EdTech Situation Room Episode 84

Welcome to episode 84 of the EdTech Situation Room from January 31, 2018, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) and Wes Fryer (@wfryer) discussed the weaponization of information as propaganda via online advertising and what this portends for open / democratic societies, exhortations from leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos relating to education and artificial intelligence, and the financial impact of Facebook’s recently announced changes to its news feed algorithm. Additional topics included the EU’s GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and what those privacy directives might mean for schools and educational technology use, Google’s embrace of Neverware, Apple rumors about new processors to power new Macs, dramatic reductions in iPhone 10 production numbers, and Google’s success (as well as struggle) vetting apps and removing those which violate its terms of service. Access all our shownotes (including links to articles we didn’t have time to discuss) on http://edtechSR.com/links and follow us on Twitter @edtechSR for updates. Thanks for tuning in, please shout out to us on Twitter and consider writing a favorable review of us on iTunes or elsewhere online. We love listener feedback!

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. People spent 50 million hours less per day on Facebook last quarter (ReCode 31 January 2018)
  9. Facebook usage falls in the US as it begins to tinker with the News Feed (The Verge, 31 January 2018)
  10. Facebook reduces time spent by 2 min/user/day to push well-being (TechCrunch, 31 January 2018)
  11. Here Comes Everybody: The Power of Organizing Without Organizations by Clay Shirky (@cshirky)
  12. VIDEO from 2009: Clay Shirky on New Book “Here Comes Everybody”
  13. 72 Years of Free Barbecue (video from 2010 by Wes about the XIT Rodeo in Dalhart, Texas)
  14. 6 quotes from Davos on the future of education (World Economic Forum, 26 Jan 2018)
  15. Tech is now a weapon for propaganda and the problem is way bigger than Russia (ReCode Decode Podcast, 31 January 2018)
  16. Information Anxiety by Richard Wurman
  17. Digital Deceit: The Technologies Behind Precision Propaganda on the Internet (New America, 23 Jan 2018)
  18. Google CEO: AI is ‘more profound than electricity or fire’ (CNN, 24 January 2018)
  19. The General Data Protection Regulation Explained (EduCause Review, 28 Aug 2017)
  20. GDPR: English WikiPedia article
  21. Official GDPR Portal
  22. Is Seesaw GDPR compliant? (Seesaw Blog, 13 Dec 2017)
  23. Privacy Shield Framework
  24. Google took down over 700,000 bad Android apps in 2017 (The Verge, 30 January 2018)
  25. The sad state of Android: Google removed over 700,000 bad apps last year (BGR, 31 Jan 2018)
  26. BETT 2018: Google And Neverware Revive Old Computers (Chrome Unboxed, 23 January 2018)
  27. Chrome 64 Arrives With Site Muting, HDR Support, Spectre And Meltdown Protection (Chrome Unboxed, 26 January 2018)
  28. Acer Chrome OS Tablet Display Details Revealed (Chrome Unboxed, 31 January 2018)
  29. Apple could let you run iPad apps on your Mac (TechCrunch, 31 Jan 2018)
  30. Apple tipped to launch three new Macs, with its own processors (T3/MSN, 30 January 2018)
  31. Apple reportedly slashes iPhone X orders in half due to slow sales (BGR, 29 Jan 2018)
  32. Jason’s Geek of the Week: Google Flights… new interface and functions now in beta!
  33. Wes’ Geeks of the Week: Stranger Things Seasons 1 and 2 (NetFlix) and Certify’em – Google Forms add-on to make certificates for students at school! (s/o to @pgeorge – more on this post by @meagan_e_kelly)

EdTech Situation Room Episode 83

Welcome to episode 83 of the EdTech Situation Room from January 24, 2018, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) and Wes Fryer (@wfryer) discussed the Montana governor’s announcement to require net neutrality respect from ISPs with state contracts, the Hawaii governor’s Twitter password gaffe during the recent false ICBM alert incident, and a series of new Google announcements relating to an IT certification program and cybersecurity spinoff company. Additional topics included new affordable laptops from Lenovo, Acer, and Microsoft targeting the education market, wifi issues with Chromecast and Google Home devices, and some Apple updates on battery throttling, HomePod, and the Siri Assistant who can new read daily news briefings like Google Home and Alexa. The show rounded out with a discussion of new YouTube changes to channel monetization eligibility, the issues raised around “YouTube pranking culture” by the Logan Paul Japan suicide video, and a shout out to Ben Wilkoff’s new “Educator and Student Youtube 1000 List.” Please follow us on Twitter for updates and links to our live shows on Wednesday night on YouTube. Check out the full list of links, including some we did not cover in this episode, 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. Montana governor signs executive order to keep net neutrality in the state (The Verge; 22 January 2018)
  9. Hawaii governor forgot Twitter password during false missile alert crisis (The Verge; 23 January 2018)
  10. Google Launches New IT Course, Offers Access to Jobs and Scholarships (Fortune, 16 Jan 2018)
  11. Google finds STEM skills aren’t the most important skills (Michigan Future, 5 Jan 2018)
  12. Alphabet’s Latest Moonshot Graduate Is Tackling Cybersecurity (Fortune, 24 Jan 2018)
  13. Graduation Day: Introducing Chronicle – Cybersecurity needs a moonshot (@AstroTeller, 24 Jan 2018)
  14. What is Google’s Fuchsia OS, anyway? (9 to 5 Google, 23 January 2018)
  15. Google teases I/O 2018 with a pineapple cake and a series of riddles (Verge, 24 Jan 2018)
  16. Over 90 percent of Gmail users still don’t use two-factor authentication (Verge, 23 Jan 2018)
  17. Lenovo Expands Educational Chromebook Lineup (Chrome Unboxed; 22 January 2018)
  18. Acer Announces A New Chromebox and 2 New Chromebooks (23 January 2018)
  19. Microsoft challenges Chromebooks with $189 Windows 10 laptops for schools (The Verge; 22 January 2018)
  20. [Update] Google’s Chromecast and Home devices can cause temporary Wi-Fi outages, here’s why (9 to 5 Google, 15 January 2018)
  21. Have you experienced Google Home- or Chromecast-related Wi-Fi outages? [Poll] (9 to 5 Google, 16 January 2018)
  22. Apple confirms iOS 11.3 will let you turn off controversial throttling of older iPhones (The Verge 24 January 2018)
  23. Apple’s Siri-equipped HomePod comes to your home on February 9 (ArsTechnica, 23 Jan 2018)
  24. Apple CEO Tim Cook Explains Why You’ll Want the HomePod (Fortune, 24 Jan 2018)
  25. iPhone users can now ask Siri to read daily news podcasts (Verge, 23 Jan 2018)
  26. Apple is adding a new Privacy icon to iOS and macOS to prevent iCloud password phishing (Verge, 24 Jan 2018)
  27. Jason’s Geek of the Week: The New York Times Podcast Club
  28. Wes’ Geeks of the Week: “The Secret of Tuxedo Park” (@AmExperiencePBS documentary) and Flixable (Flixable Helps You Find the Perfect Thing to Watch on Netflix – Lifehacker, 23 Jan 2018)

ICBM by nerd_gold, on Flickr
ICBM” (CC BY 2.0) by nerd_gold

EdTech Situation Room Episode 76

Welcome to episode 76 of the EdTech Situation Room from December 6, 2017, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) and Wes Fryer (@wfryer) discussed the viability of antivirus software on client computers and the prospects for brain implants (mind-computer interfaces) as described by a current neurosurgeon. Additional topics included Windows 10 ARM laptops, the public health risks posed by Facebook and Google, digital distractions, and Amazon Prime video finally coming to AppleTV. Google-related topics included the current spat over selling products on Amazon.com, which is leading to the blocking of YouTube on Amazon streaming devices, YouTube’s redoubled efforts to address child exploitation online, and the need for AI / machine learning consultants to help companies utilize these technologies to support their business practices. The prospects for privacy in the United State being further eroded by a Supreme Court case focusing on the need for a warrant for cell phone location data and the best selling products during CyberMonday rounded out the show. Geeks of the week included Android battery management strategies, the Windows re-imaging tool Ninite, a science fiction book written by a neuroscientist, and Amazon’s new “Transcribe” service for audio and video files stored on the Amazon Cloud. Please check out all our shownotes (including articles we did not have time to address in this week’s show) on http://edtechSR.com/links and follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/edtechSR for updates.

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. Security Guidelines for Congressional Campaigns (TechSolidarity, November 2017)
  9. The Surgeon Who Wants to Connect You to the Internet with a Brain Implant (MIT Technology Review, 30 Nov 2017)
  10. NeuroLutions
  11. Neuralink
  12. Secrets of the Brain (National Geographic, February 2014)
  13. These are the first Windows 10 ARM laptops (The Verge, 5 December 2017)
  14. Qualcomm Is Building Awesome Windows PCs Out Of Smartphone Parts (Wired, 5 December 2017)
  15. How Facebook and Google threaten public health – and democracy (The Guardian, 11 Nov 2017)
  16. Digital Distractions by Jason Neiffer (Classroom 2.0 Live, 11 Feb 2017)
  17. Amazon Prime Video comes to Apple TV, finally (The Verge, 6 December 2017)
  18. ‘We could build something revolutionary’: how tech set underground music free (The Guardian, 22 November 2017)
  19. Google Lashes Out at Amazon by Blocking YouTube (Fortune Magazine, 5 Dec 2017)
  20. Here’s What YouTube Is Doing To Stop Its Child Exploitation Problem (BuzzFeed News, 4 Dec 2017)
  21. Google, Amazon Find Not Everyone Is Ready for Artificial Intelligence (Wired, 1 Dec 2017)
  22. The US could be on the verge of dismantling digital privacy as we know it (Quartz, 29 Nov 2017)
  23. Chromecast & Samsung tablets among best-selling items on record Cyber Monday (9 to 5 Google; 28 November 2017)
  24. Jason’s Geeks of the Week: Take Control of your Android Battery! and Ninite
  25. Wes’ Geeks of the Week: RedDevil 4: A Novel by Eric C. Leuthardt and Amazon Transcribe is a sophisticated transcription service for AWS (TechCrunch, 29 Nov 2017)

EdTech Situation Room Episode 31

Welcome to episode 31 of the EdTech Situation Room from November 30, 2016, where technology news meets educational analysis. Visit https://edtechsr.com/links to access all referenced links from our show (as well as some we didn’t have time to discuss.) This week Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) and Martin Horejsi discussed the implications of President-elect Trump’s use of Twitter and first direct use of YouTube to communicate with the U.S. electorate instead of calling a traditional press conference. They also discussed implications of our social media dominated news and information landscape, especially as it pertains to journalism and the historic role of journalists to be the “news reporters” and not necessarily the “new analyzers.” They discussed Apple’s recent announcement that “air pods are coming soon” as well as new rumors of an iPad Air 3, and what upgrades or improvements are even possible now in the iPad line beside speed bumps. Jason and Martin also discussed Netflix’ announcement about offline downloads being available for certain shows, and what this might mean for cord cutters at home as well as travelers. Geeks of the week included Amazon’s facial recognition system “Rekognition” (from Jason) and the FLIR Infrared Camera for iOS/Android (from Martin). Check out the shownotes below for links to referenced articles and websites from the show. Also please fill out our listener survey if you have not already!

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)
  7. Martin Horejsi (NCCE Board bio – University of Montana contact info)
  8. Netflix’s new offline mode lets you download shows, watch them offline (ArsTechnica, 30 Nov 2016)
  9. Trump subs in a YouTube address for a press conference (Engadget, 21 Nov 2016)
  10. Tim Cook tells iPhone 7 customer to expect AirPods in the ‘next few weeks’ (ArsTechnica, 30 Nov 2016)
  11. Geek of the Week by Jason: Amazon Rekognition
  12. Geek of the Week by Martin: FLIR Infrared Camera for iOS/Android

EdTech Situation Room Episode 19

Welcome to episode 19 of the EdTech Situation Room from August 17, 2016, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach) and Wesley Fryer (@wfryer) discussed a heartwarming story from the Rio Olympics, the role (or non-role) of videoconferencing and live streaming in many K12 classrooms, the shutdown of Blab and the migration of Google Hangouts from Google+ to YouTube Live. Additional topics included the DMCA and “safe harbor” in the recording industry’s latest efforts to increase their take of streaming music revenues from YouTube, Verizon’s efforts to become a media company, the imminent arrival of Android apps to a Chromebook near you, and the effects of both social media and mobile screens on young minds. Geeks of the week included Remind.com and playposit.com. Please follow us on Twitter @edtechSR to stay up to date upcoming live shows. Please reach out to us via Twitter and let us what you liked about the show and what you’d like to hear about in future episodes! Check out our shownotes on https://edtechsr.com/links.

Shownotes:

  1. Follow @edtechSR on Twitter!
  2. Audio podcast feed (Subscribe with iTunes or Stitcher)
  3. Video version on YouTube, also check out our video podcast feed and subscribe to our YouTube Channel (episodes also in this YouTube playlist)
  4. Jason Neiffer (@techsavvyteach)
  5. Wesley Fryer (@wfryer)
  6. South And North Korea Gymnasts’ Selfie Scores A 10 For Diplomacy “This is why we do the Olympics.” (Huffington Post, 8 August 2016)
  7. Blab shuts down, founders promise new app on the way (TechCrunch, 14 August 2016)
  8. Hangouts On Air moving from Google+ to YouTube Live (YouTube Help)
  9. Why Taylor Swift Is Asking Congress To Update Copyright Laws (NPR, 8 August 2016)
  10. The Music Industry’s New War Is About So Much More Than Copyright (Wired, 11 August 2016)
  11. Verizon’s Metamorphosis: Can You See Me As A Tech Giant Now? (NPR, 9 August 2016)
  12. Attention, College Students: Chromebooks Are About to Get Awesome (Wired, 12 August 2016)
  13. The Google Play store, coming to a Chromebook near you (Google Chrome Blog, 19 May 2016)
  14. Researchers Study Effects Of Social Media On Young Minds (NPR, 9 August 2016)
  15. Summer Camps Struggle To Enforce Bans On Screen Time (NPR, 11 August 2016)
  16. Jason’s Geek of the Week: Seen Remind, lately? If not, it keeps getting even more awesome!
  17. Wes’ Geeks of the Week: PlayPosit: Interactive Video Learning (via @BlackDogOKC) and iPad Cart Setup Steps with Apple Configurator 2 and Meraki MDM (August 2016)