MAC - Think Aloud #2

I am very glad to have been able to present during the Wimba session on Friday after my Internet troubles prevented me from attending on Thursday. I appreciated the responses of my peers, and more importantly, I benefited greatly from viewing the works and listening to the presentations of this incredible group of professionals. I will continue to edit my paper to have it ready for publication. As we move into Month 12, I must continue to push for excellence and jump in with both feet. There will be no time in Month 12 for Internet service interruptions. I must stay ahead of the curve so that I can relax once Dr. Bedard says I have completed my journey. Thank you, everyone, for a marvelous Month 11!

MAC - Think Aloud #1

The top two choices of where I would like to submit my article are Tech Trends and Educational Technology Research and Development. I chose these two venues because they both focus on the technology in education. My Action Research project focuses on best practices to enhance student achievement in an online educational environment. I am leaning more toward Tech Trends.

MAC - Week 4 Response #2 - Mark Lillquist

Oh do I miss Art, Mark! :)

It has been completely removed from the curriculum at my former high school. I'm also relatively certain that it is not offered at the middle school in town, either. At the elementary level, it's up to the teachers to do art whenever their schedule permits, but there is no longer an art teacher.

I loved your video. What grade level do you teach? My high school math classroom has looked similar in the past (sadly). I love the statement that "Zander's book was like medicine." Then, you immediately followed with ways that you can better manage your class so that you don't have as many issues with the students. Kids will be kids, right? No matter how much time we spend trying to "train" them. Especially, in art. I can remember the excitement and the freedom to make a "mess" and then call it "art!" My creativity was nurtured tremendously by my elementary art teacher. So, kudos to you! And, now you can take control of the situation and Rule #6 may help you find that passion and enjoy the insanity of the students.

Thank you for sharing!

Amanda

From Mark:

Ch 9:

I believe I sparked some students' interest when I brought in some Styrofoam heads and some human hair tracks. Gluing the hair to the little nylon cap seemed to fascinate them. I like the Brit’s solution to their education problem because it addressed the motivational needs of the students rather than the pedagogical methods of the teachers.

Ch 10:

Wowzers, I needed this chapter because I was blaming the students for being mischievous…during the last weeks of school. I should know by now to batten down the hatches, provide super fun stuff with a heavy grade, and be on continuous patrol with parents on speed dial…and rule number six.

Ch 11:

Humility

Ch 12:

Refresh your dreams and awake to a new day of possibility

MAC - Week 4 Response #1 - Mike Wood

Excellent post, Mike! :)

I am thrilled to have read this as I return (hopefully) back to my former teaching position in my former high school. Though I haven't shared your frustration in my short teaching career yet (7 years), I know SEVERAL teachers who have felt, or currently feel, the same way as you described. The frustration in the educational settings appear to be growing stronger as money tightens and teachers are held to higher and higher standards. Can you imagine what it would be like if all teachers, administrators, and district personnel adopted the mindset described in the Art of Possibility? That would be an amazing system!

Thank you for sharing!

Amanda

Mike's Post:

I wish I had this book when I was teaching full time. Chapter 9 Lighting a Spark would have been an inspiration at a time when I had given up hope of ever being able to motivate and really engage my students. Working with high school students with learning disabilities is so difficult to begin with and when faced with teaching a mandatory curriculum that is clearly designed for younger students it became almost impossible. They were discouraged and insulted and so was I. Looking back on it now I realize that we had lost sight of the spark within us, we had lost sight of the fact that we could nurture that spark in each other. Being the Board, chapter 10, would have allowed us to act in a way that allowed us to choose our own path and to quit blaming others for our circumstances. You see here that I am including myself in the equation. I had become as disillusioned and as helpless as my students. I carried the revenge creature around on my shoulder for the last 2 years in the high school and reacted to the administration by blaming them for how I felt for what they had forced upon the students. I had quit working with them in a “We” frame of mind and had instead firmly retreated in to an, us vs them mode. It did no one any good. I had finally reached the end of my rope and resigned. This year, after a year away from teaching, I decided to start subbing again. In the final 2 weeks of school I was once again back at the high school that I had walked away from, from the students I had walked away from. Many expressed regret that I had quit but here they were about to graduate and once again I could see the spark in their eyes they as I do, feel reenergized and full of hope for the future now. This book and my time at Full Sail have given me a new way of approaching teaching. I’m looking forward to practicing a new way of seeing things, “The Art of Possibility.”

MAC - Week 4 Reading - The Master of my Destiny = ME

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the Art of Possibility, and would prefer to have had it in paper form rather than digital form. I want it on my bookshelf! :) One idea that stood out to me was in Chapter 10...My take - We are not victims. Though bad things may happen, we share the responsibility of everything that happens in life. We choose our destiny. Yes, unfortunate things happen to "good" people everyday. It's your response to those unfortunate/bad things that defines you. I'm all for accountability, but this chapter takes it to a whole new level. And, I laughed through most of it because it sounds so reminiscent of the conversations I have with my husband. Since his tours in Iraq, he has become a far more negative person, a victim of circumstances. I often tell him that he chooses to place himself in situations. Therefore, he shares the responsibility of whatever occurs. I'm still working to convince him that he is NOT a victim. He can choose his path and magnify his destiny. We all have choices. Everything is a choice. Granted, unexpected things may happen, but we can still choose how to deal with them. The power of choice makes you a master rather than a slave to the things life throws at you. If you choose to be a "victim" then a victim you shall be. If you choose to be responsible for whatever happens in life, then you are in the driver's seat. Even if you get rear-ended (as in Chapter 10), you chose to be in that car at that particular time. Perhaps you will choose a different path on the next drive. Or, perhaps, the risk of driving that same path again may prove to be negligent if you otherwise were enjoying the drive. We live in a world where perception = reality. I perceive myself as a conqueror, enjoying life to the fullest! (Though, I would prefer a little more sleep lately.) haha!

Wk 4 Publishing_Leadership Project

Online instruction is gaining momentum as technology becomes more accessible and academic standards become more rigorous. Many educators are familiar with distance and online learning at the higher education level (colleges, universities, trade schools, professional development, etc.). In recent years, online education has entered into public K-12 education. In recent months, several traditional public schools have partnered with online instructors or have developed their own online programs to help meet the needs of their students and accomplish the goals of No Child Left Behind.

Click the links below to review the project and my thoughts along the journey:

Publishing/Leadership Presentation Document

Think Aloud #1

Think Aloud #2

MAC - Week 3 Response - Wimba

This week's Wimba was a woeful reminder of how much catching up I have to do after a week away from the computer. This week, I had several face-to-face meetings with the leaders of FLVS, and was able to present a new idea that we may actually implement soon. The Wimba session was a stark reminder of the need to better manage my time to find balance between work, school, and family in the midst of senior season and unexpected travel. As I mentioned in my post to Brian, I must also take responsibility for my choices and be accountable for my decisions. My job and family had to take center stage this week, and I will refocus my energies back to my coursework in the coming week. My submissions for this week, though hopefully adequate, are not representative of the quality of work for which I am accustomed to submitting. I appreciate the details that were given with respect to our project and presentations next week. This is a Wimba session that I will watch more than once. At the present time, I plan to write the paper rather than create a PowerPoint or Keynote. Once I am able to focus more fully on this project, however, that may change.

MAC - Week 3 Response #2 - Brian Flax

I agree that it is often difficult for leaders to admit mistakes. Too often, I see the "blame game" - the hunt for the fall guy. Have you noticed that it's not only leaders that seem to be having trouble holding themselves accountable for their actions? I have noticed an increasing sense of entitlement from my students, and a decreasing inclination to take responsibility for their actions. If our leaders don't model appropriate behavior soon, I shudder to think of what will become of today's teenagers.

I too, like the idea of the white sheet, and may adapt it to fit my needs as I return (hopefully) to the traditional classroom next fall. I have always worked to empower my students in the classroom; to address them as a team, where I am simply the coach. The coach may give direction and guidance, but it's the TEAM that does the work and wins the victory.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts!

Amanda

From Brian:

Another great few chapters in the Art of Possibility. This week I read chapters 5-8 which basically expanded on the first four great chapters of this book. There was a lot from the chapters that I was able to take away. My favorite part of this weeks reading was the story of the conductor. Too often people in a leadership position are not able to take a step back and admit when they were wrong. This statement was all too true at my last employer.

It was refreshing to hear about a story where the person in the leadership position was able to take a step back and admit when they made a mistake. It took the pressure off of the musicians and put the fault where it belonged. It was also nice to see that the conductor’s mistake brought about change for both himself and the musicians in the orchestra. The white sheet idea was a great way for people to put their constructive thoughts about the leadership to use and also for the conductor to learn about what he is doing that could be done better. It was nice to see that the criticism did not come too often and that he made positive changes. For people in a leadership role, this is someone that should be looked up to. (A person I wish my old boss could learn from).

Overall I still think this is one of the best textbooks that the EMDT program has offered. I have never been much of a fan of self help books. I have found that the material in this book can genuinely help people that are looking to bring positive change to themselves and people around them, and I think in this genre of books it is hard to find.

I am still looking forward to finishing the rest of this book!

MAC - Week 3 Response #1 - Ashley Nottis

I couldn't agree more, Ashley! :) I began co-teaching in April, and Rule #6 is a MUST! Imagine co-teaching when you live hours away across the state! haha!

It does have it's benefits: we don't have to share the same space; no dry-erase markers; no interrupting when I'm "teaching." :) But, we have a combined total of 350 students, and we had to find the best ways to serve them. We're still working out the kinks. The best thing is that we were able to take the best practices from each of us and combine and tweak them to better serve our students. It's always neat to see how other teachers do the same thing. Though, I have to say....I HATED it when another teacher was in my traditional classroom. I'm much more relaxed with other teachers in my virtual classroom. :)

Thank you for sharing!

Amanda

From Ashley:

While reading this week Rule #6 stood out to me with blinking lights and whistles sounding, don’t take yourself so seriously! This year was my first year in a co-teach setting and working with another person all day everyday is not an easy task. The story of the business partners really made me think. We both want the same thing; we just reach that goal in different ways. My co teacher and I do really like each other, and have a lot in common. The fact is we both want to be right and we both want the best for our students. Over the past year we have figured this out, although it has not always been easy. Team work almost ALWAYS requires Rule #6!!

MAC - Week 3 Reading - Leading from anywhere

I can definitely identify with being a leader from whatever position I occupy at any given moment. I can't seem to help myself....I always want to be the best at whatever I do. So, I strive to obtain as much knowledge/experience as possible. For example, when I was in the traditional math classroom, I wanted to have students with the best scores; I wanted to have the least amount of discipline problems; and I wanted to deliver the most engaging lessons. That mentality led me to attend the annual FCTM conference and to obtain my National Board Certification as means to gain more exposure to mathematical projects and other teaching styles. My students consistently performed well on standardized tests, and I had VERY few issues with parents or students. My success in the classroom allowed me to branch out into other areas of the school, and I was encouraged to obtain a Masters degree in Educational Leadership and Administration. Since then, I have had many opportunities with respect to leadership, in and out of the traditional classroom. My time at FLVS has been similar. I presented a "Big Idea" last week at our main office in Orlando, that may be piloted this summer.

I do not say all of this to toot my own horn. This is merely an illustration. If a person wants to lead, he/she can lead from anywhere and any position. Leadership is a state of mind. Of course, I guess you're not technically a leader unless there are followers. However, if you do your job/schoolwork, with integrity and excellence, I believe people will follow.

As I mentioned in my previous post, I made sure to demonstrate that we ALL fail sometimes, and we don't ALWAYS have the answers. It's OK to fail, and to be wrong, and to NOT know something. The students in my classroom always had varying strengths. It was those differences that made us successful as a class. Where one is weak, another is strong, and vice-versa. Collectively, we were a force to be reckoned with (as they say in Calhoun County). :)

Image from Creative Commons - If you can't read the text, it says "Walk the walk, and leave a good trail."

MAC - Week 2 Response - Wimba

Wow! What a Wimba session! I have dowloaded this for future use. Apparently, everyone I know in education has been using "fair use" incorrectly and has (at least once) broken copyright law. I do, however, believe that a lot of copyright law, especially with respect to what is used in education, is rarely going to be enforced. It would simply be a nightmare to try to persecute every case due to it's widespread nature. That being said, we have a moral and ethical obligation to adhere to the law and to teach our students how to use media and other works in a responsible and ethical manner. Herein lies the challenge. We must model this behavior and provide opportunities for our students to practice using information in the correct fashion. We must open the art of possibility and ask students if they could take their own pictures or create their own music. We can also have them get accustomed to asking permission to use other people's creations. Thank you for the excellent session. The discussion was wonderful!

Image obtained from Creative Commons

MAC - Week 2 Response #2 - Terrance McNeil

Excellent comments on the Art of Possibility, Terrance. The text resonated with my typical view of life, but it challenged me to continue in this method of thinking. Life is perfect. :)

Especially in times of stress, we retreat to the survival mentality which may blind us to the myriad of available options. It can definitely be challenging not to think in terms of measurement, especially in the field of education. I teach math, so measurement is an integral part of my world. However, for some odd reason (I blame and thank my parents), I've never felt confined by the box. I've always challenged conventional wisdom and enjoyed the opportunity to find new ways of doing things.

Life is what you make it. Thank you for the great post!

Amanda McGhee

From Terrance:

I have been reading “The Art of Possibilty” by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander. It is an excellent book from what I have read so far. It is full of inspiring words of wisdom framed around actual situations they have experienced.

The construct and perception issue was very interesting to me. Many times life is all about the way we perceive a thing. I thought the analogy about the two shoe salesmen in Africa was awesome. I shared it with my class. I found myself wondering how much of my own unhappiness I contribute to by not having a healthy perspective.

I was reminded of the Matrix movies when I read the “Its All Invented” section. Creating the construct to suit our needs seems to be such a simple solution. It makes sense. In the movie Neo had to first get past his “in the box” thinking to achieve greatness.

I was drawn into the comments on the pathology that the book addressed dealing with the rationale for our decisions. It is true that many of our decisions are based on rationale and not on the true reasons for our motivation.

This book is extremely insightful. I have not thought in terms of the way we collectively see the world in the ways this book highlights. It is very true that through the various scientific eras we have been adding to our global paradigm (page 13).

In my opinion learning to recognize the world of possibility by identifying the measurement world was brilliant. It is very hard not to think in terms of measurement world limitations. Recognizing this makes you long for a world where that is not an issue- the world of possibility.

The process of “giving an A” was very profound. I have tried to teach my students to recognize the best in each other but this takes it to another level. I feel empowered to grow with even more people who come in my life now. The World of Possibility is a place I would like to spend a lot of time in.

MAC - Week 2 Response #1 - Kris Newton

Kris, I couldn't agree more. I, too, teach online (using a different platform, obviously). My work is done completely at home with my PC on one side of my L-Shaped desk and my Mac on the other side. You know if I'm a teacher or student by the direction I'm facing and the computer I'm using. haha!

I already have a MS in Ed Leadership/Administration, but I have learned more practical and immediately applicable information from Full Sail than I did in my BS and MS combined, I believe. My problem is that I really want to dig into some of these things, but there hasn't been the time to do it.

I, too, am struggling with burnout as my team at FLVS attempts to survive senior season while going through trainings to implement our new LMS. That, coupled with my Developing Leader program at FLVS (I'll be giving presentations next week), and an impending move back to north Florida (6/4) has left me feeling very run down (major understatement). Like you, I have a great appreciation for what I've learned during my time at Full Sail, but I am counting the days until graduation. Time for a system reboot. :)

Thank you for your honest post!

Kris' post:

Well, here we are, second to the last month of the EMDT Master's program and I must say, I am looking forward to it being over. I did enjoy the journey of the program and found each course to be quite informative and thought provoking, however, I believe I am in burnout currently. I do feel that it is mostly due to the fact that I work in FSO all week and then when I come home, I had to work in FSO for the class work and after almost a year of doing that, I am just really wanting to take a step away from it for awhile. Since the MAC class is the second to the last one, I am trying to hold out until this is all over and done with before taking that break, but I know I am definitely going to need one.

I must say that I have learned quite a bit going through this program. My background before working at Full Sail dealt mainly with computer systems and network administration. so my techniques for teaching were straight to the point and 'bulletpoint-y' in nature. This program allowed me to see all the different ways to be able to engage students and give them a more enhanced learning experience. From the Multiple Intelligences to learning how to best utilize multimedia and web 2.0 tools, it gave me the tools to help revamp the course I teach to incorporate these techniques and philosophies to better engage students. Now I am trying to find ways to further what I have learned to make the learning experience even better for them by trying to find more ways to use virtual worlds to really motivate the students. So far, I have written quite a few assignments and discussions that I could use as course work and am trying to spread the knowledge to other instructors on how they could incorporate Second Life into their course for a more interactive experience with their students. I do feel that this is the next step that online education needs to take to give the students that interactivity that many online courses still lack. Overall, my experiences through the EMDT has made me a better instructor, I feel, and am now armed with the tools I will need to continue to bring an engaging learning experience for the students of Full Sail.

MAC - Week 2 Reading - Perfect :)

For the most part, this week's reading aligned very well my philosophy of life. Thanks to my fabulous parents, I have always seen the cup as "half full" and obstacles as merely another challenge. In saying that, you would think that my parents were still together and that life was always rosy for me. Quite the contrary...they got divorced when I was 8. While there is much more to the story, I'll just say that I have seen a few obstacles in my day. However, my parents believed I was an "A" from the moment I was born. Failure was merely another opportunity to learn. If you fail, just don't do it that way again. :)

Generally speaking, I am always perfect. My outlook on life has served me well as I face the challenges of life. Without practice seeing the good in everything and working through or around obstacles, I may not have been able to handle the affects of my husband's traumatic brain injury and the impact that it has on him and on our family. But, he is healing....and he came home. There are always negative things in life, but why focus on that? Who wants to set their sights on paths of darkness when there is so much light all around us. Life is what we make it...not what happens to us. :)

I will say that I differ from the text with respect to the A. In spirit, I believe that I was doing the same thing in my classroom, but I don't think that the author would agree. Obviously, in the current education system, giving everyone an A is unacceptable. I also work with teenagers and teach Algebra I and II (not every teenager's favorite course). So, motivation was key. I never wanted students to be afraid to fail in my class. In my opinion, if you're going to fail....fail fast...then learn something and move on. :)

If you never fail, then you never risked anything. Back to the classroom....In the first week of class, I typically gave a problem that very few (if any) students could answer. Then, I ask "Who is brave enough to raise their hand if they have no idea what the answer is?" The result is very entertaining. Two or three hands immediately shoot up (the class clowns that have always claimed that they're stupid or just hate math). Those hands are followed by the more hesitant, middle of the road, students as they look around the room to see who else may not know the answer. Eventually, most (if not all) hands go up. And, I exclaim with a big grin..."See, you're not the only idiot in the room! " My students know my personality, and know that I'm not truly talking down to them in any way. They realize that it's ok to not know the answer. Also, I always have students say, "But you make it look so easy." To which I respond, "I hope so....I've been doing these same problems for years. Thank God I'm finally getting the right solutions! This is the first time you've ever seen this...it takes practice." :)

I disagree that grades are merely a way to compare students. In my course, the letter grades have always been a representation of the student’s level of mastery of the course content. However, in the spirit of this week's reading....My goal is to eradicate fear and break down barriers to learning. To do so, you must let go of any preset notions of the students and meet them on their level. You can't break down obstacles if the students don't let you see where the obstacles lie. I disagree that the grades are a way to compare students. In my course, the letter grades have always been a representation of the student’s level of mastery of the course content. Zander (1995) states, “Since the teacher’s job is to help her students chip away at the barriers that block their abilities and expression, she aligns herself with the students…, and lets the standards maintain themselves” (p. 36). I just took out “to whom she has given an A.”

I look forward to reading more!

MAC - Week 1 Free Choice - FilmRiot

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I LOVE the FilmRiot series. Even though I absolutely abhor blood and horror, the effects that they are displaying can be easily used in non-nightmare fashion. This is another resource I have added to my “must invest more time” list. When my coursework at Full Sail is over, I hope that I have enough time to really dig into some of these resources and begin mastering many of the things of which I have been exposed in the last 10+ months. Now, I really want some ideas about video cameras. I want a new video camera that has more features than the ones I have purchased in the past. Until now, I have appreciated all of the automatic features of my previous purchases. Now, I want something that allows for more manual adjustments (light, focus, etc.). I’m open to any and all suggestions.

MAC - Week 1 Response #2 - Bruce Neubauer

Great post, Bruce! :)

I agree that at its core, copyright deals with basic morals (theft). That being said, we use other people's ideas every day. Very little of what we do or think can be considered "new." As an educator, I hope that my students take my thoughts, ideas, concepts, and even direct quotes and use them if it's appropriate in their lives. While I realize that music, art, videos, etc. may be slightly different than "ideas," I think the primary issue here is money rather than the moral outrage that someone would claim another's work as their own. I too, am an artist, and get a kick out of it if people use my work. However, I can also understand being angry if other people were getting paid for something that involved very little work on their part after I had labored to create it (if that makes any sense).

I completely agree with you that the traditional roles of the musician (and singer) are changing dramatically. Instruments and voices are being digitally "enhanced" and altered to create much of what we hear today. Distribution is a major issue for the record labels in the face of file sharing and Internet downloads.

I also happen to be on the slippery slope, as I love using music (old and new) to help me tell a story. I get a kick out of splicing the old and new together to produce something different - altering the mood of my audience (primarily just my family). Though, obviously, I am not creating anything of my own in the process. I have found, though, that familiar music can really enhance video productions.

As for what is right and what is wrong....I'm really going to have to take some time to think. Thank you for the insightful post!

From Bruce's blog:

I am a fanatical user of http://creativecommons.org/ , but even there one must be cautious. Just because an image is available does not mean it is usable. Often one must check with the image's owner to view the CC license agreement. My experience with CC is that usually the owner allows for free usage (including image manipulation) as long as you do several things: 1) Give proper attribution, 2) Give proper tittle, and 3) Make some kind of statement in which the image's owner is viewed as endorsing the content of your production.

I also like to use old film and video footage. It is fun to view and adds a nice creative bump to any video project. Older black and white footage is especially cool to use in more modern pieces. Its retro look even adds a bit of humor. I have used stock footage this way in several FSO projects. A great place to locate stock footage is at Internet Archive http://www.archive.org/ This site provides a vast array of older films that are bow in the category of public domain. Public domain is great stuff because there is absolutely no worries whatsoever about any ownership infringements.

I did like the 10 copyright myths. I always used to laugh when someone would tell me, "But I'm not selling it." I could never convince these people that the issue was never about sale, it was about unauthorized duplication of any kind.

As to the content of the film, Good Copy, Bad Copy. I'm not sure where my thinking is on this. I have never really considered it before. I tend to believe someone's property is someone's property, regardless whether it is physical or intellectual or creative. I have strong feelings about people being overly subjective about someone else's possessions. I understand the need for the free exchange of ideas. But to freely exchange a creative piece that is the direct product of someone else's s efforts and talent? Well, I just don't know. This feels like a slippery slope to me. I have the impression we are trying to over-intellectualize what is at the core a moral issue. Maybe that's why it feels slippery to me. It feels like a lot of people seeking for a way to justify a presupposition.

As the one executive stated, "You need copyright law as an incentive for people to create." Also, I have read that the era of the 'professional' musician is on the wane. The advent of digital technology and the Internet have completely changed how musicians produce and distribute their creations. We may be seeing a major shift in how music is consumed by its listeners. According to the film this is already the model in Brazil. Still, I have a hard time calling someone 'creative' when all they are doing is mashing up pre-existing pieces and parts from someone else's talent. It's ending up with a product, but with little of the sweat and musing of a real artist. Again, this feels like a slippery slope of some kind, like we're willing to settle for a certain amount of creative blandness; like we're becoming addicted to mediocrity.

I have used footage from other films and videos in my FSO projects. So I am also a remixer of sorts. But I certainly would not call my projects creative or artistic. I just reassembled a few odds and ends to use toward an end.

But I have to hear and read more before I can think intelligently about the issue.

MAC - Week 1 Response #1 - Jim McPeek

Nice wrap up of this week's videos, Jim! :)

You brought up something that has been bugging me for a couple of years that I didn't even consider in light of this material. I have asked many Brighthouse technicians why they have a slot for a Smartcard that cannot be used. I still have countless VHS tapes from my younger days (not to mention 8 mm video tapes and even a few reels). I love the ability to edit new media, but I do miss having a collection of recorded shows. We won't even talk about my cassette recordings of my favorite radio stations. If I ever get some "free" time (haha!) I plan to convert most of my older videos and cassettes into digital format. But, I do miss the old way of doing things, too.

Ok. So if you are Walt Disney....

AUTHOR lifetime + 70 (1901-1966 +75 = year 2041)

COMPANY 100 years (1930 +100 = year 2030)

If you are... or more accurately “were” Walt Disney your work would be covered from your death plus 75 years. If you consider the company Disney, which started say in the 1930’s, would you gain maybe another 20-30 years of copyright as a corporation run by the creator of the images? (The Author) Due to the “author” having a long life? (He died in 1966 gives the author until 2041.) A company organized in 1930 duration of copyright would be until 2030. Also what happens if the company reorganizes along the way does the copyrights get re-copyrighted?

Good Copy, Bad Copy Directed by JOHNSEN, CHRISTENSEN, MOLTKE

“New Art Form” - I have a few thoughts on some remarks made in Good Copy, Bad Copy. I don’t know that I am going to agree that the “New Art Form” is taking something and making “it” new. A different creation has evolved or developed from what was there and maybe even unrecognizable from it’s beginning sound, but it would not exist without the originals artistic or inartistic origin from the artist.

Other wise the same thing could have been created by their own hand using their own devices and instruments. “It” would not be “new” had it not been “old” to begin with.

Swedish Servers Controversy about privacy- In the section about the servers being taken down, then coming up again, and then a political movement being formed on the basis of privacy rights. The line about “keeping” communication details of phone and emails for 10 years does seem somewhat innocent enough, but if you consider the WWII history of these countries... their concerns begin to make sense. In WWII phone information was used to target what was interpreted as dissidents or undesirables that in many cases led to people disappearing in the night never to be seen again. Phone bills, in the recent past, of those regions did not contain phone numbers called information because of fears from the past. I don’t know if it is still true today.

My thoughts...

Something more Media Consumers might consider PLUS Betamax- At the same time the video presentations we watched are calling for access to works for use to create “new” works they did point to the unavailability of old materials as well. Even indicating that some legacies of media are disintegrating with no hope of preservation. I have noticed the TV sources becoming more and more closed. What I mean is the day of “recording” your favorite television show onto something that YOU can throw onto the shelf for your enjoyment later is slowly disappearing. (Really quickly less than 5 years.) Most VCRs sold today don’t record. You can dub to DVD but they don’t even have a tuner to freely record from a specific TV station. In many cases the DVRs that are available do not allow easy access for shows to be placed on alternate medium. It is almost like the 1980’s Betamax case is being erased....

MAC - Week 1 Reading - Copyright

Copyright is definitely a hot topic, particularly now as media becomes more easily accessible via Internet. I worked in the music industry for 6 years. I managed Wherehouse Music (which later became Blockbuster Music), and also recorded two songs at a studio in downtown Nashville. I personally witnessed the sharp decline in CD sales as file sharing became a national craze. So, I can believe that the music industry took a 7 billion dollar hit as mentioned in the “Good Copy/Bad Copy” video. The videos my husband was given during his tours in Iraq were a testament to the size of the black market of video piracy. I have heard several people comment that they had no problem paying the artists for their work, but paying the record labels was a different story. Interestingly, though, was the comment in Anderson’s (2010) article, “Effects on the economy as a whole, then, are terribly speculative and seem more likely to be simply redistributive.” I can’t wait to learn about the ins and outs of “fair use” as I believe that this is most likely a misunderstood aspect of copyright. I can personally identify with the music mixes. When I was first introduced to mixing software, I had a blast mixing music. In my traditional school, I generally mixed the music for all of the motivational events and pep rallies. As I return to that environment, I need to be more aware of what is and is not allowed so that I can model and teach my students.

Copyright image from Creative Commons