or the Budget-Minded Alternative, Field Books
  47. Moleskine Notebooks
  48. Zebra F-701 Pen
  49. Fisher Space Pen
  50. 5.11 Tactical Gear
  51. Timbuk2
  52. Monoprice 8323 Headphones (or with Bluetooth)
  53. Monoprice Melody Large Bluetooth Speaker
  54. Monoprice Harmony Bluetooth Speaker
  55. MicroSD Cards (128gb; 256gb)
  56. Monoprice Shoe String Apple MFi Certified Lightning to USB Charge & Sync Cable
  57. Anker Power Bank
  58. Anker Powerline Cables for USB-C, Apple Lightning, MicroUSB
  59. Tactical Flashlights: J5 Tactical LED Mini
  60. Learning in Hand Premium Tshirt (@tonyvincent)
  61. Gear Used and Recommended by Tony Vincent
  62. Brother QL-800 Label Printer
  63. Tesla Apparel
  64. Space X Apparel and Branded Items
  65. Embark Dog DNA Test Kit
  66. Sell your used technology on Swappa
  67. Wes’ Video Library
  68. Wes Fryer’s Photo Products Store on Society6
  69. Wes’ books

EdTech Situation Room Episode 102

Welcome to episode 102 of the EdTech Situation Room from August 8, 2018, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) and Wesley Fryer (@wfryer) discussed an update to this summer’s MacBook Pro Throttling Controversy, the upcoming death of Flash functionality in 2020, and the importance of being wary when you see pop-up ads to “update flash” and other software on your computer. The recent decisions by Apple, YouTube/Google and Facebook to ban / take down websites and media channels of Alex Jones / InfoWars was also addressed, along with Facebook’s takedown of suspected Russian network pages. Jason shared a shout-out to the helpful updating software “Ninite” for Windows, and Wes shared a shout out to his school’s “Digital Citizenship Conversations” website as well. The perils of digital voting was discussed, along with the ongoing controversy over 3D printable guns. Amy Webb’s recent prediction that “smartphones will be gone in 10 years” and other trends identified through her “Future Today Institute.” The recent news that voice-based phone calls are finally in decline in Britain, Logitech’s purchase of Blue Microphones, a cautionary tale for users of free VPN services whose data is sold to advertisers, and an eye opening Guardian article about Russian hacking forums were also highlighted in the show. Google’s required use of physical identity keys for two step verification and the perils of using SMS as well as app-based verification methods for two step authentication was explored as well. Geeks of the week included Promevo (by Jason) and Explorables (by Wes). Please follow us on Twitter @edtechSR to stay up to date about upcoming shows, and share feedback with us about the show on Twitter or via a comment on our website.

Shownotes:

  1. EdTech Situation Room Listener Survey: wfryer.me/edtechsr
  2. Follow @edtechSR on Twitter!
  3. Audio podcast feed (Subscribe with iTunes or Stitcher)
  4. Video version on YouTube
  5. Check out our video podcast feed and subscribe to our YouTube Channel (episodes also in this YouTube playlist)
  6. Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) – blog: blog.ncce.org
  7. Wes Fryer (@wfryer) – blog: speedofcreativity.org
  8. Update: Apple Addresses MacBook Pro Throttling Controversy After Working With YouTuber Dave Lee (MacRumors; 24 July 2018)
  9. Senator Asks US Government to Remove Flash From Federal Sites, Computers (Bleeping Computer, 25 July 2018)
  10. Ninite: Install and Update All Your Programs at Once
  11. Op-ed – Alex Jones is a crackpot—but banning him from Facebook might be a bad idea (ArsTechnica, 6 Aug 2018)
  12. Facebook confirms discovery of new ‘inauthentic’ social media campaign ahead of US midterm elections (The Verge; 31 July 2018)
  13. Facebook takes down suspected Russian network of pages (CNN; 31 July 2018)
  14. Digital Citizenship Conversations website from Casady School
  15. Experts criticize West Virginia’s plan for smartphone voting (ArsTechnica, 8 Aug 2018)
  16. 3D-printed (and CNC-milled) guns: Nine questions you were too afraid to ask (5 Aug 2018)
  17. Smartphones will be gone in 10 years (Amy Webb in Business Insider, 30 Oct 2017)
  18. 235 Emerging Tech Trends For 2018 (Amy Webb, 25 March 2018)
  19. Amy Webb: Futurist and Author
  20. Future Today Institute
  21. Voice calls drop despite smartphone fever (BBC News; 1 August 2018)
  22. Logitech Buys Blue Microphones (PC Magazine; 31 July 2018)
  23. Be Careful With Free VPNs: Your Data Might Be Going to Advertisers (PC magazine; 31 July 2018)
  24. My terrifying deep dive into one of the largest dark web hacking forums (Guardian, 24 July 2018)
  25. Google – Security Keys Neutralized Employee Phishing (Brian Krebs, 23 July 2018)
  26. Google made the Titan Key to toughen up your online security (CNet; 25 July 2018)
  27. Reddit Breach Highlights Limits of SMS-Based Authentication (Brian Krebs, 1 Aug 2018)
  28. Have I Been Hacked / Pwned (use your email address to check if it was part of historic information hacks)
  29. Jason’s Geek of the Week: Promevo – G Suite and Chromebook Reseller
  30. Wes’ Geek of the Week: “Explorables: snippets of complexity” by @DirkBrockmann

EdTech Situation Room Episode 101

Welcome to episode 101 of the EdTech Situation Room from July 25, 2018, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) and Wesley Fryer (@wfryer) discussed automation and the technological trajectory of our society, potentially toward dystopia, informed by Douglass Rushkoff’s “Survival of the Richest” article shared in early July. This led to discussions about the weaponization of news via social media, as highlighted by danah boyd in a recent lecture in Detroit available on YouTube, recent revelations about voting machine vulnerabilities to hackers via remote access, and the cautionary tale provided by Ukraine in recent years on Russian hackers’ capabilities to bring a society’s institutions to a standstill via cyberwarfare. On the less depressing technology news front, Jason and Wes discussed the recent hoopla of Apple throttling MacBook Pro laptops revealed by a user on YouTube, and Apple’s release of an iOS version which provides better support for privacy and travelers passing through customs inspections where equipment may be used to copy iPhone data via USB tools. On the Google front, Jason discussed identified speed issues with web browsers and the YouTube website, the recent EU fine of Google for anti-trust legal violations, the opinion that Android has (positively) created more choice in the global smartphone market, and an update on Google’s Chromecast technology which celebrated its 5th birthday. Facebook’s legal challenges and potential fines in Great Britain over Brexit, rumors of a Microsoft-branded smartphone, updates to Microsoft Teams software, slow growth in the PC industry, and the continued revelation of more backdoors in Cisco routers (5 at this point) rounded out this episode’s topics. Geeks of the Week included Loom, a Chrome extension for screencasting, the Apple Magic Pad running on Chrome, Reddit (it’s not just for trolls), DocHub (for PDF annotation and digital signing) and the new documentary “This is AI” by IBM and Discovery. Please follow us on @edtechSR for updates and join us LIVE on Wednesday nights if you can for our show!

Shownotes:

  1. EdTech Situation Room Listener Survey: wfryer.me/edtechsr
  2. Follow @edtechSR on Twitter!
  3. Audio podcast feed (Subscribe with iTunes or Stitcher)
  4. Video version on YouTube
  5. Check out our video podcast feed and subscribe to our YouTube Channel (episodes also in this YouTube playlist)
  6. Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) – blog: blog.ncce.org
  7. Wes Fryer (@wfryer) – blog: speedofcreativity.org
  8. Blackboard Announces Winners of 2018 Catalyst Awards (includes the Montana Digital Academy)
  9. Survival of the Richest (@rushkoff on Medium, 5 July 2018)
  10. VIDEO: Future of Information with danah boyd (21 July 2019 – Highlighted takeaways: Understanding the Weaponization of News Media with danah boyd (Wes’ takes)
  11. Top Voting Machine Vendor Admits It Installed Remote-Access Software on Systems Sold to States (Motherboard; 17 July 2018)
  12. This Week In Tech 676: Falling Asleep As The Robots Wake Up
  13. How An Entire Nation Became Russia’s Test Lab for Cyberwar (Wired, 20 June 2018)
  14. Caliphate Podcast Series by the New York Times (speaks to the potential for radicalization of youth via Internet technologies)
  15. YouTuber Claims 15-Inch MacBook Pro With Upgraded Core i9 Chip is Severely Throttled Due to Thermal Issues (MacRumors; 17 July 2018)
  16. Apple releases iOS 11.4.1 with USB Restricted Mode (Wired, 9 July 2018)
  17. Free Online Literacy Activities for Chromebook Learners (Presentation slides by Wes from 21 July 2018)
  18. How to make YouTube five times faster if you don’t use Chrome (The Verge; 25 July 2018)
  19. Google fined a record $5 billion by the EU for Android antitrust violations (The Verge; 18 July 2018)
  20. Android has created more choice, not less (Google Blog; 18 July 2018)
  21. Google’s Chromecast is five years old today [Update: Chromecast history from Google] (Android Policy; 24 July 2018)
  22. Facebook Is Facing Its First Fine Over the Cambridge Analytica Privacy Scandal (Time; 11 July 2018)
  23. Microsoft Store employee claims a Microsoft-branded phone is launching soon (Windows Latest; 14 July 2018)
  24. Microsoft introduces a free version of Teams, going head-to-head with Slack (All About Microsoft; 12 July 2018)
  25. The PC Industry (Barely) Grew for the First Time in 6 Years (Thurrott.com; 15 July 2018)
  26. Backdoors Keep Appearing In Cisco’s Routers (Tom’s Hardware, 19 July 2018)
  27. DARPA pushes for AI that can explain its decisions (Engadget, 23 July 2018)
  28. Peggy’s Geek of the Week: Loom (Google Chrome extension for screencasting)
  29. Jasons Geeks of the Week: PSA: The Apple Magic Pad Works Well with Your Chromebook! and Reddit… not just for trolls 🙂
  30. Wes’ Geeks of the Week: DocHub (for browser-based PDF annotation / digital signing) and Documentary: This is AI (by IBM and The Discovery Channel)

EdTech Situation Room Episode 85

Welcome to episode 85 of the EdTech Situation Room from February 7, 2018, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) and Wes Fryer (@wfryer) discussed Chrome blocking autoplay videos, Smartwatch privacy issues, amazing LIDAR discoveries in Guatemalan jungles, work by the Center for Humane Technology, and changing norms with Smartphone memory capacity. Additional topics included Apple’s HomePod release and Apple’s AI lag behind Google and Amazon, new smart glasses from Intel, Best Buy discontinuing CD sales, expected impacts of 5G cellular wireless, and recommendations for home mesh routers. Geeks of the week included the Common Voice Project by Mozilla (from Wes) and “Android Lite” apps for situations with poor connectivity (Jason). Note we will NOT have a show next week on February 14th / Valentine’s Day, but will return on our regular schedule February 21st, Check out all our shownotes (including articles we did not have time to discuss this week) on http://edtechSR.com – Stay safe and stay savvy, friends!

Shownotes:

  1. EdTech Situation Room Listener Survey: wfryer.me/edtechsr
  2. Follow @edtechSR on Twitter!
  3. Audio podcast feed (Subscribe with iTunes or Stitcher)
  4. Video version on YouTube
  5. Check out our video podcast feed and subscribe to our YouTube Channel (episodes also in this YouTube playlist)
  6. Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) – blog: blog.ncce.org
  7. Wes Fryer (@wfryer) – blog: speedofcreativity.org
  8. Google Chrome now lets you permanently mute annoying websites (Verge, 25 Jan 2018)
  9. Facebook should shut down Messenger Kids, child advocates say (30 January 2018)
  10. Laser Scans Reveal Maya “Megalopolis” Below Guatemalan Jungle (National Geographic, 2 February 2018)
  11. Center for Humane Technology (@HumaneTech_)
  12. Apple Homepod Review: Locked In (The Verge, 7 February 2018)
  13. 64GB phones aren’t big enough for me anymore (The Verge, 29 January 2018)
  14. Shout out to TIDE Podcast 95 (@TIDEpodcast) and the Amazfit Bip smartwatch ($60)
  15. LG Urbane Urbane Smartwatch
  16. Pentagon reviews policy after fitness app reveals military locations (Engadget, 29 January 2018)
  17. Pebble is dead and hardware buttons are going with it (The Verge, 27 January 2018)
  18. ProHDR App for Android and Pro HDR X App for iOS
  19. Intel Made Smart Glasses That Look Normal (The Verge, 5 February 2018)
  20. Google Glass (English WikiPedia)
  21. Best Buy will stop selling CDs — good riddance (The Next Web, 5 February 2018)
  22. How 5G could change everything from music to medicine (CNN, 5 February 2018)
  23. The Best Wi-Fi Mesh-Networking Kits for Most People (Wirecutter by NYT, 22 Jan 2018)
  24. Windows 10 S becoming a mode, not a version, as Microsoft shakes up its pricing (Arts Technica, 5 February 2018)
  25. Wes’ Geek of the Week: Common Voice Project by Mozilla
  26. Jason’s Geek of the Week: Bad Network? These Lite Android Apps Will Still Work (Make Use Of, 5 February 2018)

EdTech Situation Room Episode 60

Welcome to episode 60 of the EdTech Situation Room from August 9, 2017, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) and Wes Fryer (@wfryer) discussed the celebrated death of a podcasting patent, revised password recommendations for users, hacked school Twitter accounts, new STEM-focused badges for Girl Scouts, and summer experiments with BadgeList.com. Additional topics included the recent Google broohaha over a sexist employee-authored memo, a new study further debunking the “digital native” myth, digital identity with Yoti, a predicted cyborg evolution for humanity, Jason’s new Windows 10S experiment, and a creepy prototype of a self-driving truck. Geeks of the week included The Hackable Podcast by McAfee (from Jason) and “Send by FireFox” (from Wes). Wes also shared a flashback memory from 2010 involving the “FireSheep” extension for FireFox. Check out the podcast shownotes for links to a post about that incident and all the referenced articles / resources from the show. Follow us on Twitter @edtechSR to stay up to date about upcoming shows. Please try to join us LIVE online if you can, normally on Wednesday nights at 10 pm Eastern / 9 pm Central / 8 pm Mountain / 7 pm Pacific.

Shownotes:

  1. EdTech Situation Room Listener Survey: wfryer.me/edtechsr
  2. Follow @edtechSR on Twitter!
  3. Audio podcast feed (Subscribe with iTunes or Stitcher)
  4. Video version on YouTube
  5. Check out our video podcast feed and subscribe to our YouTube Channel (episodes also in this YouTube playlist)
  6. Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) – blog: blog.ncce.org
  7. Wes Fryer (@wfryer) – blog: speedofcreativity.org
  8. “Podcasting patent” is totally dead, appeals court rules (ArsTechnica, 7 Aug 2017)
  9. Girl Scouts add new STEM badges in robotics, coding, and racecar design (The Verge, 25 July 2017)
  10. Olin College (“A New Kind of Engineering College”)
  11. Create, Make and Learn Institute
  12. Harvey Mudd College
  13. Hacking of school district’s Twitter account is cautionary tale (TC Palm, 4 Aug 2017)
  14. The Man Who Wrote Those Password Rules Has a New Tip: N3v$r M1^d! (Wall Street Journal, 7 August 2017)
  15. Windows 10 S Now Installable on “existing Windows 10 education devices” How to download and install Windows 10 S (Beta News, 1 August 2017)
  16. Test Windows 10 S on existing Windows 10 education devices (Windows IT Center, 4 August 2017)
  17. The “Cobra Effect” that is disabling paste on password fields (May 2014, @troyhunt)
  18. This self-driving truck has no room for a human driver — literally (@andyjayhawk @verge, 5 July 2017)
  19. The digital native is a myth (Nature, 25 July 2017)
  20. Humans ‘will become God-like cyborgs within 200 years (Telegraph, 7 Aug 2017)
  21. Yoti Is Your Digital Identity (Great backstory on The Committed Podcast Ep 180)
  22. Google Controversy: Damore Went From Intern to Pariah in Google Tenure Ended by Memo (Bloomberg, 8 Aug 2017)
  23. So, about this Googler’s manifesto. (5 Aug 2017, @yonatanzunger)
  24. Security Now Podcast
  25. Pokemon Go oh no no no, we’re not reading your email, says gamemaker (7/2016, The Register)
  26. Catfishing (WikiPedia)
  27. Firesheep should get your ATTENTION: Open Public Wifi Dangers are REAL (Nov 2010, Wes Fryer)
  28. Jason’s Geek of the Week: The Hackable Podcast by McAfee
  29. Wes’ Geek of the Week: Send by FireFox – Private, Encrypted File Sharing (backstory)

EdTech Situation Room Episode 59

Welcome to episode 59 of the EdTech Situation Room from August 2, 2017, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) and Wes Fryer (@wfryer) discussed Apple’s recent favorable quarterly earnings report, Tim Cook’s alleged statements to President Trump about Apple manufacturing returning (at least in part) to the USA mainland, the relatively low influence of peer-journaled research in most K-12 educational purchasing decisions, and the implications of genetic modification / genomics in recently announced insect eradication campaigns in the US as well as a breakthrough human embryo genetic mutation “edit.” Other topics addressed included solar eclipse sunglasses scams on Amazon (buyer beware!), some excellent explanatory videos and articles about cryptocurrencies and the “blockchain” (including Bitcoin), the announced death of Flash as a supported web technology from Adobe in 2020, and recent hacks to Verizon customers as well as an alarmingly saavy web user whose AT&T iPhone account was compromised in a targeted attacked even though he had 2-step verification turned on as well as an account passcode. (The AT&T call center rep was the weak link and granted account access to the hacker without the required customer pass phrase.) Lastly, an article prediction that SpaceX will become the leading global Internet Service Provider (ISP) when they triple the number of communication satellites in earth orbit, and the current battle of Snopes to raise money and remain financially solvent were discussed. Geeks of the week included ShoutKey, a website for sharing time-limited shortened web links / URLs with plain English words easy to spell (Wes) and an Anker solar charger for digital devices (Jason). Jason also announced the “Chromebook App List” on the NCCE blog, and Wes shared he will be presenting for Classroom 2.0 Live on Saturday, August 12th. (Note: This is a correction from the date shared during this episode). Please check our shownotes below and links on http://edtechsr.com/links for all referenced articles and resources from this episode. Follow us on Twitter @edtechSR to stay up to date about upcoming shows. Please try to join us LIVE online if you can, normally on Wednesday nights at 10 pm Eastern / 9 pm Central / 8 pm Mountain / 7 pm Pacific.

Shownotes:

  1. EdTech Situation Room Listener Survey: wfryer.me/edtechsr
  2. Follow @edtechSR on Twitter!
  3. Audio podcast feed (Subscribe with iTunes or Stitcher)
  4. Video version on YouTube
  5. Check out our video podcast feed and subscribe to our YouTube Channel (episodes also in this YouTube playlist)
  6. Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) – blog: blog.ncce.org
  7. Wes Fryer (@wfryer) – blog: speedofcreativity.org
  8. After three years, iPad sales are up again for Apple (ArsTechnica, 1 August 2017)
  9. Tim Cook on Trump’s Apple Factories Statement: Let’s Talk About Something Else (MacObserver, 1 August 2017)
  10. How Much Do Educators Care About Edtech Efficacy? Less Than You Might Think (EdSurge, 17 July 2017)
  11. Genetically Modified Moth May Soon Be Coming to New York Crops (Smithsonian Magazine, 11 July 2017)
  12. In Breakthrough, Scientists Edit a Dangerous Mutation From Genes in Human Embryos (NY Times, 2 August 2017)
  13. 23andMe: DNA Genetic Testing & Analysis
  14. Buyer Beware: Don’t blindly trust companies selling solar eclipse glasses on Amazon (The Verge; 25 July 2017)
  15. Radiolab Episode on Cryptocurrency zCash: “The Ceremony” (14 July 2017)
  16. Ever wonder how Bitcoin (and other cryptocurrencies) actually work? (3Blue1Brown, 1 July 2017) h/t @legoarf
  17. RIP Flash (1995-2020): Adobe will finally kill Flash in 2020 (The Verge, 25 July 2017)
  18. Millions of Verizon customer records exposed in security lapse (ZDNet, 12 July 2017)
  19. I Got Hacked & All I Got Was This New SIM Card (@justin, 7 July 2017)
  20. Will SpaceX become world’s biggest telecoms provider? Probably.” (@gavinsblog, 15 July 2017)
  21. Fake News Watch: Snopes, in Heated Legal Battle, Asks Readers for Money to Survive (New York Times, 24 July 2017)
  22. Geeks of the Week from Jason: Anker Solar ChargerChromebook App List
  23. Geeks of the Week from Wes: ShoutKeyWes on Classroom 2.0 Live Saturday August 12th

EdTech Situation Room Episode 57

Welcome to episode 57 of the EdTech Situation Room from July 12, 2017, where technology news meets educational analysis. Visit http://edtechsr.com/links to access all referenced links from our show. This week Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) and Wes Fryer (@wfryer) discussed takeaways and “tired edtech trends” from the 2017 ISTE Conference in San Antonio. They demonstrated the new “Seeing AI” app from Microsoft, which amazingly has been FIRST released for iOS / iPhone / iPad, and discussed several noteworthy and recent podcasts, videos and articles relating to artificial intelligence. Other addressed topics included Google’s new integrated Drive & Photos ‘Backup & Sync’ app, a recent study finding the mere presence of a cell phone reduces brain power, #FontGate in Pakistan, a tragic story of attempted YouTube stardom, and reviews of the new Microsoft laptop. Geeks of the week included “Gypsy Guide” for iOS driving tours, the web series “Do Not Track,” and the amazing slide collection (for PowerPoint and Google Slides) SlideModel.com. Be sure to follow us on Twitter @edtechSR to stay up to date on upcoming shows! Next week we will have a special episode focusing specifically on Net Neutrality. If you are a US citizen, but sure to visit www.savetheinternet.com NOW to contact both the FCC and your elected officials in Washington to voice your support for Net Neutrality and opposition to proposed regulations which would fundamentally harm the Internet as we know and use it today. Make your voice be heard – speak out! Then join us next week as we break down the issues at stake surrounding net neutrality in greater detail.

Shownotes:

  1. EdTech Situation Room Listener Survey: wfryer.me/edtechsr
  2. Follow @edtechSR on Twitter!
  3. Audio podcast feed (Subscribe with iTunes or Stitcher)
  4. Video version on YouTube
  5. Check out our video podcast feed and subscribe to our YouTube Channel (episodes also in this YouTube playlist)
  6. Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) – blog: blog.ncce.org
  7. Wes Fryer (@wfryer) – blog: speedofcreativity.org
  8. Create Image Collages with Google Drawings (Wes Fryer, 13 June 2017)
  9. Tired Edtech Trends That Teachers Wish Would Retire: From the Floor of ISTE 2017 (EdSurge, 4 July 2017)
  10. Tour of Seesaw 5.0 (video)
  11. Circuit Sticker Sketchbook
  12. Podcast453: Reflections on ISTE 2017 and iPad Media Camp – Jackson, Wyoming
  13. Microsoft Releases Seeing AI on iOS (Microsoft)
  14. Technology and the Future: A Vision of Our Lives in 2050 (World Affairs, 29 March 2017)
  15. Movie: “Ghost in the Shell” (2017)
  16. AI is Eating Software … and Getting Smarter by the Second (SmartUp, 14 May 2017)
  17. In the AI Age, “Being Smart” Will Mean Something Completely Different (Harvard Business Review, 19 June 2017)
  18. Google looks to make Chrome OS much more touch-friendly than before (Android Authority, 8 July 2017)
  19. The Mere Presence of Your Smartphone Reduces Brain Power, Study Shows (UT-Austin, 26 June 2017)
  20. In attempt to achieve YouTube stardom, woman accidentally kills her boyfriend (ArsTechnica, 30 June 2017)
  21. Combined Google Drive & Photos ‘Backup & Sync’ app available for Mac, Windows (9to5Google, 12 July 2017)
  22. iPhone Can Scan QR Codes Directly in Camera App on iOS 11 (MacRumors, 6 June 2017)
  23. How a Microsoft font could lead to the removal of Pakistan’s Prime Minister #FontGate (Mashable, 12 July 2017)
  24. Surface Laptop Two Week Review: Microsoft’s Stunning First Notebook Great For Today’s Use Cases (Forbes, 7 July 2017)
  25. REVIEW: Microsoft’s newest laptop delivers a knockout punch to the MacBook — so long as you perform one simple step (Business Insider, 8 July 2017)
  26. Tuesday’s massive ransomware outbreak was, in fact, something much worse (ArsTechnica, 28 June 2017)
  27. Clockwise Podcast (@clockwisepod)
  28. BackBlaze: Recommended online backup platform
  29. Why you should ignore the Jayden K Smith Facebook hoax (BBC News, 10 July 2017)
  30. Facebook and Google join net neutrality ‘day of action’ (Engadget, 7 July 2017)
  31. Save the Internet: Speak Out for Net Neutrality
  32. BadgeList badges for iPad Media Camp
  33. Jason’s Geek of the Week: SlideModel.com for Google Slides
  34. Wes’ Geeks of the Week: Gypsy Guide – Yellowstone & Grand Teton Tour App Combo ($9) and Do Not Track: a personalized web series about privacy and the web economy by @remixmanifesto (via @cogdog)