After
watching all the videos I realized just how little I knew and understood about
copyrighting. This is an issue that I will bring into my classroom next year. I
teach middle school students and it is important for them to understand the
issues of copyrighting.
The
areas far and wide that are touched by copyright laws did surprise me. I am
thankful that we are learning about these issues. When I give an assignment to
create an iMovie I need to be able to explain, (at least try to) the issues regarding
copyrights.
Copyright
laws directly affect the music industry. I had a father in my classroom that was
a successful musician and songwriter. He explained to me the potential loss of
income he had because of people not following the copyright laws. Of course, he
had the option to sue them. However, he always felt things would work out, and
for Willie Nelson I think things have worked out fine.
Google Images http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b0/Copyright.svg/150px-Co
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Wk 1 Blog Post - Choices-Present or Publish
Wow, deciding to present or not to is a big decision. I do like having the freedom to make the choice between writing and presenting. I have enjoyed the long and winding path that brought me to the completion of my Literature Review. However, collecting data from my AR Project was equally fulfilling. I probably will choose presenting. Either way right now I have the "butterflies." Excitement, anticipation and recognition. I want to know that my work this year has been done well and that it is graduate level work. Presenting my project will be the best way to share my information.
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/images/
Melinda, Copyright issues sure can be a major hurdle for middle school kids! It blows their mind that they can’t use another person’s work. After all, how can it be illegal or immoral if they can get if off the Internet so easily? And these students have never been without that resource. While it has provided them with instant access to a wealth of global knowledge and wisdom, it also gives them a false sense of value and ownership. Over the last three years of teaching 7th graders, I’ve discovered that they believe putting something in their own words, such as using the thesaurus feature in MS Word once per sentence, makes it their own. They also have innumerable examples of entertainment based on one artist copying another. YouTube is the most obvious example, but television shows like Glee, music mash-ups on the radio and even what they’re producing in their art classes all depend on mimicry. And we certainly can’t blame them for taking advantage of modern technology. It’s just more efficient. After all, I’m sure some of us who were educated to have more respect for intellectual property are quick to look something up on the Internet and use it as an example. Not me of course. But some of us… ;)
ReplyDeleteMelinda, I hadn't really given much (um, er, ANY) thought to how important it is to teach students about copyright laws as they embark into a world of technology and creativity and the oftentimes "assumed" rules of the copyright world. I think your idea of having someone who is directly affected by copyright infringement speaking to your class is a fantastic idea. When students can put a face with a "problem" it might make an impact the next time they download or copy or pirate (or whatever the case may be) the creativity (and income earning) of someone else. BTW: Is Willie still living? :)
ReplyDeleteGood overview and interaction with this week's "reading." Interesting that the musician chose not to pursue those he felt were taking his music. When I've heard that complaint from small independent musicians, it's usually with other musicians who have ripped off their song. I heard an interview of John Mellencamp on NPR and he said that the best "record deal" that he ever had was when he let Chevy use a couple of his songs. He said, unlike the record labels, they did everything they promised to him and he saw the returns, instead of excuses. So, it's hard to see how artists are hurt when they are most directly "hurt" by the companies who are supposed to be looking at their interests. I've started buying my music directly from the artists' sites as much as possible. I guess it's complicated.
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