Blurts

We have been exploring the potential of gps-enabled digital cameras and such cameras would seem to be useful in educational projects. I just noticed a review for another camera of this type. I have not had a hands-on with the Samsung entry in this space, but I would not want my past posts to limit the search of those who find such technology appealing.

BTW – I understand $400 is not exactly what some regard as inexpensive. However, try a search for gps-enabled SLRs and you will understand my classification system.

Exceptions for instructors offers a tool intended to guide educators in making fair use decisions. Every time I encounter such a tool or a source of information for educators I try to read carefully to determine whether fair use covers content posted to the open Internet, i.e., content that could potentially be viewed by anyone and not just students in a given class. My view on this matter is probably regarded as restrictive by many. In considering the situations that conern me, the site concludes:

Your use does not meet the requirements of Section 110(2) of U.S. Copyright Law (also known as the TEACH Act), exempting it from requiring the permission of the copyright holder. [go to law]

However, your use may still be covered by Fair Use (Section 107). For more information on Fair Use, visit one or more of the resources listed below:

It is the lack of resolution and specificity that is the problem. This tool, like so many resources, restates the obvious and fails to be helpful in those areas where educators need help. For example, I understand the concept of “criticism” – one can provide an example in order to critique that example (my language), but in my opinion most instruction uses the information of others as information and not the focus of critique. if I scan and offer a biology textbook image, I am really claiming “this is what the golgi body” looks like, I am not critiquing the author’s claim that this is the golgi body.

Note to self (and anyone else who keeps resources in the cloud) – there is a very useful LifeHacker post offering techniques to back up different collections you have stored in the cloud. I am presently downloading my Flickr collection just to see if I can. Flickrtouchr is a python script – use the terminal to create a folder (locate in the Home directory on your mac), place the python script in the home directory, call script from terminal. I will delete the folder, but I will likely repeat from a computer I want to use to keep these images.

Lawsuit contests Microsoft basing Word on XML technology. Judge rules in favor of complaint.

ZDNet offers an interpretation.

This tutorial from MacWorld on taking pictures in low light conditions with your digital camera.

This Chronicle of Higher Ed article contends teens don’t teach. Twitter is not the way to reach prospective students.

Just had this discussion with our niece last weekend (HS senior next year). She thought Twitter was a possibility because everything else she uses was blocked at school.