It was actually SO freeing to read this
book! And so timely, I might add. I
felt so empowered, yet my heart raced this past weekend on my way up to Jersey
for a family trip. I ALWAYS make family trips educational and this one
was no different. We stopped at
Washington’s Crossing Park in Pennsylvania.
There is a very small museum and very large rock commemorating
Washington’s crossing of the Delaware on the night of December 24, 1776.
Beautifully maintained grounds! We
arrived just after the start of a 15 minute documentary. I waited until the next showing...I want to
see every last scene...so we toured the museum.
Or at least I did, the 5 and 7 year olds could have cared less. Thank goodness for an understanding
husband! So 25 minutes later I plopped down into a comfy seat in their
very large auditorium and waited for the “ranger” to push play on the small
television. But before he did, I asked
“Do you mind if I video this...copyright and all?” He was appalled that would
ask such a question; it was deplorable that I had asked such a question in
fact. In my shaky voice after just a couple chapters into Copyright
Clarity I said, “Well I’m reading about fair use and how it pertains to
situations like this. No problem.”
In that instance I meant “no problem, I wouldn’t video it” for fear of
being in the wrong. But the second he walked out of the room, my camera
was up and videoing the short film.
(Much to my disappointment, the video sucked and it isn’t something I’d
want to show my class anyway.) But it really got me thinking and I’d like
to know what you think.
If the video wasn’t in the gift shop for
purchase...I checked...is this something that I could show my students for
background building purposes? I can’t take them on a field trip
there. My purpose I would assume is similar
(educating my students as they were educating visitors), the nature is the
same, and I would have probably shown the whole video. I’ve done similar
things at the Gettysburg Museum. Again,
I look at it as building background knowledge because it’s in a format that
students connect to -- its visual! And not MY voice narrating it!
If good conversation/discussion follows, am I in the clear? It’s not
transformative as far as I can tell, but I think based on Dawn’s lecture
tonight, showing the video is an affordance winner. I can’t recreate the
battle, but the video can.
Thoughts?
On another front, the sister-in-law I went to
visit in Jersey is also a teacher (formerly of FCPS). We started talking
about this issue. At the high
school/college where she teaches, she was told they couldn’t use anything that
was copyrighted. She teaches sports medicine; she and her colleagues were
trying to locate a picture of a skeleton that students could label for an
exam. They couldn’t find anything
sophisticated enough that wasn’t copyrighted, so they ditched the questions
they wanted to ask. I think we all understand this frustration. I can’t wait to lend her the book...and I
can’t wait to have a conversation with my very open minded STBS. (I mean that sincerely. He’s great!)
On that note, I’m looking for some ideas that
might be transformative. I teach social studies, anybody got one? I thought about having kids search pictures
of historical times that we had studied and modern times and having them find
connections in some way. Or matching a historical picture to a modern day
song and explain why. What ideas popped
in your head as you read the book? What
will bring learning to life in your world?
Well, I for one think that if the documentary you saw could have been used for learning in your classroom then you should be able to use it. Too bad your attempt didn't turn out well and the gift shop didn't have it. I did discover a Friends of Washington Crossing Park Youtube channel that has several videos on it. Perhaps one of them is the one you seek? Not sure how to embed links in these comments, but you can copy and paste this: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsiZq3jewGunh1K8FAjeUVQ
ReplyDeleteWhat about repurposing the video for use in your classroom? Could your students create a video about George Washington crossing the Delaware? I am thinking of having my second graders create a pecha kucha on weather. They can work collaboratively to create their scripts and find pictures on the common sense images to add.
ReplyDeleteThe video on Copyright Clarity and Fair Use gave a lot of good examples and it helped me understand it a little better.
What about a Socratic Seminar? Another idea that I used with VA History was to have a tea party in small groups of students become certain historical figures who discuss their roles in their time period.
I have been up to my eyeballs in copyright!! Not sure if I am getting this yet OR just more confused. But I would like to share my thoughts on your museum experience looking at all 4 factors. 1. nature of the use= you were going to use it for educational purposes (check), 2. nature of the work=a video (check) 3. extent of the use = all of it (check) 4. economic impact = none since you could not find it to purchase it (check)
ReplyDeleteI believe that since you were going to use it only for your class you were using it under the fair use. Also I am sure you told your class where you had been and that you wanted to share what you learned from them and had a video to show them. Your example was not transformative but and example of using something for education under fair use.
I hope that your sis-in-law will be able to find great information with the book and what I find talking with more and more people is that groups are on the extreme ends - either being too restrictive OR letting it be a free for all.
Idea for transformative in social studies: have you thought about using green screen for either still pictures or making a video and having students share about what is going on with the picture and time period. There are LOTS of great primary sources that you can use at the library of congress. I have seen many examples of this type of project.
ReplyDeleteIt is evident that the person who said, "no" doesn't know much about copyright and fair use. I do believe that recording that film was okay. You were using it for educational purposes and the gift shop wasn't selling it. I would have done the same thing, especially after reading Copyright Clarity!
ReplyDelete