Digital Media and Adding photos

Here is a picture of erickson hall by: Joe Freidhoff













Today was a really helpful class in explaining copyright and how to use creative commons and the proper way of adding a picture with attributions and links back to the original source. I really like the use of flickr and flickrcc to search for images and pictures in a way to know that they are safe to use. Also, the use of licensing your work through creative commons is important so other people can use your work.

I really like the google maps too. It's a great way to get a real image of where you are going or might go. It is great for people who use landmark directions, or people who know street names. I love the idea of using it in the classroom on certain units and having students find places that we use on that unit or book. This way the kids are getting involved directly to the assignment and with what they are learning. Google earth is also fun to play around with and use for students to see what is happening around the world or places around the globe. Plus it is fun for the kids to use and a great learning tool!

Adding images and making sure people receive the credit for their work will be very beneficial to my students. I didn't even know that anything off of google images or any other such search, that the images were all rights reserved. This means that I will have to make sure to make my students well aware of this and also for them to know that their work is reserved to only them unless they decide to change it. It is very important for them to use pictures they are allowed to use. I would ask them that if they published something on the web, if they would want just anyone using it, if they did not provide permission for them to be able to use it.

The challenges that exist to help students think of the use of images more critically is that it is so much easier to use pictures or download pictures. It is so common to just copy and paste an image. Many do not think that copying and pasting an image is the same as illegally downloading music. Plus it is sometimes harder for someone who is very fluent with computers to download music, but you do not need much computer experience to use an image from the web. Also, using images doesn't necessarily get the press as other illegal downloads or uses from the internet. If there is a lack of exposure or evidence, then it is not brought to the children's attention.

I will make sure to explain to my class that they have to provide the link and the credit where they get pictures. I think flickr cc is an excellent source to get images from, because you can use the images that fit into your criteria.