Symposium for Teaching and Learning with Technology

I think the most shocking part of Lessig's speech was this table about the copyright status of items in the Google Books inventory

16% - public domain (older works)
9% - copyrighted and in print
75% - copyrighted, but out of print (aka "Orphaned Works")

I've been aware of the issue of orphaned works, but I had no idea that it was such a large percentage. Apparently the vast majority of content produced is considered commercially non-viable over the long haul. But how can we make sure that these works aren't locked away just because they generate enough of a revenue?

This is especially critical for academic institutions because scholars are notorious for wanting access to those obscure books that few others need. Not being able to access them easily leads to either extended checkout times from the library (for years at a time) or to rampant photocopying.

Lawrence Lessig Speech

Stories

Enabling Teaching and Learning in the Digital Age & Your Role

• Writing is a democratic practice - all should/can do it.
• 9-college writing - why do we do what we do?
• Most writing produced here is crap - but kids learn here. How hard it is to write, the complexity. It teaches them the value of creativity.

"Quoting" in writing. We take, use, build upon - without the author's permission.

Imagine if we asked the author for permission to quote? Crazy. This points out the democracy of writing - it's by all, for all.

Masses vs. the Elite

Graham Spanier's introduction is funny. And, he reads clearly, if slowly.

Lessig lays out his case for Creative Commons.

I think Lessig might be the only person I have seen who could actually make good use of Keynote. There actually is a use for Keynote, eh?

I need the links to some of these videos! What great remix!

His explanation of copyright law is clear.

I find myself looking at his use of type in this presentation. Creative use of kerning.