The Leader Within Me

 A Full Sail 'Red Carpet' Moment

Thank you for visiting. It’s nice to see you and talk awhile before graduation. I feel very fortunate that our Master's Degree class group is so diverse and talented. It has pushed me to strive to an even higher level and I have some exciting news to share. I am going to submit applications to become a presenter for educational conferences this year. I have previously been a speaker at FETC and other conferences, but now I will have a Master’s Degree. Thank you for the different viewpoints and opinions that you have offered throughout the program and thank you also for your encouragement along this journey.  I truly believe that the most important element I have to offer in my new Leadership role, it that I now understand the ‘Power’ of Online Education. What a force it has and potential to change the world of education. I am now a believer and that each teacher in the program for helping mold our minds and guide us through each activity. They showed the power of being a facilitator of education and letting the students take over to invent solutions each day. I feel entirely prepared to launch and present with a newfound skill set – ‘Online Education.’

The Art of Possibilities - Chapter 1 to 4

Our MAC course textbook, 'The Art of Possibilities,' is one of those rare books that pulls you in and makes you smile at least once every page. Can you imagine the conversations that must occur around the authors', Rosamund and Benjamin Zander’s supper table?! I want to fall into any one of these conversations. This book takes my brain on a journey somewhat like the book, ‘A Whack On The Side Of The Head.’ Every page had possibilities – never roadblocks. The book's perspective of people like Picasso, unveiled limitless options all based on perception. So is it good to be limitless in thought? Well, you may be in the minority and you are probably highly misunderstood. The truth is that the world is not ready for 'infinite' thinkers and people cannot jump from a level 10 to a level 50 right away. It takes one-step level at a time, and then some comfort time with that level before the mind can accept moving up one more level. So how do we get to the top level of possibilities? I am planning to just invite myself over to the Zander’s house. When they find out I’m in month 11 of EMDT at Full Sail, they will want to hear how amazing it is. Hey, I'll do anything for a free supper! The 'Possibilities' are endless!

Response to my classmate, Kimberly's Copyright Blog

Photo From Kimberly Duran's Blog Site 

Week 1: MAC Reading Post by Kimberly Duran (My response is below)

Copyright issues, and why ‘I’m’ scared!!

Wow, so plagiarism and copyright issues has become something of a topic on campus at my school. Trying to teach the children about these topics has become somewhat of a challenging task, and now that I've seen the copyright videos, I'm not sure whether I'm more or less comfortable with what I've shared with my students so far and how to continue on.

The duration of copyright was somewhat news to me, I've always wondered once something has been copyrighted, how long does this actually last for? This is a question that I actually have been asked by my students, so it's nice to have a definitive answer now.

It seemed to me at first that there was a lot of elasticity to the whole idea of fair use. However, after hearing our instructor's explanation of it and it's "narrow loophole" i began to understand it much better. The use of the cartoon movie to explain it was extremely helpful, once I was halfway through it I felt as though I really had a grasp on the concept. Creative ways to teach these types of ideas makes all the difference in the world to me. And who doesn't love Disney movies?!?

Creative Commons was taught to me early on in this degree program. I guess I have used it in the past, but never realized that there was actually a name behind the practice. I think it's a great way to be able use materials and also pay homage to the person who created it through giving them credit.


My Response: 

Hi Kimberly!

Your students are very lucky to have you as their instructor!! Thank you for sharing and going over the details of copyright$. Have them all say $200 per hour and in some cases $500 per hour for entertainment attorneys fees. Copyrights matter, especially when it comes to recognition and money. I agree with you regarding the Creative Commons explanations in this activity. That was very valuable information that I will use with more confidence now. There is so much fine print in all these legal clauses. I was glad to hear the explanation of how the creators of the copyright video got away with using Disney movies! That was incredible creativity. Even my children stopped playing video games to see that video. I’m sure they watched it because of the ingenuity and not because it happened to have pieces of all of all their ‘favorite’ movies! I would like to have been a fly on the wall in the Disney boardroom when that video was discovered. I wonder what they said? Hey, after graduation we will be creating big projects like this!!

Response to my classmate, Dorreen's Copyright Blog

CoPyRiGhT

MAC_Week 1: Reading Reflection by Dorreen Petersen Davis (My response is below)

Copyright is something that I am directly faced with daily as I am a Graphic Designer and I teach Graphic Design. Since the first year students are concentrating so much on learning the programs and the elements of design they have a tendency to find images anywhere that belongs with their design concept. We constantly tell them to use images they get off Getty (they can download 60 high resolution images a quarter with our license), take their own or find them on another free image site. No matter what we require them to site the artist and location. The last couple of quarters I have told them about Creative Commons.  Our librarians told us about it for us to use for our lectures but it is good for our students as well.

Listening to all of the videos I start to think oh, okay I understand, what they are saying makes since; then I go huh, I don’ t get it. The fair use in copyright is so gray. I get the limits of use and even the conditions make sense when they are discussed but then when you go to use it everything gets fuzzy. The main feeling I get from all the videos is that the world of copyright, as we now if from 10-15 years ago, is in flux and no one really knows what will happen and how it will end up.  The Larry Lessig video really made it clear on what is happening now with copyright compared to what other revolutionary inventions faced.

The Shepard Fairey case is very interesting to me because that is in my area of expertise.  We constantly hear that you can use something as long as you change it 30%. He took a photo and totally changed it by using a different medium, yet according to AP it was an exact copy. However, I think the issue is that he made a profit from his artwork. As I read the articles on this issue it seems he got in more trouble not admitting which photo he used then using the photo itself. Also the photographer is saying that Fairey should have asked him for the permission instead of AP — what a can of worms.

So here is my ending question:  Is copyright different than copyright licenses?

My response to Dorreen:

Hi Dorreen!

You are an amazing graphic artist, so I understand how your world is filled with copyrightable issues every micro-second… ok, pico-second! The creative world is truly in flux and thank goodness for companies like Disney who enforce the laws so well that it gives everyone else hope to know that protection still works well in certain areas. The Copyright cartoon with Disney clips made me think of you – graphical geniusness. Do you teach your students about copyrights? That seems like a valid issue that students could be made aware of in your world. The younger we educate people on this issue, then maybe we can regain our moral bearing to protect each other more. Your final question is very inquisitive. The copyright owner, holds all rights and can give other people a license to use their work for a certain price, time, and conditions. I don’t give legal advice though!!

My response to classmate, Jermaine Evans’s Copyright Post

Photo from Dr. Bustillos Week 1 Blog Info resource

This was Jermaine's copyright post. (My response is below)

http://jevans80mac.wordpress.com/2012/03/04/copyrights/

Copyrights are the exclusive legal right, given to an originator or an assignee to print, publish, perform, film, or record literary or artistic. There are several myths and facts about copyrights and copyrighting. One major fact is you must first ask for permission before using copyrighted material in your new project. When someone owns the copyright to something you have to give the creator visible credit in writing. If you do not remember to give proper credits you will not face a legal battle in most cases. It’s not likely someone will come knocking on your door. However, if you are generating a significant amount of money and popularity you will face fines and criminal charges. The main purpose of copyrighting material is to protect the work and most importantly it is a marker which reflects who created what and when. Similar to a race, one would need to get their bid in first. For example, if two people are working on identical concepts the first one to copyright in D.C. wins. It is recommended to copyright all of your artistic and literary material. You can do so by visiting www.copyright.gov.

My response:

Hi Jermaine!

It sounds like you are very familiar with copyright issues. From your past class work and recordings, I saw that you are a very talented songwriter and musician. Your engineering skills are very smooth! That probably requires you to be aware of copyright laws more intently so you can protect your music. I appreciate your depth of understanding in your copyright blog and I like your analogy of the copyright race. We all need to prove our timestamp for our artistic creations. The web has helped make that a bit easier; however, I still believe in the power of the U.S. Copyright office. I submit my materials to them so that everything gets a registration number. I think that there is no enforceable protection until legitimate copyright registration has been obtained. Thank you for sharing the copyright office site link. I know that the new online filing system is significantly different than in the days when only physical paper registrations were made. I had submitted several of those and smile at the fact that technology has changed our world so much. Thanks for your inspiring blog post!!!

My Comment for Stephanie Waldner's Copyright Blog

                              Photo: http://emdtwaldner.blogspot.com/

MAC Week 1: Reading Entry-Copyright Issues Posted by Stephanie Waldner (my response is below)

http://emdtwaldner.blogspot.com/2012/03/mac-week-1-reading-entry-copyright.html 

After watching all the videos, I'm not sure if I feel more reassured or more frightened about copyright.  "Fair Use" seems like a very slippery slope.  Watching the Fair(y) Use Tale was a little headache provoking at the beginning, but once I focused on the words and not the images, I got the gist of the video.  The short clips used as a teachable movie…very neat way to show what falls under fair use. Being from Florida, near Disney World, I have heard many stories on the news about Disney copyright.  

The Creative Commons licensing is pretty awesome.  We did have to use them earlier in the program, but I've not really used them since.  I know from watching a few of my classmates’ projects/assignments, which they have continued to use the Creative Commons.  

The other video that really stood out for me was the one about the history that won’t be shown because of copyright law.  I believe the saying is, Those whom do not understand history are doomed to repeat it.  How sad is it that something as silly as money would keep such important events in our history from public view?

My Comment for classmate, Stephanie Waldner's post:

Hi Stephanie!

You have brought up some excellent issues in your post. You actually ‘say’ what we all probably are thinking when you mentioned, “…after seeing the videos, are we more reassured or frightened about copyrights?” The Ted Talk with Larry Lessig, really strengthened the uneasiness when he ended by saying most of the young generation today have become somewhat of rebellious pirates. There is a growing extremism almost in equal opposition to the old governmental extremism. Larry’s point is interesting because I can’t believe how many people today now give incredibly valuable copyrightable material away for free online. It is almost a mentality of, “What is in my brain is free, and what is in your brain is free.” Surprisingly, I found in doing my CBR Literature Review, that research papers are still highly protected in our educational world. They have found a way to isolate their papers from free download by requiring paid site memberships to see the papers. I’m glad that ‘research smart’ people are still using their brains to make money! Great job in your post. You have lured new thoughts out of my mind. Say, I heard that means you may have some rights to my thoughts!!!

The Leader of Leaders!

What leader do I respect and wish to follow? Wow, what a question. One name instantly absorbed my thoughts. This Person has more care and power in each word they speak, than any other person I have met. This Leader is so caring, that their world stops, so that your world becomes his for those few moments you get with him. This Leader has become world-renowned and has spoken for several of the most influential conferences in our nation this past year. He won Florida IT Leader of the Year in 2011. This Leader knows the power of grace when needed and he continues to foster the champion within each of his uniquely gifted staff. This Leader is keenly aware of nuances that no other, notices. This Leader has more alumni ask how HE is than any other person in our educational institution. In fact this Leader is so impacting that if you look in the Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, and Online Dictionary for the word ‘Leader’, there is a colored, glossy, 8”x10”, embossed photo of him next to the definition. I was at a party a year ago and a truck showed up to deliver ice for our special event and this Leader happened to randomly be walking into the event also. He started carrying ice bags because he knew his staff would prefer 'chilled' beverages. I know this, because I was right next to him carrying the other ice bags. This Leader will walk up to a group of our students and say, “How are you, good Buddy’s?” And when they respond, he listens to them like they are the most important people in the world. And then he will often ‘Treat’ them to whatever is being sold nearest to where they all are standing. I have seen him buy beverages, books, bicycles, and even incredible matching shirts for staff members so we all matched at a party at Universal Studios! - the list is extensive and always heartfelt. This Leader sets the highest standard of love and care for people. This Leader I am talking about is someone that I have had the privilege of knowing for 23 years at Full Sail University, because it is our amazing 'President Jones.' When you meet him, it is instantaneously recognizable that your life has been changed for the better.