EdTech Situation Room Episode 156

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.