Week 4 Publishing/Leadership Project

(Image from http://www.aace.org/pubs/)

I decided to submit a publication article to the AACE (Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education). I fell in love with this association and its user friendly website. I love how they try to get educators to network via all sorts of social media platforms. I like that they are also linked to an online digital library, displaying that the topics are limitless. The topic of my action research project fits in well with their publication. As this is my first ever article submission, I also like the breakdown of how I am to submit my paper, followed by what to expect. As I was researching where to publish my article  I felt like I was getting a run-around on some of the journal submission websites. There seemed to be a “click here,”  “confirm then,” “log back in and click this.” I want to know that my hard work is going to actually be looked at and not lost in a shuffle. The AACE seems like a great fit for sharing my action research project. Their audience could certainly use my AR project as a stepping stone for further research.




Publishing/Leadership Think Aloud Blog Post #1
Publishing/Leadership Think Aloud Blog Post #2

Hendrickson_Britni_LeadershipPublishingProject

Week 4 Free Choice Post

(Image from http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/219475)

I just want to day that it has been such a joyous ride, getting my master's. I find myself wondering lately, "What's next?" I know that I will want to try to log on to FSO almost daily. I will still keep in contact with close friends that I have made and have been such a big part of my life over the past year. Is it weird that some of these people I feel as though I have known for years, yet only known them a year and never met them in person! (Granted I have seen them on camera and talked to them on the phone. One of them is even in my 10 friends list!) I am not sure what the future holds for me but I sure know I feel better equipped to handle it. I also feel like I am not just a teacher who teachers your general subjects anymore but yet a teacher who can do so much more!

Thank you to all who have made this journey so much fun! Time flies when you are having fun!

Week 4 Reading Post Chap 9-12

(Image from http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/39711)

Lighting a spark to me should be every passionate teacher's goal! Looking back over the years I was in school, it is was apparent to me the teachers that truly had passion and patience where the teachers who impacted my life the most! I think it is so important to be able to get students sparked and just allow them the environment to foster their flame! Often times, we can feel frustrated because we have so many students, and we are afraid that they all aren't going to up to speed or remember or understand, but sometimes if we just focus on making an impact on one or two each day, then we will have reached them all at some point during the year! (It reminds me of the starfish story about the man walking on the beach and throwing one starfish back in the water at a time. He knew that every one he picked up, was one more that might survive.)
Chapter 9 definitely gave me a new perspective on handling/dealing or avoiding problems that may occur. I am very much a "people pleaser," I don't want to make others upset. I want people to be happy, smile and just enjoy life! But lets be real, not everyone feels the same way. If I am the "board" then I am designing how I want things to play out, a concept which I never really thought about, but must say, think is an interesting perspective. There is always going to be conflict, there is always going to be someone who doesn't like me or the way that I handle things. How can I please everyone? Well, I can't, but if I find a way to deal with the confrontation and handle the situation fairly, then sometimes that is the best I can do.
I also liked the steps that to the practice of framing possibility in  the 11th chapter. Making new distinctions, entering into the territory, and distinguishing what the focus is are all so important to creating and assessing "possiblities."

I really felt like this book was refreshing and couldn't have come at a better time in this curriculum. It is a great addition to my virtual library shelf.

Week 4 Peer Comment #2 Torrey Proctor

Torrey writes,
"

I learned in chapter nine that I should enroll people for positive missions, and expect to give of myself in return.  Our perception is like a nudge to a kaleidoscope in that it shifts instantly.  All of the self-help information that is being provided in this book is easy to swallow.  I found myself taking the books lessons to heart and applying them to my life.

Chapter ten was about naming yourself as a board and note a chess piece.  Being the board releases the stresses that come with the measurement of who wins or loses the game.  This chapter made me think of a high school student that makes me angry at times because he contributes nothing to class.  I sometimes feel the student doesn’t belong in class.  Now I’m seeing it in a new light.  He belongs and has more to learn then the students that already get it. I should take this student on as a challenge to help him or accept that his behavior is the way things are.  My favorite quote of this chapter is, “there is no great music-making without such risk taking.” 

Chapter eleven reminds us to do things that are on-track and not off-track.  This books definition of off-track means doing things that contribute to downward spiral behavior.  I’ve listed my favorite quotes from this chapter below.

 “I am here today to cross the swamp, not fight all the alligators.”  

“Your playing small doesn’t serve the world.”

“Leaders who become their vision often seem uncommonly brave to the rest of us.”

Chapter twelve is about focusing on WE as a team or group.  Never label a human being as the enemy.  The only enemy is revenge, fear, hate, and righteousne

ss.  I like the idea that truth, no matter how harsh it is, is better then revenge bottled up and consequently released. "

(Image from http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/134435)

My Comment.

Torrey,

I too thought this book was a very easy read yet saturated with ideas, stories, concepts that I too could apply to my life. I think this uplifting book was a nice last minute encourager/peace of mind as we enter into this crazy, exciting time in our life. I also feel like this will be a nice resource to have for a while on the virtual library shelf. I have to comment on the one (at times frustrating) student. If there is one thing I can encourage you to do is not give up on him. In fact, spending maybe just a little extra time researching his likes/dislikes. Just kind of make him your "project" for the year. You will probably have no idea the positive impact you will make on his life. I love the quotes you listed! Keep up the great work that you do Torrey. It is very noticeable that you have a passion and a true drive for what you do. Never loose that.

Week 4 Peer Comment #1 Kathy Valunas

Kathy Writes,

"I didn’t get very far into the reading this week before I found the focus for my blog… lighting a spark. According to Ben Zander, “…our universe is alive with sparks. We have at our fingertips an infinite capacity to light a spark of possibility” (p125). This fits perfectly in with the tech conference I sent a proposal to and seems to be the ‘sign’ I needed that says- this is the place you need to be to help light that spark of possibility in others! Zander went on to list some steps and two of those remind me of what my mantra needs to be: “Offer that which lights you up… [and] have no doubt that others are eager to catch the spark” (p126). This pretty much sums up my passion for what I do and all that I have learned throughout my journey both as a student and a teacher. I have always been full of passion and the desire to pass that onto others has been burned deep inside because of how others have inspired or ‘enrolled’ me in this educational trip. They have been my roadmap and their sparks have ignited mine. By offering to others what I discovered along my personal journey and through my research, I can only hope that my light will spark someone else to carry on their own passion and pass the sparks onto others.

Zander, R. & Zander, B. (2000). The art of possibility. Harvard Business School Press: Boston, MA.

Postscript: I just wanted to say I loved this book! It had so many wonderful stories and themes I could relate to. It was a very enjoyable and entertaining read."

My Comment,

Kathy, every time I get the chance to interact with you, I can just tell that you do in fact have the "spark." You are such a kind, caring, and passionate person about your work and about helping others. Those are such great qualities especially to have when it comes to teaching. I think that getting your "sign" as to how you will share your AR project is a wonderful thing! I keep going back and forth on mine, but in the end, I know that the publishing route is the one for me right now. Blessings to you and may you never stop lighting sparks along the path of life.

(Image from http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/87780)

Publishing/Leadership Think Out Loud Blog post #2

Where is a girl to start?

I have officially decided that I would like to try my hand at publishing an article. Normally I am a face to face person, and would probably go the route of a presentation. Yet, I agree, I should take things a step further. After all, this is my master's degree that I am working on!

Now I need to decide where I want to send my pride and joy that I have spent the last year of my life working so hard on! The links that the professor provided was my starting point. I spent countless hours researching and trying to find a good fit and I have narrowed it down to two.
My first choice would be to  the AACE ( Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education) as this project definitely deals with advancement of education through the technological aspect of a website. Their requirements seem pretty standard and nothing out of the ordinary. I also really like all the networking capabilities that this association has online, not just through its publications.

My Second Choice would to find a really good educational technology journal, but I honestly am overwhelmed with how many there are! I will have to spend a great deal of time narrowing this one down.

I think it is important to note that my AR project will probably be a small stepping stone in this area.

Week 3 Free Choice Post

This week, I constantly am having to check the date! I feel like my schedule is non-stop crazy busy lately, and sometimes I feel as though I either missed a day or am a day behind, I can never seem to get the day straight. Time is flying by ever so quickly. I can not believe that spring break for work has come and gone. I can not believe that we are fast approaching May, and the end of another successful school year. I absolutely can not believe that there are really only technically 5 weeks (not including Full Sail's Spring Break) worth of classes and then I will have graduated with my master's degree!

I am not sure who are aware of this, but I am seeking on online teaching job. Due to my husband being in the military, we bounce around every three years or so. If you think about that, if I remain in the teaching field for 30 years, I will have to in a sense be a beginning teacher at a new district/school/grade/subject possibly over ten times! Don't get me wrong, I love a good challenge! But at the same time, I want to build up a strong rapport either with a school or I have also decided to check into teaching (things like professional development/working with technology) for a corporation or more up at the district level. I am just beginning to explore these possibilities. It honestly excites me, and with all that I have learned this past year I am just bubbling with ideas that I want to share!

Full Sail has really given me so much knowledge, confidence, and most of all support! I have been challenged in more ways than I even thought possible and I have learned so much more than I could have dreamed. For that I just want to say, "Thank you" to all my classmates, my professors, and of course FSO Support. It has been awesome getting to experience such an amazing and well established online program. I'm really going to miss it!

(Picture from http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/75591)

Week 3 Peer Comment #2: Melissa Lodhi

Melissa Lodhi says, "

During the last few days, I have spent a substantial amount of time asking myself, “Are you taking yourself too seriously?”  In most cases, the answer is yes.  When things don’t go the way they should or the way I think that they should, my normal reaction is frustration.  This is usually a result of being driven by the calculating self instead of the central self.  This weeks reading has sharpened my awareness of internal motivation.

In many ways the reading from The Art of Possibility mirrors concepts delivered in Eckhart Tolle’s A New Earth.  Instead of calculating self, Eckhart uses the term ego.  Realizing when this aspect of personality is at work is a major step in redirecting thought patterns.  The calculating self, or ego, is really just a survival mechanism that loses its purpose in adulthood and serves to hinder relationships.

These steps are not easy but reading them again has helped me to refocus on awareness and presence.  Breaking habits in behavior and in thought is a challenging endeavor but is the only way for me to evolve as an individual.

(Picture from http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/228019)
My Comments.

I too am one who gets frustrated when things don't run smoothly or go the way that I want them to. In the back of my mind I know that people (little people to be specific) are watching my every move, how I react or how I deal with situations. One thing that helps me, is that I am flexible and I do error on the side of caution yet as I am constantly reminded even the perfect laid plans do not always pan out.  You are right, as we read this book, we are re-gaining our focus. In my opinion, this book came at the perfect as all the year end stress with work, exams, and then finishing up our master's degree we all need a refresher. This book has certainly fulfilled that purpose for me.

Week 3 Peer Comment #1 Everett Jones

Everett writes, "These chapters are really geared towards myself and friendships that I have.  The example in chapter 5 about the conductor that doesn't know his members of the orchestra personally, but would like to.  The members hold him in such a high esteem that they send messages to him through those in the hierarchy.  He receives all praise for how the orchestra sounds, yet he does not perform and instrument at the concert.  I think it is important to acknowledge all that are part of the larger picture.  Especially if they are all working towards a common goal.  The results tend to have a better outcome.  When people are acknowledge, they tend to have a personal stake in the goal and perform better.

Chapter 6 gave an example of how when we lift away our personal judgments of people, that we may see them in a more positive manner.  I honestly think that each person no matter how evil some may seem to be, possess at least one thing that is positive.  Sometimes focusing on that, brings out a person that we never thought we'd see.

I learned from reading these chapters that I have to set up my life and relationships so that positivity embraces them both.  My daily decisions and choices not only effect myself but those around me.  Focusing on those things that make me happy in life, can hopefully overshadow those obstacles that do not.

(Picture from http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/595902 )
My Comment-

Everett,
I think that is an interesting perspective on relationships. I too think it is extremely important to give thanks/be thanked when in a group working towards a common goal. That is one reason I love staff professional development days, and team building workshops! I think that you have a great focus on trying to hone in on the "happy" little things in life to help you through daily obstacles.  One thing I try to do is to see the flip-side/find one good thing about this "problem" I have or what have you. Sometimes, just being thankful for the little things is a great way to handle a tough day. Great insight! Thanks for sharing.

Week 3 Reading Write-Up Chap 5-8

(Picture from http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/167405)
In the Art of Possibility by Rosamund Stone Zander & Benjamin Zander, as I read chapter 5, I at times switched out conductor with educator. (I think that often times we feel like the conductor to all the various student personalities and learning levels.) As educators, we at times could boast and take too much pride in the success of our students, for example on the year end exams. But in actual reflection we the teacher's couldn't be successful without the hardworking, studious, and intelligent student, right? I love the idea of being more of a facilitator and aiding students in their success. Too many times lately have I experienced/seen students wanting to be spoon fed. And at that point what are we teaching our students by doing that? I enjoyed the scene where Maestro Guido Lobeps Gavillan and his Cuban Philharmonic Orchestra and how what he saw as failure turned into an amazing peer teaching moment. Their reactions were very similar to what I have seen numerous times in the classroom, the environment becomes energized! What a great "aha" moment.

I do feel that my overall mood/demeanor will effect the environment that I am in. If I am depressed, sad or grumpy, in my opinion I am going to bring down those with me. But if I am happy, positive and upbeat my energy is bound to rub off on those around me. I really liked the game that Roz described, "Have the Best ____ Ever." It is a good challenge and in the end will create positive results. I personally am happy 95% of the time, those around me will see me with a smile on my face, and almost always get those around me to smile back. (That is a personal mission that I seek to accomplish everyday, to make people smile!) But one thing that I find helpful is to take any situation and try to find one good thing about it! For example, say my car breaks down on the way home from work. I might say, well good news is, I don't have to cook-pizza delivered it is! You would be surprised how your mood might lighten/lift a bit. Sometimes when you have something that is bringing you down, you must first figure out what exactly it is that is holding you back. Once you have figured this out (prayed about it)

Publish Post

and searched (sometimes going outside the box) for a solution. You can get past it. I agree that often times you might have to dig for that passion or tap into some of that "energy and vibrancy" of your environment to overcome this rut that you are in.

This book is being read at the perfect time of my life as sometimes I feel like I am spinning my wheels. It's really helped me to think outside the box, and remember what is important and also how to think on the more positive side. Ultimately, for me it comes down to what I value the most, and the fact that I will reach my goals, I just need to see all the possibilities in perspective.

Week 2: Free Choice Post (Publishing/Leadership Think Aloud Post #1)

http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/48455 

I keep thinking about how I am going to wrap up my final AR project into one nice neat little package (hence the above picture). For my Free Choice Post, I just wanted to discuss a little bit about publishing versus presentation of my final project. I keep going back and forth with it. I am very much a people person and want people to see my excitement and passion for the project that I have chosen yet my presentation opportunities seem to be very limited due to where I live.  I also really like the idea of creating a total package and submitting it to a publishing company! Time wise I feel like I have the time to do the writeup and submit my publication to a journal (or two). Sometimes I feel like, who would really want to see the research that I have done? But then I saw a commercial with Michelle Obama and her active role in building a healthier society, and realize that if nothing else, this an issue that needs to be addressed!

To tell you the truth, I know for sure I will be bouncing ideas off of my classmates, and my husband whom all have supported me through this entire process.

I do have a couple questions about the Final WriteUp/Presentation.
1- Is there a rubric or a guidline that I could go off of when piecing together all my work?
2- Is there a site that could possibly show me a few examples of past work from graduates?
3- What do the majority of EMDT majors choose?d

Week 2: Comment #2 Ashley May

Ashley Writes,
"

I read chapters 1-4 in The Art of Possibility on Sunday, but for some reason, I have been wrestling with writing this post.  It’s not that the reading was so confusing or that I had any misunderstandings; it was more of a “what to say and how to say it” kind of situation.  However, this evening I got news that my mother was in the hospital, and suddenly the urge to find a distraction led me back to my computer.

As I read through the chapters, I couldn’t help but think to myself.  I know I have heard this all before.  After about the fourth time I found myself saying this, it dawned on me; these are all Biblical principles being put into action.  I had heard this all before.  We have studied many of these same concepts in depth at my church.  Such titles as What You are Expecting is Expecting You, Your Thoughts Create Your World, and Confession that Brings Possession immediately came to mind.  You can click on any of the titles to purchase any of these titles or to read more information.    My Bishop, S. Terri Smith, always says, “The principles work if you work them.” It is show true.  Believer or non-believer, Christian or non-Christian, the principles of the Bible always work.  After realizing that this book was simply a repeat of teaching that I had already received being presented in a different light, I was able to read and enjoy more.  I was able to really get into what the Zanders had to say. 

There were a few points that stuck out to me that I would like to address.  First, Ben dealt with removing fear as an obstacle.  This was a prevalent theme throughout the first 2 chapters.  I had my “aha” moment when I (once again) realized that I am the biggest opposition to my own success.  It’s my thought patterns about my environment and myself that have to change.  I have to stop limiting myself to the box.  Instead of thinking outside of the box, I have to operate as if the box doesn’t exist!

The second point that I absolutely loved was when Zander said, “When you make a mistake, lift your arms high in the air and say ‘how fascinating.’”  I thought this would be a great exercise for me, personally.  I tend to put an extraordinary amount of pressure on myself to do everything and be everything.  What’s worse is that even though I know I cannot be perfect, I am still somehow disappointed when I am not.  This exercise will be great for me to start to take some of the pressure off of myself, and to allow myself to make mistakes. 

The third point that stood out was the story of the Taiwanese student.  He went form seeing himself as a 68, to seeing himself as an A.  It made me wonder, how do I see myself?  Why do I let others define who I am? Why do we all let others define who we are, even if it’s just a small part of ourselves?  This passage was extremely liberating for me.  It also reinforced things that I knew, but that I hadn’t yet learned.  I hope that makes sense to you!  It’s just like when people hear you but they are not listening.  Anyway, I am going to strive to do a better job of only caring about how I see myself, and giving myself that A!

The fourth and last point that I wanted to discuss was about making contributions, and about how that is like making ripples.   It immediately brought me back to Professor Rena Hanaway’s class.  Her theme was always  “making ripples,” and I really, finally, truly got it! It’s really about doing enough to cause a change in others, and for that same change to cause a ripple effect.  On a random side note, I thought it was rather befitting that I would reach this epiphany of sorts during the same week that I am hammering home cause and effect relationships with my 6th grade students! 

Well, if you are still reading, I would like to say thank you.  I naturally talk too much, and I’m a writer by nature as well.  Combining those two factors under stress can only lead to ridiculously long blog postings that someone will have to suffer through.  I hope it wasn’t too bad!  Until next time…

My Comment.

Ashley,

I think the three points that you brought up were valid and yet insightful. Your first point about removing fear as an obstacle rings true to me. I know as a teacher, I encourage my students to be creative and try to think outside the box.  How can I as a teacher foster an environment where thinking outside the box is comfortable, when I struggle with this concept myself. I love surrounding myself with challenges, and lately try to add one new/innovative event, concept, lesson what have you to my everyday life. Sometimes it is hard to operate as if "the box" doesn't exist because that box has been there for several years! When I read your third point about caring what other people think, I first thought, she is a "people pleaser." Now I'm not sure if you in fact are, from what I've learned about you, you are such a strong insightful woman and you strive for nothing but the best! But I however, can be a "people pleaser." I want people to be happy with me, never upset or mad at me. At times I find myself so worn out and tired from doing/acting the way that people want me to. It is those times, that I realize what I have gotten myself into. (Usually this means my husband, Mom or Dad pointing it out to me.) I think that looking myself in the mirror and seeing my own self worth, and not letting others define who I am is key to success in life. When I am reading The Art of Possibility, I often find myself thinking, the possibilities truly are endless! I really enjoyed reading your blog and from one christian to another, I found myself nodding and smiling at the points you made, because they too hit home to me. I love reading other peoples' blogs and seeing their highlights of the reading because they are so unique and so insightful. Thanks for the post.

http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/528990

Week 2: Reading Writeup Chap1-4

The Dusty Old Light Bulb With A New Glow

http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/227545

Authors Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander write, "We perceive only the sensations we are programmed to receive, and our awareness is further restricted by the fact that we recognize only those for which we have mental maps or categories for." This makes me feel like I am back in my educational physiology course in college (by far one of my favorites). But this statement is so true. For me this ties in not only well with the first chapter but all the chapters. We want to look beyond just the worldly measurements or constraints that we have learned or perceived up to this point in our life. We want students to think outside the box and not ever limit themselves in their capabilities, and of course we want them to feel like they are active contributing members of the world we live in.

Can I just say that the chapter that talked about "giving an A" was truly insightful. Often times I find that my students, and even myself, feel distinguished by a worldly measurement such as a rank in the class or a grade received. But I thought it was very interesting to see how students reacted once they realized they were given an A. They were perceived as being an "A." I could just see the Taiwanese student's light bulb illuminate the brightest it had ever been when he was explaining his thoughts.The authors, Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander,truly state it well when they say, " Students would be in such a chronic state of anxiety over the measurement of their performance that they would be reluctant to take risks."

Since I wrote my free choice post prior to writing the reading reflection, I hadn't yet gotten to the 'Being a Contribution' chapter. As you will see/read in my post, I was struggling with the idea that my AR project will actually impact others. I think contribution is a big part of our society. Often times if you haven't written a book, produced a movie, starred in a movie or done something that impacts more than 100 people, we don't feel as thought we have contributed much in life. One of my goals as a teacher is educate students so that their education will become their children's education thus creating active and educated members of society. So does this mean that I am striving towards contribution? You betcha! (But honestly, I never really looked at it like that prior to reading this book.)

I found this book to be a great refresher. It really helps me to see a whole new side of myself and the life that I live. I am really looking forward to reading more!

Week 2: Comment #1 Pamela Holifield

Pam says,
"
I really enjoyed the first two chapters of this book. I actually stated to feel like I was watching a TED video presented by the author of this novel . It read like a lecture. I find myself saying, "Where could we possibly go from the technology we have today?"  I have to remind myself that there are more blocks of stone to be chipped away at.

My mom tells me a story at how someone knocked on her door one day when she was young in the 1940's. A man was selling property on Collins Avenue in Miami Beach. Her father slammed the door, and said, "That land will all be under water in a few years." If only he didn't see the square his mind made. Ahhh the Art of Possibility. "


My Comment,
Pam,
I can totally related to the book being like a written script to a TED video! I too read it like a lecture and the author truly did have some great points that really made me think, question and reflect. I love your little story of your Dad, and the following comment about the "square in his mind." Some people might read your post and say, "What does she mean by the square in his mind?"  They just need to think outside the box!

http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/47549

Week 1 Free Post

You Saved the Best video for last in my opinion!

Larry Lessig’s video was probably the highlight of all the videos that I watched. It helped really drive home how all this is affecting our students, the people of the future. I especially how he drove home the change in the way we live and learn. For example, “We watched television, they create.” He makes some very poignant remarks that are funny but so true. He talks about how we can’t go back, but yet we need to embrace the technology and the opportunities that the students are giving, and that we need to do better for them (being the students).

 (Image from http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/57387)

We, as parents and educators, need to educate more on copyright laws, but yet we need to encourage and foster a working creative environment for our students. We want them to succeed in all that they do and therefore should not allow them to remain stagnant but yet to build, compose, and create materials that they will take pride in and that will add value to the future of this world. I personally love the TED videos and have not yet seen one that I found boring or not interesting. I love to share these with my coworkers too.

Week 1 Comment #2: Bruchetta Jones

Bruchetta Jones' writes:

We had several videos to watch in regards to copyright.  It can be a very "sticky" issue, but in this post, I will try to clarify some common issues.

First off, copyright, as noted from Nathan Bamey of Expert Village, is a form of protection for original works in a tangible medium of expression.  In other words, if you create it, you have the right to protect it as your own.  Items that are protected are musical recordings, works of art, or architectural designs.  Not everything is not subject to copyright.  Improvisational works, titles, slogans, or items of common property are examples.

Copyrights are not forever.  For an author, a copyright can last their lifetime plus an additional 70 years.  For a company, a copyright has a duration of 100 years.  All of this does depend on the type of work, the date of origination, and countless other factors.

What was very interesting to me was the last video.  I have known about sampling for a number of years.  Listening to many R&B and Hip Hop tracks over the years, many I have found to be unoriginal, thinking back to "what song did they take?"  I did not know that filmakers have made a documentary about this process and so many people that I would have never imagined having a hand in hip hop.  I think that it is something that will continue for years to come, seeing that it is easier to me a "beat maker" with all of the programs and technology available.  It is so easy to be a musician today without knowing how to play an instrument or read a music note!

My Comment:

Bruchetta,

I too learned something new in that Copyrights are not forever, and they can be quite expensive to keep up with! After our music course, even in this program we learned quite a bit about composition of music. At first, I was intimidated, but then we learned all about garageband and its capabilities, and creating music seemed a bit less daunting. But to think of these “beat makers” and their sampling, in some ways I can see it being easier and others harder. For example, think about how much work we put into creating our own mixes? Granted over time this task would become much easier. Do you think that by sampling they are stealing or should they be covered under the fair use law or are they being innovative and creative in trying to keep great works still in the “mix” (pun intended). I just kind of wanted to get more of a feel for what your thoughts were on this.

~Britni

Week 1 Commen #1: Sarah

Sarah Baker-Dykes Writes:

The arguments and opinions regarding copyright issues could go on forever.  During his presentation at the TED conference, Larry Lessig painted a clear picture how parties on both sides of the “fair use” issue are not willing to compromise their stances.  In the meantime, our future, our children who are digital natives, have turned to piracy to create media and art by getting content off of the Internet. 

I understand the need for copyright laws and agree that the artists and owners should be compensated for their work.  However, when it comes to educating students, it’s a shame that the laws can’t be more forgiving seeing how instructors are making no profit from utilizing the content.  Students could be exposed to the new ideas and content that could help popularize the given content.  

(Image from http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/699634)

My Response:

Sarah,

I too think that Larry Lessig did an excellent job of describing both points of view on the fair use topic. Sometimes I wonder who is to judge what is fair use when it helps to grab a student’s attention, help them develop a further interest in learning a topic, or even to show them more practical applications? On the other hand, I am reminded of a quote from the video Good Copy, Bad Copy and that is, “Copyright is an incentive to create.” Which raises a good point. Then of course I look at the other side and that is, look at all the great materials of the past that are just sitting on shelves, hidden deep within the files. Why not bring back and then build upon some of those other outstanding works?  Those are just a few of my thoughts after reading your post.

~Britni

Week 1 Reading: Write-Up

 (image from http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/154884)

Copyright has always been confusing to me. I mean I know that when you use someone else’s work you must always give credit where credit is due but I had no idea that copyright had an actual (limited) lifespan. I also really appreciated the clarification of “fair use.” My first year of teaching, my fellow co-workers made “fair use” sound as though it was a given right, however it is not. There are limitation that we must be aware of. I also really appreciated the multitude of different points of view in the film Good Copy, Bad copy. One quote that I had to write down and think about was that copyright should not been as a limitation but yet “copyright is an incentive to create.”  This just really got me to thinking about analyzing copyrighted works, and fair use, and some of the ways this all effects not only teachers but also our students.

I am all about a shared culture, but I do believe that there still needs to be a copyright in place for those who want credit where its due. Creative Commons rocks in my opinion! I think they have not only the access but also the control that is needed. I see both ends of the spectrum. I see artists that want credit for their work no matter what, and I see people that are taking great works/materials, adding to them and creating new cutting edge innovative materials. Where exactly do we draw the line? Like with the sampling idea. This sampling takes so long and often times add in several pieces from several artists. I never really got my one questioned answered when it came to sampling, and that was, is sampling illegal? I did understand that there really is no written rule in regards to a set length when using media.