23 Things #6

Well, the best thing about technology and teaching that I have had first hand knowledge of is "everywhere availability"! I am laid up in the hospital for 4 days and I am still able to get my assignments accomplished and communicate with my students and parents via blogs and my classroom website. I find it timely that we are discussing Fair Use Policies as I can distribute lessons, and information via the web so my classroom can function in my absence. I would consider that a Fair Use, wouldn't you? I was told by my Tech supervisor that I could not put a 30 sec continuous loop of pop music on my web page because of copyright infringement laws. (I, personally would like to see James Taylor and Earth Wind and Fire come for a visit. I could get their autograph :) But, I talked with my daughter and son-in-law who work in the business for a major corporation and they basically said the same thing as what I heard in the videos provided in this class. They assess risk factors for each instance of use. Here in education, it seems we have a little more leeway than big businesses and their corporate event productions. I am glad for the affirmation that this information has given me to keep the music on my website as it provides encouragement via music to my students. I think that it follows the Fair Use Guidelines and really enhances the music for what it was originally intended, just in a different way. As far as incorporating mass media into my teaching, I discovered TeacherTube.com which is a great resource for short videos. I can also see using photo mashup and current publications to have the students create articles or research project posters as assessments of their learning in current events or history and science. Rubistar.com is a great resource to make rubrics for such innovative projects.