Amazon Echo / Echo Dot in the classroom - anyone got one running ?

[pooley]

I've been asked by a teacher if I can setup an Amazon echo device in the classroom.

I haven't had time to try yet but looking online it Amazon says it doesn't support enterprise networks?

 

I know there's a load of ports to open on the firewall but has anyone had any success yet in getting one running ?

 

Any caveats ?

 

Si

[TechMonkey]

I was asked to set one up for an assembly and in the end tethered it to my phone. Didn't like proxy, encryption, certificates, firewall and at that point I gave up as the assembly was happening in front of me.

 

With a transparent proxy using WiFI that is a standard WPA passcode and then troubleshooting the ports needed I imagine it could work... But would the benefits outweigh the time put in? What about suggesting Cortana?

[pooley]

I was asked to set one up for an assembly and in the end tethered it to my phone. Didn't like proxy, encryption, certificates, firewall and at that point I gave up as the assembly was happening in front of me.

 

With a transparent proxy using WiFI that is a standard WPA passcode and then troubleshooting the ports needed I imagine it could work... But would the benefits outweigh the time put in? What about suggesting Cortana?

 

As yet I haven't been given the device to play with, no thought has gone into what amazon account will be used to secure it and I have no idea what the teacher intends to use it for.

 

Cortana is a good shout, I shall endeavour to find out what they are trying to achieve.

[Jawloms]

Any caveats ?

 

Si

 

Yup - parents who don't want their kids voices recorded by one. I'm not saying it's right or wrong or whatever so don't start the discussion with me, but you will have parents who don't like it.

 

http://www.edugeek.net/forums/data-protection-information-handling/198384-amazon-echo.html

Edited November 26, 2018 by Jawloms

[edmokeski]

What on earth for? Have they got a legit learning purpose to this, or do they just like gadgets and want to make your life miserable? Have yet to hear a persuasive use case in the classroom, and can't imagine all the cans of worms having one would open re: privacy, filtering, etc., etc.. Edited November 26, 2018 by edmokeski

[TechMonkey]

I would lay odds on it being an article that was published recently extolling the virtues of Alexa in the classroom, can't remember where it was published I just remember it registering and thinking it silly.

[gerardsweeney]

(3, 2, 1)

 

"But it works in the house?!"