In earlier courses in the Online Learning and Teaching Degree program I was introduced to the terms Open Education Resource (OER) and Creative Commons but had not explored either in depth.
The video “Why Open Education Matters” (https://vimeo.com/43401199) presented several points in favour of Open Education Resources. These included reducing financial burdens to those who might not be able to afford enrolment in traditional courses or print textbooks; reaching people in remote areas who would find it difficult to attend face-to-face classes; and the ability to keep materials current. These are valid arguments. I remember reading an article (I will have to do some sleuthing to find out which one) that cited research that disproved the theory that open education resources and free or inexpensive courses (like MOOCs) would equalize opportunities for less advantaged persons. For whatever reason, the target audience did not respond as enthusiastically as anticipated.. The already educated seemed to be getting more educated and the gap was not closing. It may even have been getting wider. The video “Laws That Choke Creativity” (http://www.ted.com/talks/larry_lessig_says_the_law_is_strangling_creativity?language=en) by Larry Lessig presented a lot to consider. Are our laws regarding copyright and licensing and property outdated? Do the laws continue to serve their intended purpose? Are copyright and licensing laws stifling rather than promoting and protecting creativity? Mr. Lessig would have us believe so. Maybe he is right. The examples that he showed demonstrated how materials had been remixed in very creative ways. Would I want to give up all rights to my work? I do believe in sharing and openness but I, too, have reservations. I might worry how my work might be remixed. The videos Lessig chose were irreverent and intended to be humourous. Would the artist whose work had been remixed approve of how his work had become associated with the new product? Or would he find it offensive? As humans our creative works are often highly personal and having them contorted to convey a message contrary to their original intent or completely misinterpreted could be highly distressing. There really is no original idea. All ideas are sparked off another. No idea can exist in isolation. Like a flame without oxygen it will be snuffed out. We might as well embrace this reality and attempt to contain the flames by offering creators licensing options as in Creative Commons so the fire doesn’t die but neither does it grow into a raging wildfire. Surely, some people will get burned in the process but others will have their imaginations sparked.
4 Comments
Lindsey
5/10/2016 08:30:07 pm
Great post Chantelle. I have also been thinking a lot about how I would feel to have my work remixed and altered. I think we need to change our mindset into a more open idea of what sharing really is. I'm hoping that the various options provided by create commons licensing such as asking for appropriate credit and an indication that changes were made to the original work will at least make people feel that credit was given. I always tell my K-1 students to think of copying from each other as a great form of flattery. Hopefully we can create a new era of open idea sharing students.
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Helene Berube
5/30/2016 11:38:59 pm
I love your last paragraph. You are right that by looking and reading other people's creation, it can be inspiring and thought provoking. We all have our own ideas that are influenced by our life experiences and who we are. So, I think that it is good to look at other people's ideas to give us different perspectives and to inspire us to be open minded. It does not mean that we have to change our minds but at least we consider what is out there before affirming our own opinions.
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AuthorI am a primary teacher and aspiring writer. Archives
February 2017
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