Digital Signposts

Measuring the Educational Value of Digital Resources

Image (background) credit: Mockney Rebel   CC Licence: BY-NC-2.0

I have been thinking about the value the educational community and learners gain from using digital resources, especially those targeted for educational.  In the visualisation above, I  have extrapolated, which possible  actions or behaviours by educators might be of most benefit for learners, (and other educators). You may wish to suggest others in the comments, or even disagree with the model; I would really welcome your thoughts and feedback on this.

How one can use a resource will be determined by the terms and conditions of the resource's licence.  The example below is typical of  licensing offered by many, (educational), content providers.  

The first two conditions, attribution and non commercial use, are fair, reasonable and make sense,  because they allow modification and remixing; but the last element precludes using the resource at anything other than an individual level, or at best within an institution. Such content may still have a great deal of value for an individual, but it stops there, as it cannot make full use of the educational affordances of digital technologies. Some other resources are even more restrictive; allowing no modifications,  their terms often state they can only be printed or used offline. These will have little or no value within a digital content ecosystem.

Whilst it is understandable that some content providers may wish to protect content they have created or acquired, this should be seen against the exponential growth of openly accessible resources; Wikipedia, YouTube, Science Commons and Encyclopedia of Life are just a some of the many examples. This past year has also seen clear move towards OER, (Open Educational Resources) with many initiatives  at both individual and institutional level. 

A number of potentially significant developments are taking  place, Khan Academy is planning to crowdsource resources created by teachers around the world and invite them  to add content to its portal  and make it available through the Khan Academy’s noncommercial public domain licence.  On another front, Pearson, one of the worlds largest educational content providers will make some of its content available  through an API which will  hopefully be developed as valuable educational materials as discussed  recently by John McLear.

 

Flickr & Getty - Predatory Moves or an Uneasy Alliance?

 
Image Credit: The Advocacy Project  CC Licence BY-NC-SA

I often need images to use in presentations or workshops, so one of my first ports of call is Flickr's advanced search  tool, to help find images with a suitable Creative Commons licence.  Earlier today, I was searching for images of schools and learning around the world, and found the stunning photograph which was exactly the image I was looking for. Checking the metadata I noticed the request by Getty Images to licence the image.

I had read about the Getty Images partnership with Flickr, but this is the first time I have seen it realised on a Flickr Page. What immediately concerned me was that the apparent request, from Getty was not just to licence one or two images, but to acquire the rights to the whole of the Advocacy Project photostream collection; currently standing at 8,989 images, all with a Creative Commons licences.

If the licensing, for this superb collection of high quality images, was transferred to Getty it would be a sad loss to Flickr and its community. However, it would be an even greater loss to all who share an interest in education, culture and humanitarian issues around the world.  It would deprive access to the collection and our ability to use and share the images and add to their substantial metadata and narratives. If you have not already come across these pictures, I would recommend taking some time to browse.

Subsequently, the images would no longer no longer show up on Flickr but re-appear on the Getty/Flickr [sic], page  as thumbnails c/w small watermarked preview and shopping basket. Getty's terms clearly state that owners of the image must re-licence them as All Rights Reserved.

I think it is fine that Photographers are able to submit their images to Getty for possible licensing, (although I don’t think the terms are too favourable: 20%-30% of Getty's sale price - depending on model); or Getty trying to licence images with an All Rights Reserved status. That is one thing, but to trawl Flickr in order to harvest collections that have been made accessible to the public under a CC licence, is a predatory move which should be strongly resisted. It is also worth noting that a CC licence cannot be revoked, so if you have downloaded a CC licensed image, from Flickr, that has subsequently been acquired by Getty, you are still perfectly entitled to use that image under the terms of the original licence.

I have sent a Flickrmail to the Advocacy Project outlining my concerns, and look forward to reading their thoughts. Obviously, Getty does offer payment therefore I am happy to make a contribution to the Advocacy Project fund for any images I use, (Indeed I already have done so). If we want to preserve our access to these and similar quality images then perhaps others might consider doing likewise.

Careful who you pick on, mate!

Image Credit" Picture Taker 2   CC licence

There may be some at  Core Projects & Technologies (UK) Ltd now beginning to feel the heat, as their mailboxes begin to fill up. UK, teacher and blogger extraordinaire Doug Belshaw has found it necessary to remove part of a post he made on his blog. The company deemed that his, (arguably), critical review of their product, the TALMOS Learning Platform, might be "potentially commercially damaging". They contacted his school and the rest is history.

Recalling the UK educational software industries role in the the recent BBC JAM debacle, I really wasn't that surprised that this might happen sooner or later. What did surprise me though was that, a commercial company, (marketing to schools) would choose to 'pick on' an individual teacher; a potential user. They really did not get the fact that Doug has a substantial, informed and influential, following in the blogosphere and the Twitterverse, which are already buzzing. Like the drunken heckler, at a late night comedy show, Core Projects & Technologies really didn't get that, the spotlight would inevitably be turned back on them. They didn't get that, Doug would receive support from around the the world, within  hours.

A rather disturbing aspect of this saga, is that although Doug did not mention his school or employer, anywhere on his personal blog, the company took it upon themselves, to trace and contact his school. One wonders how they managed to identify the school, or, as some suggest,  if any data protection laws might have been broken?

Being on the Becta Learning Platform Suppliers list one would have imagined that Core Projects & Technologies would have thought this through a bit more carefully. What will Becta will make of all this?  I don't suppose I'll be buying any shares in Core Projects, but will watch with interest to see how it all unfolds.

Scare tactics, or how (not) to treat your customers

image credit Sam Judson

With tactics not dissimilar to those used  by the Music Industry, it is not surprising one could get the impression that digital content providers work against the best interests of their potential customers or users. Using the medium of the BBC Education News pages this latest example could be seen as a deliberate attempt to scare schools about their use of digital images.

Whilst the 'advice' offered by Jean-Louise Green may be legally correct, she does not provide any constructive or positive suggestions as to how schools might review the way they use and access digital images; for example, there is no mention, of using  Creative Commons image search,  (currently with over 61 million images to choose from), or pointers to any of the excellent collections and other sources of digital images schools could draw upon.

Perhaps this is hardly surprising because, Jean-Louise also runs Picture Nation, an image library and brokering service, which sells images to schools at prices, that many  would consider, exorbitant, with restrictions on use and access. Is it a coincidence that this item appears at a time when schools have to seriously consider spending their elcs before the funding runs out in August?  Perhaps it is in the interests of content providers to try a create a climate of worry and uncertainty, and on the back this offer schools an easy, (and possibly expensive) option.

I believe, what could be more helpful to schools would be focussed CPD, workshops and communities of practice to help teachers and children use digital images and other digital assets legally and confidently . This is becoming an increasingly important element of digital literacy, and schools could benefit from exploring these issues in contexts that include, searching, tagging sharing and file formats, rather than a list of  rules. What they probably don't need is threats and warnings from Linda Macpherson, the lawyer quoted in the piece. Mmm... it is also interesting to note the close relationships between all the sources of input to the article.

"RIAA notice" image credit Wesley Fryer

Should we be worried?

Recently there has been a spate of developments related to fair use, copyright and the Internet. Whilst we know what to expect from the RIAA or  the British Music Industry closing down Pandora,  new and  dubious examples are appearing all the timel, for example; publishing pictures of  the Eiffel Tower at night (14,3222 photos currently on Flickr -a lot of lawsuits), whilst Ford are now trying to ban Mustang owners publishing photos of their own cars.

Similarly Prince, and,more recently; ,J K Rowling  seem determined to shut down some fan and discussions sites, apparently refusing to acknowledge that being the creator and owner of work does not give the right to stop others discussing, praising or criticising their work. If they are not careful they will either appear as selfish, greedy or both; which will be to the detriment of their undoubted talent and achievement, whilst alienating many of their followers.

Hot on the heels of all this nonsense Mattel (UK)  and Hasbro (Us & Canada) are joining in the fray, (they probably have a case).  The companies have sent  cease and desist letters to the developers of the Scrabulous application on Facebook; but surely they are just plain stupid for; a) not negotiating a deal or; b) building on the many opportunities for positive marketing.  Perhaps they don't understand the Internet is different and things will never be quite the same again. As I blog, the Save Scrabulous group on Facebook has increased within the last few hours to over 5,600, 7,340, 14,443. 15,678.

Well, just like waiting on a bus, we can only wonder what the next idiotic action will be, and how many of them will come along at the same time.

image credit Iona Sameli   

Its been a great week for Stupidity (1)

image credit: Rafael Penalozan

Several stories in the news this week stand out like a sore thumb, revealing  crass stupidity,  whilst, probably,  providing a quick earner for the lawyers and their acolytes.

Firstly, the  decision by the PRS (Performing Rights Society) to take Kwik Fit to court because music playing on the fitters' radios in the workshops could be heard, (thats what radios and music are for), by 'colleagues and customers'. The music was 'audibly blaring' from employee's radios.

The  statement issued by the PRS, really does nothing to restore their credibility, and neither does it address the scenario last Saturday, when I must confess, I painted my gate with the window open in order to hear music playing on my Mac in the street. Should  I now  sleep in fear as the PRS make themselves a laughing stock?

a few points and questions?

• is radio not a free to air service
• and surely the radio station already paid for this music in broadcast license fees?
• would the customers have been able to hear the music above the everyday din and clatter of the workshop, if it was 'blaring' could they distinguish songs and stations?
• and even if they did would customers be listening for the duration of a song?
• are the fitters really defrauding 'artists' of their rightful earnings?
• can radios now only be played in private?
• can you invite friends to listen to your radio?

Perhaps we should all go to the PRS offices and turn up our radios.  Or more realistically, support the artists that offer an alternative to this nonsense. Last night I paid,  a fair price) and downloaded the new Radiohead album, In Rainbows,  although I might not have bought their music previously, it is is playing on my iPod on the train as I write, RHD are £5.00 better off, and I am actually enjoying the tunes much more than I thought I would. Looks like there could be more to follow.

to be cont......

One Laptop Per Child - User Interface

Its good to see quite a bit more detail emerging about the OLPC , (One Laptop Per Child), project. I  showed this video, of the user interface, to our students on the Foundation Degree in Digital Media for Educators at the University of Hull. This generated  some deep discussion which soon expanded from user interfaces, to issues of accessibility, the digital divide, our roles as educators and how digital technologies may affect social control and democracy.

The interface itself, based on a user centered approached, seems stimulating  and intuitive. It has been designed to promote thinking, creation and collaboration using the  built-in connectivity and software. The focus of how the laptop will be used is activities rather than applications. I think this should send out a clear message to developers of educational ICT products. Some of the the, very positive, reactions from the students;  "brilliant", "I want this". " why can't we have this in our schools?"  Many of these questions and issues are addressed on OLPC  wiki.

Lets hope this project succeeds and becomes a reality, worldwide. Although India has recently declined to participate, Rwanda has committed to the project with plans for a million. An update on the projects progress can be found here on the OLPC website.

Help save the BBC...

Image credit, Eyedropper  CC

...from, Microsoft and itself?  I am pleased to be able to pass on this warning, received via Euan Semple.  Are you happy with the following?

"The BBC Executive proposes a digital rights management solution which would require consumers to be using Windows XP (or above) and Windows Media Player 10 (or above) to be able to access seven-day TV catch-up over the internet."

If these proposals from the BBC's On Demand, Public Value Test report  (pdf download), concern you; then please take a few minutes to respond to the online consultation here (especially Q5) about the On Demand service, and the proposed BBC iPlayer. (Wonder where they got the i from?

The document also raises issues of ownership and accountability. These were clearly highlighted by Sam Nelson, Computer Science, Stirling University and he has been kind enough to allow me to quote from his posts to a JISC newsgroup:

"If there isn't an open standard good enough yet, the BBC should put the whole thing off until there is.  Any on-demand content they produce now needs to be entirely accessible in several decades' time using methods we haven't even thought of yet. 

"it's barely a generation since it was OK to wipe and reuse master tapes of programmes after broadcast.  What will we fail to foresee this time?  Are we going to make that sort of mistake again?  This stuff is part of who we all are, whether we like any of it or not, and we shouldn't be handing over any element of control over it to any commercial concern."

There is a glimmer of  hope on the horizon, in the  PVT report, the Market Impact Assessment by Ofcom states:

"A platform-agnostic approach (i.e. not reliant exclusively on Microsoft’s DRM solution) would lessen the adverse impact of the proposals on the market for media player and DRM software and would increase the consumer benefit.

and also:

"We propose to require the BBC Executive to adopt a platform-agnostic approach to rights management within a reasonable timeframe. The MIA notes an expectation that the BBC Executive plans to develop a Real Player alternative in the near future. Our understanding is that the BBC Executive aspires to offer an alternative DRM framework, which would enable Apple and Linux users to access the service, but has yet to identify a satisfactory solution. In either case, we will expect this to have been addressed within 24 months.

Whilst the above is to be welcomed, the reliance on DRM is of great concern, as is the proposal of the Executive to develop an alternative based on the media player from hell.

The BBC is one of our greatest national assets and is of world significance.  Recently it has made great strides in the provision of digital assets, such as the pilot of the Creative Archive. It is vital that this status is not undermined by those who have no real interest in our cultural archives and promote restrictive digital practices. After all it's us wot pays the licence, guv.

Watch Out!

Sharks about...

Recently, there have been rumblings and mutterings in the press, and from opposition politicians, arguing that the BBC is overstepping itself in the provison of the digital resources and services it offers.

George Osborne, the Shadow Chancellor, will suggest that the BBC should be blocked from dominating online and local media in order to safeguard independent innovators who cannot get a foothold.

Mr Osborne will build on the warning from his leader David Cameron last week that “we need to look at ways of making sure that the BBC doesn’t overextend itself”.

The argument seems to be that the BBC is giving away free content (at license payers expense), creating a  digital network and resources that the private sector can't compete with in terms of qaulity, and are going out of business as a result.

Osborne's tactics are to emotively equate the licence with tax, and promote the assumption that TV licence payers are all of one mind,  content with a diet of  bread and circus broadcasting that includes; home makeovers, celebrity gossip and a whole genre of confrontational broadcasting such as Big Brother. Anyway  Rupert Murdoch (another complainant) seems to be doing quite well with MySpace...

What Osborne, Cameron and the press don't seem to have realised is:

• Broadcasting these days is digital.
• Digital media is changing the nature of the market for media.
• Anyone can produce digital content  today, a fact that the BBC are well aware of and addressing positively.

Osborne continues

As new forms of media develop, I believe that the BBC must be very careful about not abusing its privileged position and huge resources to crowd out smaller players

Digital technologies (can) allow everyone to participate in broadcast and media. I suspect what he means is, that it is not as easy for the 'get rich quick merchants' to have sole control of the media distribution and production. He includes education as an example where business and ventures have been affected. However the smaller players' with a real interest in education are beginning to have a (positive) transformational of education

So, as a licence payer, I say - enough of the bread and circuses, lets have some quality digital content, the BBC is happy to work with us, let's work with them.