IPR in the web 2.0 world: animation

This new six-minute animation highlights the importance of considering IPR in the use and re-use of interactive Web 2.0 technologies such as blogging, podcasting and other multimedia and links back to the very helpful free Web2Rights online diagnostic tool. The tool provides a step-by-step user guide to ensure the protection of both their and others’ copyright in using, deploying and repurposing content.

The animation presents the issues in an accessible, colourful and light-hearted way via three typical case studies: a researcher, a lecturer and a student. These examples pinpoint areas where confusion often exists, or even where many may not consider IPR to be an issue at all, and signpost back to the online diagnostic tool for further guidance and information.

Web2Rights is a JISC funded project, whose purpose is to develop a practical, pragmatic and relevant toolkits to support the projects funded within the JISC Users and Innovation Programme in their engagement with next generation and Web2.0 technologies and emerging legal issues, such as IP, libel and accessibility.

the digital student

A JISC sponsored supplement, 'Digital student' was published in the Guardian on Tuesday, exploring the achievements of institutions (with the use of various technologies) and some of the future challenges as universities and colleges look to exploit technology and place the student experience at the heart of learning and teaching.

The kinds of technologies that have placed technology at the heart of the learner experience such as podcasting, wikis, immersive worlds such as Second Life and texting were highlighted in the publication. It also considered how such technologies have impacted on student progression and retention, assessment, the management of intellectual property rights and the building of new and more flexible learning spaces.

What came out quite strongly for me was the theme of technology supported student control and collaboration, both with other students and with their tutors.

"...students must have more control - they should have the opportunity to choose to learn using texts rather than having texts 'pushed' onto them.."
Paul Brett, MELAS (push the button article)

"There is a greater expectation from students that they are involved in the design of their education"

David Melville (students fashion their own education article)

All in all an interesting read - available online at www.guardian.co.uk/digitalstudent