Wk 1/Bog #4 Copyright Issues

A year ago, I listened to the videos and read the material from this class on copyright. This year, I have some classroom experience to gain a sense of the challenge faced with fair use and copyright. I am working with the students (grades 5 - 8) on learning how to find research and resources like photos and video on the internet. In the various media projects they have done (Glogster, Museum Boxes etc.), images are inevitable required and finding what they need usually is about locating something on Google. By and large, they really don't understand why, if an image is available for searching on Google, why they shouldn't use it in their paper or project. I think it is going to be hard to have this generation understand copyright given the accessibility of images and video, and the mashing of material done on the web. This issue has been something I've been thinking about and will continue to ponder. Over the next few months, I am planning on developing an integrated curriculum that will develop research skills from 3rd to 8th grade and finding ways to really help the students understand copyright will be one thing I expect to struggle with. I don't have the answer yet, but I'm enjoying looking at the issues again in this class.

Wk1/Bog #3 - The Art of Possibility

Hands down, The Art of Possibility was my favorite book of the entire EMDT program. The Zanders were able to create simple, memorable phrases that had wide meaning and used colorful examples from their life to show what they meant. In the first three chapters, which hooked me on this book instantly, the most meaningful tidbits included a questioning of what assumptions I make that I am not aware of and what might I now invent that I haven't yet. When I graduated from the program, I started working at a private school. The position I was hired to do was new - Technology Integration. From the beginning, I took it and did everything I imagined doing with technology in education working twice as long as I was paid for but having the best time of my life (I still am). The Head of School said recently that he never expected me to do all that I have done and I've excited teachers and students in ways that are meaningful. I think that the spirit of Zander has been with me through the past year and I am eagerly enjoying rediscovering their words of wisdom.

Week 1/Blog #1 Comment to Curt Isakon

Image above by Leslie G Perry

Week1/Blog #4 My Opinion on Copyright Solutions
Flute player. Photo by Curt Isakon (image from original blog post)

As a creator of music, website content, and art I believe the most important thing one can do is educate yourself how to create as much of your own content as you can. This solves many of the dilemmas in worrying about what you can and can't use.

I have realized that over the years I have come to depend on myself to take the pictures, polish it in Photoshop, and create my own presence on the web so I was not dependent on anyone else's stuff. This is truly the answer. I have created an enormous amount of media content, and I am really not concerned about copyright issues because the stuff is mine.

So, take the time to learn how to create and use your own material as much as you can and this will help keep you out of harms way and people may be stealing your content instead of the other way around!
Posted by Curt Isakson at 10:53 AM


1 comments:
lesliegperry said...
I agree! I am a photographer and filmmaker so I like to shoot my own stuff to use. Additionally, when I was in the EMDT program, I really enjoyed learning how to make my own songs in GarageBand and purchased the Symphony JamPack so I had more loops to work with. Knowing that I own the rights for what I'm doing definitely feels good.

Image by Leslie G Perry