Since it has been bothering me for a bit, I decided to try and get to the bottom of the legal issues related to podcasting. Turns out, the legality of podcasting, still very new, is closely related and almost identical to the legality of blogging (hence, I ended up finding out about the legality of this...and that).
I started thinking about it after I found out that the author of one of my chosen webpages commented on my blog, which is pretty cool. Then I realized that I didn't mention her name, and wondered if I should have since this is a public blog. I am hyper aware of copyright issues but I have no clue what is acceptable and what isn't.
So I researched the legality of podcasting and discovered a pretty comprehensive legal guide to podcasting (I decided to add hyperlinks like you, Jess!). My head is still reeling and I am still trying to sort out what is all means, but I did find some information that will help me at least get started in the podcasting world without losing sleep about copyright infringement.
What I learned in Instructional Computing I, like fair use, still stands. However, it all changes when a podcast leaves the school and enters the rest of the world through the internet, just like this blog. Luckily, there is such as thing a "podsafe" content available from Creative Commons (another organization I want to learn more about now).
My main concern is the use of music in podcasting for introductions, transitions, and conclusions. I think that the use of auxiliary audio in podcastings (background music, transitions, etc.) really enhance the final product, and I feel my students would become even more excited and engage being able to incorporate music they find appropriate. I know I would.
It's not that I am concerned that my students or I would actually get in trouble for using copyrighted material (I've listened to plenty of educational podcasts that appear to violate these laws), but I am stuck on the principle of it. As our society and educational system are quickly changing with technology, I feel that it is my responsibility as an educator to set an example and teach students how to not only properly cite sources to avoid plagiarism but also how to avoid breaking laws while blogging, podcasting, or social networking. Many of my students have already discovered MySpace and other social sites, and they will most likely turn into bloggers and podcasters. Since this is obviously the direction in which people are heading, I feel that I must somehow incorporate this into my instruction and demonstrate the proper way to do it.
I just need to sort it all out for myself first....
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
I agree with you on wanting to know what is legal and what isn't in relation to what we post on the web. How would you plan to teach your students about the legalities of podcasting? I also feel that we, as educators, must teach our students about right and wrong when it comes to all areas in life (especially since some parents seem to choose not to do so). The article was full of information (almost too full to comprehend in one sitting), but it was all useful. What is Creative Commons (maybe your next post?)?
I still haven't comprehended all the information.
Creative Commons is, according to Wikipedia, "a non-profit organization devoted to expanding the range of creative work available for others legally to build upon and share". Creative Commons copyright licenses restrict only certain rights (or none) of a creative work.
If you check out the site, the headline reads "share, reuse, remix---legally". The search is cool; you can search Google, Yahoo, Flickr, blip.tv and OWL music to find materials that you can legally employ in blogs or podcasts.
Thanks for asking...your question motivated me to follow through and I am glad I did. Go us!!!
Post a Comment