Drape's Takes

Two weeks ago, Lawrence Lessig joined Stephen Colbert on the Colbert Report. In their interview, they discussed copyright and the re-mix culture that so widely saturates our society. While Lessig argued that remixing is good and Colbert stringently balked against its advocacy, in the end they were both successful at achieving their goal.

Here's the original interview:

And here are three of a growing number of remixes that have been created since, effectively illustrating that Colbert got exactly what he wanted in the first place. I mean really. Who wouldn't want free exposure and advertising created and liberally promoted by fans that would willfully work for the tribe?

Pure genius.


Thus, viral marketing becomes an art form (and truly effective) when you're able to convince others to do what you want them to do, even though your words just might indicate otherwise.

Sounds like a skill we need to need teachers to acquire, doesn't it.

I was recently asked an important question that I fear I wasn't able to properly answer.

How should the district support the technology needs of the district?

As I've thought a lot about this question since my first attempt, I've decided that a second attempt would be fitting. Hopefully this time around I'm able to offer an improved analysis of this important subject. Therefore, that which follows is my second draft.

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First, the district should support the technology needs of the district by realizing that the primary reason of its very existence is to improve the learning experience of students.


Next, the district should support the technology needs of the district by challenging the status quo, providing alternative methods, and imparting the resources necessary to ensure success.


Finally, the district should support the technology needs of the district by always helping when needed and by sometimes staying out of the way.


For what it's worth.

Original Image Sources: Flickr users Juber Al-haddad, The Tardigrade, and stuant63.

Late to the game in promoting this, but very powerful stuff from Michael Wesch's latest blog post:


Questions:

• Have you ever been used by social media?
• How should educators approach social media in their curricula?
• Is there a level, a class, or a time when it would be best to teach students skills related to social media?
  
• If we take the stance that social media literacy should be taught throughout the curriculum - regardless of subject or grade level - what can be done to ensure that it isn't lost through the cracks?
  

I certainly have my opinions about this topic, but would love to hear what you think first.

Sources:

• Original image source: Flickr user lmoore1118.
• Quotation source: Michael Wesch.