Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less."
Marie Curie
This weeks materials were an excellent overview on Open Educational Resources (OER). I found many questions and had the opportunity to see things that are part of my everyday life from a different point of view.
In a world driven by profit it is interesting to think about concepts like open educational resources, democratization of digital technologies, free-access software, creative commons licenses, MOOCs, etcetera. We don't need to look too far to see how some public services like education and health care are dangerously flirting with privatization in order to become at least self sufficient if not profitable. How can we now be talking about open access? Lawrence Lessig TED talk "Laws that choke creativity" remind us that some concepts that were unthinkable once are now simply the way we live. Can we make this happen? What is the future of big text book publishing business? What are the new business models that will make these resources sustainable and profitable? Are we paying for these open access products in a different way? What about the quality of the resources?
Not that long ago in order to have access to a productivity suite like Microsoft Office we had to purchase a fairly expensive license, now we have highly efficient software for free! Google apps are really giving MS Office a run for their money. Who in their right mind will purchase an encyclopedia, a recipe book, etc? Almost all of the information we need is available online mostly for free ... because it is free, right?? Or, isn't it? How are these great corporations generating profit? Is it "open access" a two way street? I use your product you use my information?
Last week I watched a documentary called "Terms and Conditions May Apply". I must confess the documentary seemed a bit alarming for my taste but remind me the importance of questioning this great free products the same way I will question a stranger knocking on my door to give me money "just because". Among other things the documentary attempts to raise awareness about how our personal information, consumer preferences and personal connections are becoming almost as valuable as our money. I still remember the horrifying feeling when after comparing some products online I found tailored advertisements magically appearing on my Facebook page. How are we paying for all the open resources we enjoy? What is our responsibility as teachers when we ask our students to access open educational resources? But most importantly how can help my students to become savvy users of the great materials, resources and products available?
Magic Cookies
Source: AboutCookies.org
"The word 'cookie' comes from 'magic cookie,' a term in programming languages for a piece of information shared between co-operating pieces of software. The choice of the word cookie appears to come from the American tradition of giving and sharing edible cookies."
"What is the purpose of cookies?
Cookies make the interaction between users and web sites faster and easier. Without cookies, it would be very difficult for a web site to allow a visitor to fill up a shopping cart or to remember the user's preferences or registration details for a future visit.
Web sites use cookies mainly because they save time and make the browsing experience more efficient and enjoyable. Web sites often use cookies for the purposes of collecting demographic information about their users.
Cookies enable web sites to monitor their users' web surfing habits and profile them for marketing purposes (for example, to find out which products or services they are interested in and send them targeted advertisements)."
Marie Curie
This weeks materials were an excellent overview on Open Educational Resources (OER). I found many questions and had the opportunity to see things that are part of my everyday life from a different point of view.
In a world driven by profit it is interesting to think about concepts like open educational resources, democratization of digital technologies, free-access software, creative commons licenses, MOOCs, etcetera. We don't need to look too far to see how some public services like education and health care are dangerously flirting with privatization in order to become at least self sufficient if not profitable. How can we now be talking about open access? Lawrence Lessig TED talk "Laws that choke creativity" remind us that some concepts that were unthinkable once are now simply the way we live. Can we make this happen? What is the future of big text book publishing business? What are the new business models that will make these resources sustainable and profitable? Are we paying for these open access products in a different way? What about the quality of the resources?
Not that long ago in order to have access to a productivity suite like Microsoft Office we had to purchase a fairly expensive license, now we have highly efficient software for free! Google apps are really giving MS Office a run for their money. Who in their right mind will purchase an encyclopedia, a recipe book, etc? Almost all of the information we need is available online mostly for free ... because it is free, right?? Or, isn't it? How are these great corporations generating profit? Is it "open access" a two way street? I use your product you use my information?
Last week I watched a documentary called "Terms and Conditions May Apply". I must confess the documentary seemed a bit alarming for my taste but remind me the importance of questioning this great free products the same way I will question a stranger knocking on my door to give me money "just because". Among other things the documentary attempts to raise awareness about how our personal information, consumer preferences and personal connections are becoming almost as valuable as our money. I still remember the horrifying feeling when after comparing some products online I found tailored advertisements magically appearing on my Facebook page. How are we paying for all the open resources we enjoy? What is our responsibility as teachers when we ask our students to access open educational resources? But most importantly how can help my students to become savvy users of the great materials, resources and products available?
Magic Cookies
Source: AboutCookies.org
"The word 'cookie' comes from 'magic cookie,' a term in programming languages for a piece of information shared between co-operating pieces of software. The choice of the word cookie appears to come from the American tradition of giving and sharing edible cookies."
"What is the purpose of cookies?
Cookies make the interaction between users and web sites faster and easier. Without cookies, it would be very difficult for a web site to allow a visitor to fill up a shopping cart or to remember the user's preferences or registration details for a future visit.
Web sites use cookies mainly because they save time and make the browsing experience more efficient and enjoyable. Web sites often use cookies for the purposes of collecting demographic information about their users.
Cookies enable web sites to monitor their users' web surfing habits and profile them for marketing purposes (for example, to find out which products or services they are interested in and send them targeted advertisements)."