There were a lot of interesting things I learned this week
about academic integrity, intellectual property, and plagiarism. However, I
found Margaret Gould Stewart’s TED Talk about YouTube and copyright to be
really enthralling. I had no idea that videos were cross-referenced to
YouTube’s database as they were being uploaded. It is amazing the things that
technology can do; it’s crazy that technology can even prevent copyright
infringement!
http://www.ted.com/talks/margaret_stewart_how_youtube_thinks_about_copyright?language=en
However, an interesting rule that I found in our BU Student
Content Code Standards is that we cannot use work that we have previously
submitted to complete new assignments in a different class. I don’t quite
understand how this rule qualifies as plagiarism, because it is still our work
that we have completed. It is unclear to me why this is a rule.
I believe some of the ideas I’ve come across this will
influence my research by making me consider what the creator’s intent was for their
piece (music, video, writing) when they created it. I think, professionally, it
is wise to use information in the way that it was intended in order to keep up
with the best practices. The concepts that have been covered this week will
influence my approach to research by causing me to validate my sources and make
sure that I am not stealing anyone else’s intellectual property when I am
completing tasks as a professional.
Great post Cassidy! I agree I think that the rule that we cannot use our own work in other classes is kind of strange. I guess I understand making sure it is okay with your teacher to ensure that it covers the same content. However, if it is your own work then you wouldn't have to give yourself consent to use it again. Sometimes it is difficult to write a whole new assignment that you have basically already done. It's repetitive. I don't enjoy doing repetitive work because I don't feel like I am learning anything new!
ReplyDeleteHi Cassidy!
ReplyDeleteThis is the first time I have visited your Blog and I would first like to say I love your format :) In reviewing your blog from the past week I too agree with you in that it is vital to give credit where credit is due. With the ever changing world and advances in technology everything is available at our fingertips which makes it more difficult to document and cite our resources. It isn't as easy as it was 20 years ago.
When it comes to re-submission of authored works by oneself I can see your frustration; however, I think the Professor just wants to make sure you are putting in the effort and time that has been allocated for the course work as outlined by their Syllabus and accepted by the School Board. Some Professors may be understanding if you are completing research in course and applying it their course if you clear with them first.
Good luck in your endeavors and hope you gained a lot from your research over the weeks. Teachers are our un-sung Heroes and there is never enough funding to help our education system. It all begins in the classroom.
Best Wishes
Angela Cunha
I can't speak for other professors, of course, but if a student came to me and indicated that s/he wanted to use research from a previous class as a _springboard_ for related research that was pertinent for the given class I was teaching, I'd likely be willing to give permission, so long as the new project wasn't, primarily, _just_ a recapitulation of the previous one.
ReplyDeleteBut .... views likely differ from one professor to another, and if you consider doing that, it would probably be wise to speak to your professor and get their permission, first.
Cassidy,
ReplyDeleteIt is funny that you brought up YouTube checking video that are uploaded, till about three months ago I had no idea about that either. The way I found out was I made a video of me and my son and was going to upload it, it didn’t happen because I had music in the background and was told I could not upload because of copy right. Therefore, I know from first hand that copyright software works. I also wanted to talk about turning in a paper from a previous class; I believe that it says as long as both professors agree you are able to use your same work in two classes. I don’t believe this will ever happen unless you agree to change a portion of it. However, I do agree it your work why would you not be able to use it.
v/r
Rey