WK2 MAc Emdt Wimba

I reviewed the entire Archive of Wimba 2 But question 1 was the catalyst:

Question #1
1. Only copyright owner can use the work [or anyone that the owner gives permission to] Correct answer

2. Easy to understand [NOT]

3. Permanently fixed work that can be seen or heard

4. Law that protects the ideas of inventors [pertains to patents not copyright, ideas can not be copyrighted]

I was interested in Michael’s comment regarding answer 3. Permanently fixed work that can be seen or heard. He said. “ I don’t like the word ‘permanently’….I can destroy my work if I want, therefore its not permanent. Also there are permanently fixed works that aren’t under any copyright”.

I agree, I don’t like the term permanent. I thought ‘what does permanently fixed mean exactly’? Great point Michael! But, oh my goodness….Most people are not aware of how powerful media is, good or evil. If media has recorded it, it is then evidence of your work or actions. Joe’s later response was something in the back of my mind…In today’s world, this digital age…If you post it digitally in anyway (e-mail, idisk, public folder, YouTube, viddler, performing music at a local bar, personal website creation, sketch-fu, sumopaint, facebook …on and on…) your work can be copied as many times as anyone cares to without you knowing unless you are able to control the conditions….and the reality sets in…

As Joe Said “ Easy to understand, CLEARLY…Copyright is not easy to understand”


I was listening to the discussion regarding music. My son’s father invested an unrecognized amount to time, energy, thought, heart, and talent into his original music and lyrics. I have included much of his talents in my productions here with my EMDT studies with his permission. I have urged him to make a mark for all that he has accomplished to no avail. How do I convince him that his time spent is worth more than the grief that it took for him to produce???

The premise of “its not how you got the media or how you use the media, its about whether you have permission to use the media” hinders individual commentary from a teacher’s point of view. I am all for giving credit where credit is due. However, there are so many rules in digital creation that discourage commentary on digital influence that it is easier to be ignorant in comparison.

When I create, I realize, artists I have studied influence my work. However, I will not reproduce an imagine without claiming it as “Learning from the Masters”. How do I teach my art students about styles of art without allowing them to copy from the masters? So many issues when it comes to the visual arts… I know that is taking things too literally, however time does make a difference.

In regards to offering video to the student body, I was a part of a PTO meeting last year where they discussed allocating funds for a license to advertise a movie nights for our students. This was something that I had not considered before, yet our parents were aware of. Thank goodness for advocacy for the arts and for parents who go above and beyond.

Regardless of law, I give credit where credit is due at every opportunity. I want to thank everyone who has contributed to my sense of “being” no matter how the information has been delivered. To honor all is a goal in which I’ll never achieve…yet I am very grateful to gain from others experiences.