Is everyone a criminal?

After watching the documentary Good Copy Bad Copy and discussing as a class we have alot of questions. The amount of money lost is staggering. Based on the Record Industry Association of America $12.5 billion dollars has been lost due to piracy. Should the music industry continue to crack down on illegal downloading? How should copyright laws be amended to account for new technologies? Can you think of alternatives?

Cell Phones in the Classroom: Asking for Trouble or Opening Doors to Learning?

New advancements in technology have brought about many questions for educators. It has been a challenge to balance the need to take advantage of the many new technologies and keep students engaged, while at the same time making sure to prevent unnecessary distractions and misuse of expensive "gadgets." Cell phones, especially the most recent generation of web enabled phones, are one tool that can generate both positive and negative reactions from educators. An article written in Business Week last spring discusses the educational potential of cell phone use in the classroom. The author points to "smart phones" such as the iPhone that can provide students with easy access to the web, email and various educational tools. Some colleges and universities are even developing tools that will allow students to use web enabled phones to schedule classes and keep informed about happenings on campus. Because so many people have cell phones already and the number of iPhone users is expected to continue to grow, those in the software industry are paying close attention. The fact that these phones are so much cheaper than laptops is another reason many think they are the perfect tool for the classroom.
There are, of course, negative aspects of cell phone use in the classroom. In an article used by Drew for his current event summary, the idea that iPhones have made it easier for students to cheat is discussed. The author points out the many ways that students can use their web enabled phones to pass answers, look up answers, translate for language tests, etc. How can educators combat this?
Cheating is most certainly a major problem and is something that needs to be addressed. Educators, however, must consider the benefits and try to find ways to work with these tools. Rather than simply banning phones in classrooms should educators embrace them and work with students to prevent cheating and foster ethical behavior?

Combatting Plagiarism

The battle over cheating and plagiarism is most certainly not a new one. Technology, however, and the increasing pressure placed on students to succeed, seems to have put the spotlight directly on plagiarism and how to combat it. An article published last spring by Time Magazine discusses the sometimes controversial use of plagiarism detection sites such as Turnitin.com. Many teachers use this site as a way to determine whether or not a student has plagiarized a paper. According to the article, some students feel that this indicates a lack of trust between teacher and student. Is an "honor code" or a school wide directive against cheating enough to keep students honest?
In an article published in USA Today, Michael Josephson, of the Josephson Institute who recently conducted a survey on cheating and stealing, feels that society and schools are not doing enough to combat dishonest behavior. He feels that "most Americans are too blase about ethical shortcomings among young people and in society at large."
In a world where corporate corruption is pervasive, are our students being taught how to make the right decisions even when it is so easy to make the wrong ones? Does technology make it easier to cheat? Are students more likely to cheat because technology provides them with so many ways to do so? Should schools be doing more to educate students about plagiarism and ethics in technology? Do students have a different idea of what constitutes cheating?

My Point of Perspective on Music Downloads

When I think about the idea of free music downloads, at first thought it is great, but looking deeper I see reason for concern. Downloading music from the Internet is a great convenience but in my opinion wrong if the downloads are not paid for. I think that music from sources like itunes are legitimate business and customers at times take advantage of that privilege when they steal the music without paying. The creators of those resources made music available for the artists to bring their music to more people and spread it to the corners of the globe not to take away form. These sources are not there to take away from the artist with free music downloads. Free downloading sources such as limewire, are killing the music industry. Eventually these sources will destroy the recording industry and groups will make money only on their tours and their concerts. As CD's and their album sales fall to even lower sales than they are today. With people downloading these products for free, it is stealing and eventually the artists will not be able to make any more music and will disappear. If I were a music artist I would be almost disgusted with my listeners because they want to listen to my music but without paying me for producing it.

Free Music Downloads-How they Affect Everyone in the Music Industry

About 15 years ago music was only available in stores. People would go into stores and buy CDs for themselves, for someone’s birthday, or maybe even to support some music artists’ career. CDs used to be very popular and in demand a couple of years ago, but Web 2.0 changed all of that. Free music downloads are now available all over the Internet. People either copy the CD and sell it back to the public, or they copy it for themselves from someone else and just make it available over the internet to anyone who wants it. Sites such as YouTube and MySpace have made music downloads available to people everywhere. Whether people care or not, downloading music is illegal and it is wrong. Music artists get paid for their music. According to RIAA “When you go online and download songs without permission, you are stealing. The illegal downloading of music is just as wrong as shoplifting from a local convenience store – and the impact on those who create music and bring it to fans is equally devastating.” People need to remember that when you don’t pay for the music you download, more than just the singer is affected. Other employees like song writers and sound engineers also lose income. Eventually music that is sold in stores will no longer be necessary. Every album will be on the internet. Free music downloads are just about the same as online newspapers. If you have free music downloads and free online newspapers then why go buy them. You have all the information literally right at your fingertips.

How do you feel about free music downloads? Do you feel as though they are killing the music industry or do you like the idea of free music downloads and feel as though they should be legal? You be the judge of that. How do you think that the music industry and music artists feel about all of their hard work being downloaded for free? How do you feel about all of their hard work being downloaded for free? How do you think that they get paid and how do you think they that essentially have money to survive and keep living? What role does Free Music Downloading play in your life? Are you related to this issue and personally what will you make of it?

Loren