I stumbled upon information about Creative Commons licenses while researching a non-profit organization called LibriVox that provides free audiobooks from the public domain. I didn’t immediately see the connection to the classroom. However, it has since become very clear to me that any time I encourage students to create or post anything that they have created on-line, there seems to be a responsibility (or opportunity) on my part to talk to them about Creative Commons licences, copyright, and the public domain. I am a Visual Arts Ed., Computer Science, and English teacher. The common thread for me between these different areas of study is the creative process. In each of my classes, students are creating, most of the time. As creative individuals, especially of a generation who have ‘Grown up On-line’, it is very important to have a knowledge of what controls and freedoms can be given to the property that they create.
More information about Creative Commons licences, the public domain, and copyright can be found here. I highly recommend watching the short video clip at the bottom of the page.
P.S.: Check out LibriVox, it has thousands of recorded audiobooks like this one: The Machine Stops by E.M. Forster
As and English teacher, the whole idea that so much great literature is part of the public domain has really made me stop and rethink some of the things I am doing in my classroom.
Filed under: E.C.& I. 831
