Doing the Wrong Thing Is So Much Easier…but it’s Still WRONG!

This week’s activity pertaining to fair use of information and media found online reminded me of an incident that happened in my math class a few semesters ago. For one of my class projects, I overheard (no, actually I was eavesdropping) one of my student skim the statement “the content of this site cannot be used without written consent…” and respond, “Man, [I ain’t] writing them for permission;” he proceeded to copy an image and a description, without any citation, and submit it to me. The next day, I returned the project to him, circling the questionable area with a message that read: “I contacted the web-designer from which this content belongs and he said he never authorized you to use this…you should’ve written him for permission;” a substantial amount of points were deducted and he was directed to receive the written permission to reinstate those points. Now of course, I didn’t really contact the author (that was a “teacher lie”) but I thought it was indeed a teachable moment on valuing the intellectual property of others. If only he would have assumed the responsibility and taken the extra time to seek permission and/or cite his finding, this incident would have been avoided. I then made it my business to share this happening with his class and other classes so they would be informed of the possible repercussions of misusing info found online (yes, I’m that kind of teacher :-/).

Back Into the Swing of Things

It's that time of year again! The commencement of a new year always brings a sense of revival to my spirits and my endeavors. This year, that sense has been magnified because of the following: new baby (she's CRAZY to the 10th power), new house (first-time homeowner...YIKES!), and of course THE FINAL COURSE TOWARDS MY MASTERS (#POW)! Not to mention a new part-time job and enrollment at a community college for my medical assisting certification (you guys know I'm obsessed with staying busy..."an idle mind is the devil's playground" and I know that oh too well o_O).  But anywho, I'm beyond stoked about ECI 719! I can honestly say that I've grown academically and professionally due to this IT program. In the past year, I've become that go-to-gal for several of my colleagues' technology/tech-integration needs (too bad my paycheck doesn't reflect that :-/). It's such a rewarding feeling to apply techniques gathered from my studies to benefit teachers, students and community members. I look forward to even more growth as a result of this course and the sharing/learning with my fellow classmates. So in the words  and spirit of the Black Eyed Peas "LET'S GET IT STARTED!"