copyrights and copycats

Time for public service announcement number two!  Aren't you excited??  Hopefully the title of the post is self explanatory here - copyrighted material is original work that cannot just be used willy nilly - that'd be copycatting.  And you wouldn't want to be that would you?? lol

So, here are the rules for class assignments when using outside media.  Trust me, you don't want to end up like him:

(http://www.sffaudio.com/?p=2837)

Here we go:
1) fair use allows short segments of copyrighted work to be used without permission from the copyright owner - if in doubt, ask for permission.
2)  Since this is an educational setting, you really shouldn't have to worry about what sort of material you are using - all this changes though if you decide to post it online onsites such as youtube.  There are strict copyright rules, so don't be surprised if your soundtrack gets stripped form the video.  (yes they can tell.)
3) Always provide citations when using someone else's work.

Well, that should do it.  Moral of the story: don't be a copycat.  If you do, give 'em credit.  If you're unsure if you can legally use someone's work, you should probably ask for permission.  Hope that helps, if you have any questions, just ask a teacher, we're here to help.

Internet Usage

Alright folks, here comes the obligatory public notice about internet safety and usage.  Safety!?  The internet is... dangerous??  Well, we don't want it to be.  The internet is a great place to learn and research (go wikipedia!!), connect with friends (gotta love facebook), and occasionally waste some time on youtube (you know you love it too)  =)    But at the same time you need to be aware that there are some people online that want to ruin it for everyone.  Yeah, I know, jerks, right?  Well they are.  These are the guys that try and get your address or phone number, say uncomfortable things in chat rooms, or try and get you to download harmful programs.

OK, time for a true story.  So, once upon a time there was a dumb, I mean 'inexperienced', young man who wanted to watch a movie online... for free.  What a silly child.  All he had to do was fill out a questionnaire and the next hour and a half would be bliss.  Yes, it would be, except for this:  The questionnaire got his phone number, he was then charged $20 in texting fees, oh yeah, and he didn't get the movie.  I think the moral of the story is fairly obvious here.

As an educator (and your parents too) we're going to help you along the way the best we can.  If we see something suspicious (like you spending an inordinate amount of time online, or turning off the monitor when we walk into range) we're going to ask what's up.  So don't try and be sneaky, be honest with us because we're going to be honest with you.

I'm sure you've noticed that all the computers in class are in public spaces, and each has a firewall and search filters.  This isn't because we don't trust you.  It's because we know that it's easy to just start surfing and run into something that's not appropriate.  It's happened to all of us. 

Now, if you're feeling a little bored, make sure to check out some of the science videos we've got posted on the website, oh yeah, and get your homework done!  ; )

see you all in class!

- Mr. Miller

website is live!

Well, if you haven't noticed by now, the official Oak Canyon Science Central website is Live! and ready to go. I hope you all realize that I have had a really fun time designing and implementing this amazing tool. Please take some time to look around and get familiar with what we've got here because we're definitely going to be referring to it throughout the year. This will be a place that you can get assignments, follow the blog, and even tune into a live feed if you're sick and can't make it to class. Like any classroom tool, the website is a work in progress, so please feel free to leave me feedback and let me know what is working and what may need some revision. OK, enough blabbering, time for you to look around and get to know the place. Enjoi.

-Kyle