Week 10: Synthesizing, Remixing & Creating Images & Slideshows

This week, we were given the opportunity to learn about the complex copyright laws that exist and to use that information to create a short, 30 second presentation about our findings. It is very important to learn about these laws so that we don't violate them in our lifetimes, and to not be shocked if we are faced with consequences of irresponsible digital use.

What did you learn/notice in your exploration of slideshow tools? How will these tools be useful in your educational activities?
In my exploration of several slideshow tools, I've come to the realization that there are an incredible variety of online presentation tools that we can use as students in place of Microsoft Powerpoint. There are specific tools for specific uses, and choosing the appropriate tool for our intentions can better suit our needs than using Powerpoint for everything.

With Animoto, we were able to make a slideshow using a number of photos, and include captions to explain or clarify the ideas we are trying to present visually. It includes a variety of songs that we can choose from to use to enhance our presentation. It also includes templates that include visually stimulating video effects, without requiring the user to style the video - we only need to upload the photos and provide the commentary.The main problem with Animoto is that it only allows us to make a 30 second video if we don't pay. Other tools, such as Photopeach, seem to be viable free alternatives for students to use to accomplish the same goals. Image-based presentation tools can be useful for visual presentations that do not require tonnes of information on the slides, and can be used to entertain or capture the audience's attention as a presentation's introduction. However, it does not seem to be a valid replacement for Powerpoint if we need to get a certain amount of information across.

Prezi, on the other hand, is an example of a tool that can be effectively used in place of Powerpoint. It allows us to put a significant amount of text and information on the slides, without sacrificing the visual interest element. It also allows us to easily embed videos and images - we don't need to actually download those videos or images, we simply have to input a URL. Prezi also offers a dynamic visual format - the presentation is shaped like a single visual mind-map, with emphasis on certain parts serving as (what would be considered in Powerpoint) 'slides'. With the ease with which we can use this tool to create attention-grabbing and interesting slideshows, it is no wonder this tool is becoming increasingly popular for both students and teachers.

What could Animoto, Photopeach, Fotobabble, Prezi, or Powtoon contribute to your work in building knowledge?

Moylan, K. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.kaylamoylan.info/tag/animoto/. 

These presentation tools can allow me to more efficiently create effective presentations. They also allow me to synthesize information that I learn using images and videos that are available online ['remixing' (Ferguson, 2011, http://everythingisaremix.info)]. Synthesizing and processing information in our own terms and formats is key to learning, as I have learned from my experiences as a student, so while these tools can't help me retrieve knowledge, it can help me solidify my understanding of that knowledge.

How are these creative knowledge expression tools different from other collaborative/communication tools or the collective knowledge building tools you have explored?
These creative knowledge expression tools are more individual based and are, in most cases, created on a single computer. Compared to to collaborative/communication tools we have explored in the past, there is a greater emphasis on the individual learner with these knowledge expression tools. Individuals interact by creating different presentations with opposing opinions and directions. However, similar to tools we have explored in the past, they are also web-based and can be accessed anywhere where there is Internet. In my opinions, these installation-free tools are more effective in most cases than computer software that we often have to pay for.

How could you add this to your PLE? Will you?
I will absolutely be adding Animoto and Photopeach to the synthesizing and creating content section of my PLE. These are effective tools that allow us to both produce and absorb content.

What are you learning about becoming a digital citizen? What have you learned about using images (and media) appropriately in a digital society?

Ritti, M. (2012). Copyright [Online image]. Retrieved from http://www.lexisnexis.com/legalnewsroom/litigation/b/litigation-blog/archive/2012/04/06/safe-harbor-ruling-vacated-in-1-billion-youtube-copyright-case.aspx.

This week, I learned incredibly valuable information about copyright laws and practices, which is a key element of digital responsibility. There is a lot of information that users should be aware of before deciding to use others'  images and media in their work.

Copyright laws establish ownership, and copyright infringement is a serious issue and may result in legal action (2Learn.ca Educational Society, 2011-2012). According to Burt (2011), uploading others' contents without the creator's permission is copyright infringement, and publicly displaying that media without permission can lead to legal action. On Youtube, users will get strikes and will be permanently banned if they repeatedly break the rules. When we create any sort of work, we automatically own an all rights reserved label to protect our creativity against people using it when we don't want them to (Lessig, 2006).

Fair dealing, on the other hand, addresses the exceptions that allow limited non-commercial use of others' work for specific purposes. Fair dealing is important because it facilities creativity, and allows individuals to access and use others' work. It eases some of the many restrictions copyright act enforces (2Learn.ca Educational Society, 2011-2012). There are 2 major kinds of exceptions when considering the use of copyrighted material without permission or a license, according to Mediasmarts.com (n.d.). First, these materials can be used for research, private study, criticism or review, news reporting, parody, satire or eduction. Second, factors including character of dealing, amount of dealing, alternatives available, nature of the work, and effect of dealing on work are considered. We are allowed to use excerpts from work, use material from internet for educational purposes, modify copyrighted works, and can remix copyrighted works for educational purposes, but sources must be acknowledged (Mediasmarts.com, n.d.).

Randell, J. (2008). Creative Commone Logo. Retrieved from http://blogs.nyu.edu/blogs/gc69/stdin/2008/10/hacking_free_software_open_sou_1.html.

Nonetheless, it cannot be denied that  copyright laws can be too restrictive. When people want people to use others images and build upon them without asking the creator, whether the item has a Creative Commons  license should be considered. These free copyright laws allows us to tell others which parts of our work are free to be given to public, and are very easy to use - we just go to the website and directly apply for the license (Lessig, 2006). According to Sites2See (2012), creative commons allows creators of original works to specify how they are used, expanding what is available to users. As long as creators are properly acknowledged, the use of these images are okay. There are many sites we can use to find these copyright-free sources, including a search on the Creative Commons website. Surprisingly, we can also identify these images using Google's advanced search.


Are you able to connect one or more items from your Feedly Reader to your learning?
This week, I was able to identify an article that discussed the importance of updating current copyright laws (The Times Editorial Board, 2014, http://www.latimes.com/opinion/editorials/la-ed-copyright-online-piracy-20140324,0,2384647.story#axzz2x0wbIEWr). According to this article, the American Congress hasn't updated the rules since 1998, so they argue that these laws are not appropriate to the current state of online content use. In my opinion, copyright laws should be constantly under consideration for change and fixing, as everyday, more and more tools are available to us that changes how ideas, images, and videos are used online.


References: 
MediaSmarts.com (n.d.). Fair dealing for media education. Available from http://mediasmarts.ca/intellectual-property/fair-dealing-media-education

The 2Learn.ca Educational Society. (2011-2012 ). Your Digital Presence. Available at http://www.2learn.ca/ydp/copyrightabout.aspx 

Sites2See. (2012). Copyright for Students (resource page). Available athttp://lrrpublic.cli.det.nsw.edu.au/lrrSecure/Sites/LRRView/8587/

Burt, R. (2011). Teaching Students About Copyright - the YouTube Way. http://youtu.be/InzDjH1-9Ns

Lessig. (2006). Wanna Work Together? If you cannot view the video, go to http://youtu.be/P3rksT1q4eg