Wk4 Pub_Lead Presentation

This past month we have been deciding whether to publish a paper or create a presentation.  In an earlier blog I discussed my decision to present at an upcoming conference this summer.  I look forward to the opportunity to share the work that I have done this year and showcasing Learning Management Systems to teachers in the area to get them excited about using them in their classrooms and discussing the advantages.  I have made my presentation very interactive and I hope this will be an engaging and informative time for both my audience and myself.  The following is the presentation, without the notes.  The notes can be viewed at the following link...Jones_Tiffany_Pub_LeadProject

Please feel free to leave your comments, ideas or questions regarding my presentation or Learning Management Systems. 

wk4 Response to Monica Heaney

                                            Monica Heaney

    “Being the Board” is something I’ve learned this year with a full time job, Graduate school, three young children, and a husband. Making the choice to go back to school was difficult, but I committed myself and here I am. If I decided not to go through with this Graduate program, I am certain that I would have blamed my husband for not being able to help out, or the ages of my children and their needs.  I don’t think it was a conscious decision to “be the board,” I needed it to be that way and it has actually benefited my family and me.  Through this crazy year, I have learned to give everyone in my family an A for helping and understanding. They have all kept that grade up. My husband has especially earned the A. I feel like this year we have all become game pieces who worked strategically to get through homework, tests, games, holidays, and special occasions. Now, I can happily say that the end is almost here, my kids are happy and well, and I think food shopping is going to be my husband’s new permanent job. More importantly, my kids have seen the value my husband and I place on education rather than just hear about it. We were all students this year and we have all learned so much.

         My favorite part of Chapter 11 was reading the words of Marianne Williamson. After reading those words over and over, I typed and printed them. I will frame them and hang them in my children’s room. As I read her words, and thought about how I wanted to share them with my children, I also thought how I often want to pass along messages as great as this one. My new goal is to hear them and live them myself first, then pass them along.

Monica, you are such an example of the Marianne Williamson quote.  You have let your own light shine this year through it ALL and by doing that have allowed your family to show their true lights as well.  You have also allowed your group to shine along with you.  This has been a life changing, empowering year, I could not have done it without you!  Thank you for all of your chats and encouragement and laughs and fun!  I know that it is because of our group that I got through this year.  There were times when I wanted to surrender to the negative thoughts of my mechanical self, that I was not good enough to do this.  I too could have come up with a million excuses as to why I shouldn't complete this year.  You were always there with encouragement and support... I am eternally grateful, thank you!  I look forward to seeing where our new journeys bring us:)  

Wk4 Response to Jeannine Berube

Jeannine Berube

Am I willing to live in the Universe of Possibility?  That is the most honest question I can present to  myself as I finish reading this book.   Knowing now not only of this new universe, but also having been given the tools to navigate, am I ready to embark on this new adventure, to learn to be the “BOARD” on which my life is played?  Am I willing to enroll others in the “game” rather than scare them to death; to begin to create new frameworks of possibility, to truly tell the story of WE instead of me? 

I read the Coda too.  The choice is mine.  No condemnation for not practicing is mentioned.  No judgments are made.  Only possibility remains:  CHOICE.  The problem has been and continues to be about choice.  Choice is always the key to making a change, to make possibilities happen.  I can choose to be a “victim” I can choose to be a leader from any chair; I can choose to invent new rules.  I can even choose to invent the game board on which my life will be played. What will I choose?

I can stay where I am, fearful, trying to survive, watching out for me.  I can stay here, worried about what others say or think, or long for connection to others that will not come, at least not according to “their rules”. 

I can choose to create a new universe for my life.  A universe of possibility, where connections are made, where fear or survival does not dictate, but rather love and generosity.   Where students are inspired to learn rather than forced to endure; where colleagues value each other’s gifts and do not undermine each other because their subject is more “important” than another.  To truly lead from any chair means to take the risk that others secretly want to live in the realm of possibility, and simply haven’t realized it yet.     

The practices are just that-PRACTICE!  I will not get it right every time.  I will make mistakes.  I will fail at times.  HOW FASCINATING and I AM SORRY... will become phrases most familiar in my vocabulary. 

What do I want?  Am I willing to make the life-changing effort?  Am I willing to read this book again, and again?  Am I willing to become the being that I am meant to be?  The measured self is crying out in fear and anger.  Who do you think you are?  You can’t do this!  You’re too lazy, you’re too...........

 The central self however has found her voice.  She has something to say!  And her voice is becoming more loud and more clear.  There is nothing to lose and only everything to gain...

BTFI-one moment, one day, one week, one month, one year, one lifetime left at a time...

 I CHOOSE TO LIVE 

 IN THE UNIVERSE OF POSSIBILITY!

Jeannine- you have summarized the empowerment of this book!  Choice, is so powerful, once we grab onto that and develop choice as our center of focus, the possibilities are Endless, much like your rainbow:)  I also loved that you are going to read this book again, I see this book as one I will truly read over and over.  Already, I have gotten so much, I know my next read will be on another level and I will get even more.  We have begun a journey of Joy in finding what the universe has in store for us.  I am thrilled to know that I am not alone on this path and ever grateful to be a part of the WE! Glad you are in the WE with me:)!

Wk4 ARt of Possiblity - WE are The World

"Individually we are one drop, together we are an Ocean." - Ryunosuke Satore 

This week the reading was again very powerful!  The author  discusses the subject of WE and how different this is  from ME.  It is so refreshing to take the spotlight off ourselves and focus on working together. Many times teamwork or collaborations are phrases that many throw around, with only a few actually having true collaboration.  With each of us focused on the future and working with our individual talents to perform their best, allows the group to do likewise, with each participant performing at their peak. When each group member in WE is performing at their top level, the group as a whole is Exceeding Standards. Another visualization I have is because each person of the WE team is able to hyperfocus on their part, they have become a star, with all the stars shining together, optimum brightness is achieved.  I found this to be so true with my group work here in the EMDT program, working with my group allowed me to put my best foot forward and with everyone's strengths, talents and hard work, our projects far outshone what I could have accomplished on my own.  Developing a group synergy where tasks are shared makes the overall "job" more manageable, fun and ultimately, Successful!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Wk 3 -post 4 Wrapping up my Research

What a wonderful opportunity this year has been for me at Full Sail University.  I can't rave about this place enough.  I entered this program as an "emailer"  I used Facebook, socially and emailed for communication...I had NO Idea the whole new world that would open up to me!  I am now Blogging, I am refining my website and I have discovered a world full of educational tools that I can't wait to use in the classroom.  We have Moodle available to us to use so I thought I would start there.  I began my AR project focused on Moodle, quickly finding out in my research that there are other Learning Management Systems, LMS, to use in the classroom. After researching 20-25 resources, I began to write, I did what I could with a narrow topic, only to find out that my paper was reading like an annotated bibliography.  I got discouraged and showed my paper to my critical friends.  I was ready to hear anything and change whatever needed to be changed.  My critical friends suggested that I rewrite, yes, rewrite my paper.  Now I was going to have my focus be more general and include LMS.  There was much more research and it was very interesting to see how the systems had been tested and used in classrooms, or simply as interfaces for entire classes.  

The benefit for me in rewriting my AR Project was that all of the sudden, my cycles and data that I had collected, connected to all that I had read about.  I have completed the circle and come Full Circle with Full Sail.  I have learned so very much and enjoyed every moment of it.  

wk 3 Response to Joshua Montanye

EMDT MAC: Week 3 Art of Possibility Chapters 5-8

I have to say that I found Chapter 5. Leading from Any Chair to be very amusing personally. As it happens I am working on an ongoing documentary on Maestro Longoboardi who was a student of Karajan and quite coincidently we were discussing the importance of individuality just the other day. The youth orchestra in which he conducts has been preparing for a major concert and I've been going to a few of them here and there to document their progress along the way. As I arrived at the school where they practiced I received a frantic call from his wife informing me that he was running late and to inform the students of the situation. To my surprise when I entered the room where they held rehearsal I was greeted by the sounds of Vivaldi. I hung back in the hallway for a bit until the Maestro arrived just enjoying the young musicians interpret this classical piece. Maestro Longobardi seemed very pleased when he arrived to hear his orchestra continuing in his absence. He pulled me aside and commented to me that it was not a Maestro's job to teach the students how to play music just to feel it and he went on to imply that he was very lucky to be able to learn more about the music from his pupils. I've never personally experienced anything like this as an educator but from that moment I really gained an appreciation for the importance of feedback even at a Master's level. It is very encouraging to know even after you gain an understanding of the material there will always be new ways to learn and grow as an educator.

Joshua

That is a really great story to share.  I love the idea that the students were going on in the absence of the conductor, because they had the confidence and knew the music.  I think that sometimes a great way to check for understanding is to have students show what they know, showing us.  I also believe that it is our job as educators, conductors of the classroom, to instill the confidence in the students that they may not be able to find inside.Allowing students to teach us new things expands my horizons as well as theirs.  

wk 3 Response to Anne Aslup

Week 3 BP#1 Reading the Art of Possibility

Image Credit:  The Conductor by Paul Helm

The teacher, like the conductor of an orchestra is not the true power in the classroom. The teacher derives their power from the success of the student. Some teachers may see their role as enlightening their students with their vast knowledge, but I disagree.  Perhaps more can be learned from the conductor.

One of the most difficult issues that I faced during my action research project as I moved my classes from the traditional teacher-centered classroom to a student-centered model was the role of the instructor. Almost universally, students perceive the role of the teacher as supplying knowledge and answering questions, a notion that has been perpetuated by an arena of high-stakes testing. While this methodology has merit for the conveyance of basic facts and principles, it falls short of moving the student to transference of the principles at higher levels of intellectual and cognitive application.

It is not the conductor's role to play the violin, only to direct the violinist. Like the conductor, it is not the teacher's role to answer the question, but to ask the question and point the student in the direction of knowledge. My research indicated that the teacher should literally say nothing that would interfere with the students' thought process. Students should be encouraged to develop the ideas, based on their previous knowledge and define the concepts for themselves.  This approach transcends the power of the conductor and empowers learning to take place from any chair. Through this collaborative orchestra of thought, knowledge is generated beyond the scope of any individual effort.

Is it necessary that every student masters the laws of physics, understand Shakespearean literature or solve a quadratic equation? I think we know better. Our world would be a better place if each child could discover and develop their passion. Establishing graduation requirements and competency testing does little to promote passion for learning. It is time to apply Rule #6 to the educational arena.  Yes, we should have some basic requirements and children should be exposed to wide variety of educational opportunities, but the sooner we help children develop areas of interest, the better chance we have lessening the control of the calculating self and free the child to find the central self. Imagine a universe of possibility where each person is able to express their inner desires in a positive direction by contributing to their world.  A world in which each person participates in the part that they were born to play and plays it with unbridled passion. 

Mrs. Jones said...

Anne

I really appreciate your emphasis on students finding and developing their individual interests. Changing the classroom from teacher centered to student centered is such a critical and needed change. So very similar to the role of the conductor, where the musicians often feel their opinions don't matter, the teacher must open the learning opportunity so that students know their opinion does matter. We need to begin allowing student involvement to go beyond answering questions, opening up the floor so that students can ask them as well. I loved hearing your thoughts, you got me thinking differently as well.

Wk 3 ART of Posssibility-Are we Totalitarian Teaching?

This weeks reading has me literally jumping out of my seat.  I love this book, it has truly changed my way of thinking, I hope I can inspire some the same way.

What has struck me first off is the idea of Contributions, thinking of myself as a contributor to my life.  This is so much more than just positive thinking it is a paradigm shift.  I was struck by the story of the woman in a cycle of financial struggle who was suggested to think about how she was giving something to her family by asking for help.  She was contributing to her family making it a stronger unit.  I have just begun an exercise program that I have been putting off for a long time.  I didn't have time, I needed to be there for my family, needed to work do other things.  I have recently seen how by taking this time in my life to become healthier, I am contributing to my family.  I am contributing to the overall health, and positive energy in my household.  I feel better and I am sharing these good feelings with my family and my friends. I am contributing.

Celebrating Their Spirit!!!

The next idea that catapulted me into writing this week, is the idea of the conductor being the Totalitarian leader of the orchestra.  The Maestro being the dictator of the group in which the orchestra gave no feedback.  This is so easily relatable to teachers in the classroom. Standing at the head of the class with a lesson in mind, a plan for the day, week, month, even year.  No room for change or movement.  The class not even thinking that they would have the opportunity to give suggestions about what they may do.  Then Ben comes up with the "white sheet" idea and leaves a blank sheet for his musicians to fill out suggestions on and open up a dialogue that all may be a part of.  I hope to instill this idea in my classroom, students today are looking for ways to become actively engaged, not to be lectured to but rather taking part in their education.  What if teachers asked their students how they wanted to learn today?  Now of course, with children there is always a strong need for direction and consistency, but what if we allowed them to find their voice?  What if we allowed them some choice in their learning?  What if we opened up the dialogue and listened to the children?  The ideas and suggestions that I have discovered anytime I have DARED to do this, have been outstanding, beyond my expectations.  Last year at the end of reading a powerful book about a girl growing up in Afghanistan, The Breadwinner, I allowed the students to show me what they learned... any way they wanted.  I let down the walls, constrictions about what I wanted to see from them.. I let them show me what they learned.  I can't tell you the AMAZING projects that resulted... I wish I had pictures.  I had students build cities out of clay, I had students build Nan bread stands and share that with their classmates in their presentation.  I had cartoons drawn, I had songs written and sung.  The class was alive with excitement and enthusiasm as I allowed the students the opportunity to direct their own learning.  Differentiation happened automatically, no one was comparing themselves with others, we celebrated each students unique abilities and they all got A's!!!  I gave the student's power and they flourished.

Finally, this message resonated with me in regards to this weeks class discussion as well, about teachers not wanting to change and embrace technology as quickly as other professions.  I would have to say that there is a fear of giving up control in the classroom.  Teachers are afraid that complete chaos will ensue and that student's will not learn all that they are "supposed" to.  I would challenge that and say that student's want to learn and become active learners and that given the opportunity of choice in a classroom, learning will thrive.

Wk 2 -free choice To Present or Paper?

Old School/ New School

I have been thinking about this question this week.  There are certainly pros and cons for both.  I have to go with my gut.  There is a conference that I was hoping to attend this summer,however I noticed on the bottom of the email that there is a number to call to be a presenter.  The conference is SEA Tech Camp. It is at the Sebago Alliance Tech Camp.  It is this summer and I plan on contacting them to propose my presentation regarding how effective Learning Management Systems are in collaboration with the physical classroom.  I have spent this year researching, and studying and analyzing how Moodle works in a 6th grade classroom in Falmouth, Maine.  I did not have my own classroom this year and had to ask a co worker to use his students as a platform.  I have used this site to list homework and have a communication between parents and the classroom.  The students have enjoyed using the Web 2.0 tools that I have added to the site.  I believe that the visuals of the site will create an exciting, informative presentation that will motivate educators to include an LMS as they integrate technology into their classrooms.  I look forward to showing the flexibility of personalizing the site to individual classes and using the attachments to enhance the presentation.  

Wk 2 - response to Cherie Hellenbrand

MAC Week 2 Reading-Art of Possibilities Chapters 1-4

When I first watched the Ted video of Zander playing the classical music and attaching the music to meaningful memories of a person’s life, I knew this was going to be an awesome book.  After reading the first chapter I needed to ponder for quite some time on the question “What assumption am I making, that I’m not aware I’m making, that gives me what I see?”  And I definitely wasn’t ready to move onto the second question about what I could invent.  As I continued reading the answers started to become clear.

In the second chapter I had a better understanding of Zander’s writings and what he meant by possibilities.  My need for procedure and control accomplishing daily tasks and goals was hindering me from understanding what can be achieved. Zander states, “When you are oriented to abundance, you care less about being in control, and you take more risks.”  He continues to say, “In the measurement world, you set a goal and strive for it.  In the universe of possibility, you set the context and let life unfold.” 

Giving an A is the chapter that truly touched me emotionally.  Reminding me that my students by nature really want to learn and achieve.  I agree with the  analogy of chipping away the outside barriers so the student can reach their true potential. Stopping to really listen to the thoughts and trouble of students is so important.  The second to last letter written by John Imhof made me realize how I measure people and I need to step back and look at people’s actions and comments differently. Imhof wrote in his letter “We just have to stop demanding that it be on OUR terms or conditions, and instead open our selves to the possibility that what we seek may be in front of us all the time.”

Changes in perception to realize the contributions a person can make are twofold. Not only does a person feel good about himself or herself when they contribute, but they also radiate energy that carries over to other people.  I notice my attitude in my classes will directly relate to how my students perceive my lesson.  Reading this book has awakened my awareness of myself and others.

My Response:
The beginning question is such a good guide to help me think about the parameters I am putting on both my learning and my students, "what assumption am I making..."  I make aprox. a million a minute.  Assuming students are even hearing what I am meaning to say.  "...that I'm not aware I'm making..."I just think of how I already said something, so my students must remember it, right? not necessarily. "...that gives me what I see?" We all see what our experience and parameters allow us to.  I hope to use this guide as I go through my lessons.  
Lastly, I also agree with the importance of visualizing abundance.  Focusing on the big picture opens me up to many ways to get there. 

Wk 2 - response to Anna Dooley

MAC - Week 2 - Reading

The reading this week was very interesting and a great conversation starter with my family and friends. As teachers, we always talk to our students about reaching their full potential, the possibilities are endless if you put your mind to it, etc. After reading the first few chapters that we walk the walk but are not talking the talk. Until we, the society, can open our minds further and realize that the norm of rewards and penalties in education is not a natural law but a changeable philosophy, these “you can be great” seem a bit empty.

“Giving an A” was a wonderful chapter to read. I remember very clearly the feelings and thoughts I experienced while performing a recital for a grade in college or performing in rep class where immediately my teachers and peers would evaluate me and give feedback on my interpretations and techniques. It was so hard to focus on solely performing the music for arts sake and not striving for the best performance in rep or working to get the best comments of the day. It wasn’t until my senior year preparing my 4^th and final full recital I focused on the music, and that alone…and I must say, that recital was the best recital of my life. Grades and ratings are taught to people at a very young age, even in daycare with student of the week or top reader. How wonderful for everyone if we could focus on the achievements met along the path to success compared to no one else but yourself. As long as we continue to reward society norms, and penalize other ideas and ways of doing things, our society will slowly dwindle down, like it is currently.

Anna-

What a powerful blog. I have such similar beliefs about grades and loved the Giving an A chapter. I had the opportunity to be a part of a team that stopped using grades on the report card and had to come up with language to use for standards based assessments. It was challenging and certainly time consuming, but I would have to say years later, so worth it! Students have specific items that they know they either need to improve, or excelled in. Letters are powerful inhibitors, it is so important to be aware of that when working with students. Sharing your personal experience was very meaningful. Thank you for your honesty and powerful message. You are an amazing woman who will inspire many musicians to become great!

Are you READy? Art of Possibility, Chp 1-4

This weeks reading was AMAZING.  Beginning with the story of how Ben tells a little girl, He is doing, "perfectly"....we are given new ways to think, new possibilities for living a full life.  The first parts of books are usually something I skim, or it may take me a little bit to get "into" the book.  That was not the case with Art of Possiblity by Rosamand and Benjamin Zander. The conversational, easy going style of the prose is engaging and provides a great flow as the chapters reveal a new attitude and vantage point to life.  The authors' passion and enthusiasm for their work really comes through. One of my favorite ideas was the constraints that we put on ourselves.  The unspoken, unwritten parameters that we perceive to be there that truly are not.  This was depicted with the discussion of the nine-dot puzzle, there is a square of nine-dots and the directions say to use four connected, straight lines to connect all the dots.  Most people will think they need to stay within the "box" created by the dots.  The solution is that you must make two of the lines extend outside those parameters in order to solve the puzzle.  Therefore, the image is there to remind me to always think outside the box!

I am inspired to open up my mind to new possibilities.  Just like this amazing course at Full Sail.  I can't stop telling people how awesome this program is and I always begin by saying, "I was really just an emailer" when I started and now I have been introduced to a whole new world.  I have not only been introduced but I have been taught how to be an active participant in an entirely new way of thinking that I had truly never dreamed I would be a part of.  The EMDT program has been such an inspiration, I don't want it to end... the desire is instilled within me to continue this technological journey.  Where it will lead me.... who knows? It is like learning to ride a bike, climbing a mountain, and riding a roller coaster all at the same time. I can only say that the Possibilities are endless!!

Wrapping up with Copyright

What a week.  I began the week without much knowledge of what "fair use" actually looked like and how I was going to work around Copyright Laws to use this new found technology and movie making skills in my  classroom.  I have now discovered how "fair use" works especially in education, that it is about amount of a clip that you use and whether it is essential to your lesson.  This was really news to me... I have shown full videos in my class and I have used my personal video account to show a movie to my students.  Now I understand that both of these actions are against copyright laws.  I feel bad and I look forward to educating my coworkers and my students so that these incidents occur less.

I also have discovered the Creative Commons solution.  I am so grateful that this site exists to both protect independent artists and allows us to share materials as we choose.  This site has images, videos, music and graphics that can be used according to individual desires.  This has been put in the front of my Bookmark list, and I look forward to using the works to enhance my future lessons.

Wk 1 comment 2 Jana Claybrook

Wk1 Reading Copyright -Jana Claybrook

The copyright videos were interesting and a little overwhelming. I was totally oblivious to the depth of the piracy on media. The film “Good Copy/Bad Copy” opened my eyes to the extent of the piracy not only on music but on the motion picture industry as well. I have always wondered about those advertisements at the beginning of DVD’s about piracy being against the law. I guess I thought it was geared more towards big time offenders than just everyday people.

This program at Full Sail has certainly heightened my awareness of copyright issues. I have on numerous occasions searched for copyright free images and have been disappointed when I open the image.  Most images appear with the statement “This image may be subject to copyright”. 
 What does that really mean?  Where can I find material?
As I am immersed into the legal and illegal aspects of copyrighting this month, I hope to gain the necessary information to better educate my students.
We must prepare our students for success in the future by urging them to create original work and educating them on the laws of copyrighting.

My comment:

I related to you "ignoring" those opening warnings in the beginning thinking these were for big time offenders. I never thought that using movies in class was piracy. It turns out, as I understand it, I can't use my Netflix account to get a movie for my students to watch, I can show clips from the movie. But showing the whole movie is against the agreement. I too have felt overwhelmed in trying to find images, or other copyright free material. Thank you Leah for the list of sites, I have noted them and will most certainly check those out. Finally, I love your solution Jana, to have more students create their own work and share that original work, free of fear of copyright. I also love Creative Commons as a solution. I don't want to feel restricted as an educator on what I can do, and getting a handle on this copyright code will allow me to educate my students as well.

Wk 1 Comment 1- Jeri Kennedy

Week 1 - Copyright Issues Parts 1 - 3

Copyright Part 1 (Intro)
The documentary was riveting.  I was intrigued with the different cultures and how they were represented.  Nigeria being the number one producer of movies was quite a surprise and I liked their approach to the copyright issues.  Piracy is not a problem if the product goes directly to the public and pirated copies cost the same as the original copies.  The idea of having a blanket copyright fee or adding fees to phone or ISP billing is interesting but I am not sure it would be fair to all.  I considered some of our citizens that are on a fixed income that do not participate in file sharing and that would penalize them if they had to absorb the fees.  There is certainly not a simple solution and the problem just continues to get more complex as technology makes advances.

Americans, I think, tend to want the less expensive pirated copies when possible.  Additionally, we don’t like the corporate moguls that set the prices of movies and music and ensure they make a hefty profit.  There have been some music stars that have denounced their labels and worked to make sure the money does not prevent fans from accessing the music.  I think Brazil has the right idea - one we may have had long ago in America - that the music made available to the public is meant to advertise the musician in order to get fans for the live shows.

We also have the technology that we could provide CD recordings of the concert available for sale immediately following the concert - I would LOVE that!


Copyright Part 2 (Fair Use)
The Disney clips were amazing!  I think the time they spent on finding the clips must have been extensive!  The movie was informative and entertaining.  I presume it has proven the legal defensive stance of Fair Use since I am sure Disney would have been litigious if possible.

Originally I was fairly pro copyright - protect the creator.  Then after watching the series of videos I began to reconsider.  Fair Use is still quite restrictive and limiting, though is better then having no access at all.

I am concerned with being able to defend the use of copy written material as part of my teaching.  In the example of “To Kill a Mockingbird” used as part of a civil rights unit I would consider the movie or clips from it would not be NECESSARY to teach the unit, though it would be beneficial if it was included.  So in my estimation it would not fall within the Fair Use guidelines.


Copyright Part 3 (Creative Commons)
This is such a simple and useful solution to the copyright battle!  This concept is new to me, having never heard of it before starting this program, is absolutely the answer to this troubling problem.

I think Creative Commons is something that should be integrated into education beginning at the earliest years in schools.  Children need to be taught what is okay to use and encouraged to create their own materials.  It is crucial to build their knowledge base and balance it with embracing their need to create!

Questions.....
So when Dr. Seuss (copyright holders) began heavily marketing his characters a few years back, that was, i presume, to be able to renew the copyright and save it from being used for other purposes by absolutely anyone, correct?  That must have been before the change in the duration of the copyright.

How does it work with songs then?  I caught the end of the premiere of the new show, Voices, and the contestants were definitely singing songs that had to have been protected.  They were major hit songs by major artists.  Did they have to secure a license to perform them then or is there a loophole there?  We all know “Happy Birthday” and many of the songs Girl Scouts used to sing are protected so what is the difference?

At one time writers were told to copyright there material by sending it to themselves through the mail and leaving it in the envelope unopened until they needed it for litigation.  If I understand it correctly, simply having the finished product now automatically copyrights the material, or does it need to be published in some form such as posting to a web site, emailing, capturing on video, etc?



Jeri
It was great to read your blog. I had a similar experience in beginning to be pro-copyright, and now seeing how that could be restrictive to creativity.  I enjoyed reading your comments on Fair Use and the idea of showing a piece of the movie in class is acceptable.  We have just had some major discussions in our school about Netlix.  We as teachers are not allowed to show an entire movie through Netflix to the class.  We are however, through fair use, allowed to show clips of movies to the class.  I am finding this discussion very informative.

Wk 1- Reading Copyright... what is Right??

This first week of Media Asset Creation has really provided some great learning opportunities, examining copyright from both sides.

There's Something Big Looming Overhead!

The movies/clips were so informative, beginning with "Good Copy, Bad Copy"  This was a very clever film that took a look at how music is being remixed and used around the world.  How ultimately, the remixes are being remixed.  After viewing this I was left wondering how I felt and what tack to take with this blog post.  Then I reviewed the rest of the weeks assignments and read the book and discovered more about Creative Commons and what kind of service they provide to the creating world.  Information is changing so quickly and the way multimedia is being used is evolving and becoming more common place, anyone can create something new.  By allowing creators to easily put a copyright on their creations, supports the copyright laws while at the same time stays flexible enough so that materials can be shared.  I believe that this is the way of the future, people are going to find things and put them together with their own spin. As long as creators are being given credit for creations, and people are being sensible with others work, resourcefulness can continue on with pure intentions.  Piracy can be slowed and infringements can be turned around.  The answer to this divide is education, letting students, creators and teachers  know that they have rights and restrictions and what those both are. The more knowledge the more people have, the better the world will be.