EDM613 MAC - Week 1: BLOG Comment #2

Brook McKaig's Blog Post

I might start rambling when discussing copyright because I don't feel there is a clear and definite way to define it for all things in simple terms.

I feel both in my classroom and in my professional freelance I am always dealing with copyright issues. From trying to express to my students the importance of understanding copyright and use of to having clients wanting to use images they find online, think that just because it's out there it's ok to use. I have turned down many jobs because a company doesn't want to pay for the rights to use an image they found on Getty (their image rights can be very expensive). As well, I have gotten into long debates with students about downloading software, music and games... And using images of the net for their work in class. For learning purposes I allow some but insist that images be very much manipulated (fine tuning Photoshop skills) but encourage students to create their own or illustrate/photograph their own images... Otherwise it's just cut and paste not design.. I don't know, I feel that I'm a very just person and always use the example that if I created something and someone else took credit for it I would be greatly offended which brings me to the point of much of what we have been watching (like in "Good Copy Bad Copy") it's more about getting permission or giving credit where credit is due. I have had musician contact me before to use images I created on albums and had no problem letting them so long as they gave me some credit in the liner notes and send me a copy of the disc.

I work for a lot of '80's metal bands and know that most don't make anything off their CD's and rely mostly on touring and merch to make a living. Most don't even bother looking for the big labels to distribute their music and take it upon themselves to post it everywhere and hope that people download it and share it to get the word out. I have some friends that posted all over the social networks that all three of their albums were free for download with a link to a site to get them all. When you went to the site there was a Paypal donation link. I thought it was a great idea put who knows how many people actually made some kind of donation for the music. I personally paid $20 for all three because I felt that it was the right thing to do and at least give something. It can be a fine and very much determined by what the artist feels but in any case recognition should be given in some form. I agree with Bryan in the thought of instead of fighting what is happening finding a way to embrace it by creating new means of sharing and distributing creative works that benefits the artist and consumer.

As an artist I believe creativity feeds off other creative expressions .. We look to music, dance, paintings, design and the works of others to inspire and drive ourselves to be creative. I can't say that in this day-in-age that there are any creative works out there that weren't inspired or derivative of something before.

@Brooke

Brooke, I agree with you completely! My husband is a musician and routinely gives away his cd's to anyone who wants one. It's about getting the word out, as you said. Your last paragraph summed it up well. Artists work with elements and inspiration from their world. It all came from someone!
"As an artist I believe creativity feeds off other creative expressions .. We look to music, dance, paintings, design and the works of others to inspire and drive ourselves to be creative. I can't say that in this day-in-age that there are any creative works out there that weren't inspired or derivative of something before."

This is my husband, Dave Yoho

EDM613 MAC - Week 1: BLOG Comment #1

Gregg Eilers' Blog Post:

Wk1 BP - EDM613 MAC - Copyright

Many thoughts ran through my head as I watched the plethora of videos regarding copyright laws, Fair Use, and Creative Commons. Albeit, most of my thoughts were those of confusion and how my brain was dissecting the confusion. However, after digesting all the information, I feel that I have a better understanding of how copyright works and how organizations like Creative Commons is attempting to bridge the gap in allowing the creative mind the freedom to create and/or re-create. As technology continues to advance and public domain forces copyright laws to change and modify its parameters, Creative Commons, Fair Use, and all the other attempts to assist the freedom of creation will continue to expand. I really felt that the TED video featuring Larry Lessig put all of this into a grand perspective for me. There were many great aspects of his presentation, but I think the thing that struck me was his comments on how the "RW" (read/write) culture turned into a "RO" (read only) culture in the 20th century. Obviously we are seeing a major paradigm shift in this way of thinking because of the rapid change in technology advancement and the speed of the Internet at the turn of the 21st century. At any rate, copyright laws, Fair Use, and Creative Commons have their place, but its what is done to work with/around them to keep challenging culture to create and re-create something new and different for future generations.



@ Gregg Eilers

Gregg, you nicely summed up the confusion of copyright and fair use and the clarifications the videos presented. I agree, they have their place, but the speed at which our world of information and creativity is changing makes it difficult to stay abreast of the legal applications.

I think that the fair use guidelines will be crucial for those of us who create less, and utilize the works of others to emphasize what we are creating/presenting.

This is my son, Peter, as a budding drummer when he was little. Who can say what influences he's had that he couldn't even begin to identify! He's grown up surrounded by music of all genres.

EDM613 MAC - Week 1 Reading - Copyright

This is my husband's band, Echo Road. Feel free to listen to or
download their music at echoroadband.com

Reading and watching the videos about copyrighting, and fair use, was daunting! There is no easy answer or clear right/wrong thing to do. I believe that artists are inspired by elements in their world, including music they hear. So what's a person to do? Be careful and always ask permission. Better to have requested permission, and find out fair use applied, then to not ask, and break the law.

EDM613 MAC - Week 1, BLOG 1

The end is in sight. It is an exciting, yet a little scary, feeling. It is exciting because of all that I have learned and plan on using. It is exciting, because of all the friends I have made that I never would have crossed paths with, if not for this program. Yet now, they are an important part of my life. Why on Earth should I be even a little scared? Simple, the journey of this program is ending. It's like getting on a train to go to a big city for the first time. Someone new gets on at each stop and tells you a little about it and shares a bit of advice with you. There are 12 stops along the way. But even with all the advice and information these people have shared with you, you do not know exactly what awaits you and if you'll be able to follow their advice and be successful in the Big City. The thought of getting off the train at any of the stops never occurred to me. Thankfully! Now, I see the city slowly starting to loom on the horizon. I've never been in this position before. Never been here, without knowing what I will see or find. But I'll never know unless I ride the train to the final stop, and step off the platform and go into the city. Scared? Yes. Excited? Even more so!

image courtesy of creative commons http://www.flickr.com/photos/omni_kh/ Chatchavan's Photostream

August Days...

The middle of August has arrived and school will be back in session in a few short weeks. This summer, I have been able to clarify my action research problem statement, locate and read literature articles, and develop skills that will assist in my action research analysis, design, development and implementation. I have strengthened my relationships with team members and critical friends. I know that they will assist me with feedback and guidance in both of my cycles. Although I am apprehensive of my work load during the school year, I am also anxious to begin my research cycles. I am excited to be working with a new group of students and to continue my team teaching in 4th grade math. Each school year brings new challenges, but with those challenges come new learning and opportunities to make a difference in the learning my students acquire. I don’t know how I will accomplish all that I still have before me, but I know I will!

BP13 ETC Final Video

Here's the final video for ETC. It's a persuasive message about No Child Left Behind actually leaving students behind with a lack of real lifetime learning.