Technology & Instruction for UNEX

I'll need to revise my advice to instructors about using copyrighted videos in online courses after reading this article in the Chronicle of Higher Education . In short, The Association for Information and Media Equipment contacted the university in the fall, alleging that UCLA had violated copyright laws by letting instructors use the videos, which were accessible only to students then enrolled in specific courses and included works such as Shakespeare productions, foreign-language films, and documentaries. The university temporarily stopped using online videos beginning this semester and is negotiating with the trade group. This goes counter to my understanding of the Teach Act , as well as fair use, which I thought allowed for the use of copyrighted material in a password protected course under certain circumstances.

This week's edition of the BBC's Digital Planet podcast has some interesting stories related to distance learning and the use of technology in education. I didn't know that degrees were offered via distance learning as early as the 1800's at the University of London. Technology has changed drastically since then, but teaching methods still have a ways to go.