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Sunday, August 23, 2009

Did somebody say free beer?

Posted by Jonathan at 12:00 PM

Think free as in speech, not free beer.

When we say that Connexions offers users access to "free textbooks and learning materials", most people assume that we're talking about materials that can be used without paying for them. And that's certainly true.

But our materials aren't just free in the monetary, "free beer" sense; they're also free in the liberty, "free speech" sense. Authors are free to modify existing content - through updates, corrections, translations, customizations, localizations, etc. - to meet their own needs. They are also free to take these materials and use them outside of Connexions. In fact, the only restriction that is placed on our users is that they give credit where credit is due by providing attribution.

I am often asked why we elected to go with the Creative Commons Attribution (CC-by) license, rather than one of the other Creative Commons licenses. For example, many open content enthusiasts promote the use of the "share-alike" restriction, which compels anybody using licensed content to make their derived works available under the same terms. Others question the lack of a non-commercial restriction, arguing that authors who willingly give up opportunities to profit from their works should not have to stand by while others cash in on their efforts by repackaging and selling derivatives (or exact clones) of the original material.

The short answer is this: the more restrictions we place on these works, the less free ("as in speech") they become, and the less flexibility we have as a community to use those resources. Instead, we choose to free ourselves of these limitations, engaging authors, learners, and even publishers to promote the free exchange of ideas so that everybody can benefit from our combined wealth of knowledge.

Is the CC-by license the best choice for every open content project out there? No, it's not. But we feel that it is the right choice for Connexions, and the right choice to support our mission to provide free - truly free - educational materials that benefit the entire community.

Speaking of which, did I hear someone say free beer?


Talk back:

How do you feel about the choice to use the CC-by license for Connexions content? Do you see this as a barrier for authors who might otherwise contribute, or an opportunity for innovators to develop new ways to use knowledge to its fullest potential? Do you feel that this license benefits authors by promoting the use of their content by others or lacks respect for the value of their work? We'd love to hear what you have to say!
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15 comments:

  1. Once most people get past the "if I'm not making money on my own book, why should someone else?" then they can see the bigger picture. By having the CC-by, print shops can print a custom version of the text on campus and earn a bit of money. Students can order the book off the Connexions site, which would not be available otherwise if QOOP (or some other printing house) could not earn a profit. Others have a bit of incentive to improve the book which will eventually help the authors' students. Everyone wins.
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  2. As a teacher, I appreciate this concept. Textbooks are written from the publisher's point of view and do not always (in fact, rarely) meet my particular student population's needs. I am constantly taking from the textbook what my students need in order to help them learn what they need to learn in order to master the concept of the lesson. So much of what is written in textbooks is "filler" material that is really not conducive to helping my students achieve mastery of the state standard, understand a concept or even "pass the test." I am constantly filtering out what is "filler" and utilizing that which will help me as a teacher meet the individual needs of my students. I cannot possibly cover everything in the text so this filtering becomes necessary in order to teach successfully. Putting textbooks into the open source format would enable me to not have to wade through copious amounts of extraneous information but would instead help me to get to the meat of the concept. We have several newer textbooks that have come with their own CDs, and these my colleagues and I send home with our students so as to avoid having them carrying heavy textbooks back and forth from school. The info they need is on the CD and they utilize that at home or wherever they may be when they are not in school. Homework has improved and parents are able to help their children more-- why not make more texts accessible in this way?

    On the other hand, I think novels should be left alone. Authors work hard to create their art and to allow others to play with their text takes away from the integrity of their work. I wouldn't recreate music or paitnings so why should I be afforded the chance to recreate Austen or Bronte or Hemingway?

    Sara G. - California
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  3. First, let's look at the term "free speech". Speech is rarely free in the context of there is no "payment". An author always pays some price when creating and submitting their work to publishers for review. That payment comes in the form of scrutiny, judgment and the constant battle by users to either prove or disprove the contents within. An author offers their work for judgment by publishers who more times than not have very little understanding of the contents. Many publishers are as outdated as the material they offer, and they cling to such outdated materials as if it were the Holy Grail of academia. When a teacher is given material that has not been updated or at least revised in some form, they are offering their students nothing more than old theories, conjecture and facts that in some cases have been proven to be false. Until the time comes when publishers put more emphasis on new ideas, progressive thought and open discourse ahead of their ability to sell their wares to districts, teachers and students alike will be shackled by the stifling limitations of their material. When the classroom is crying out for a Prius, we must rely on the Model T. Our task as a teacher is to challenge the mind, broaden the scope and incite thought and ideas within our students. This means the ability to explore all possibilities, exchange views and look at all sides of an issue. That includes not only the freedom to speak, but more importantly, the freedom to think.

    --Maria Elena Aguilus
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  4. When I first saw the video about this concept as a whole, I immediately thought of Wikepedia, the Internet encyclopedia. Individuals are using it on a regular basis to find information needed for papers, but it is not a reliable source. Most people don’t know that the information in it is open for change. Granted, much of the material listed one wouldn’t question, but if you aren’t an expert, how are you going to know that what you are getting is true and accurate? Although I believe in free speech, and free beer for that matter, I am concerned with whether or not the information I receive on here is accurate. I think having a license to protect people’s freedom is important. I see the barrier for those that wish to publish something they probably shouldn’t, rather than deterring those that have something valuable to share. We have to teach our students, and ourselves, how to wade through the unreliable content to find the magic that is hidden underneath. I think this licensing may show the authors that you do have a respect for their work, rather than not.
    ~Stephanie~
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  5. You might be interested in the related blog post, http://blog.cnx.org/2010/02/how-to-control-for-quality-in.html, about Connexions lenses, that let trusted organizations provide quality information about Connexions content.
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  6. I agree with Stephanie. Wikipedia was the first thing that popped into my head when trying to wrap my mind around the Connexions concept. Naturally, my first concern was the reliability of the content and I'm not sure that the lenses and rating system are quite enough to secure that, indeed, all that is posted and accessed is valid and reliable.

    With that said, I think that as long as we approach the content of the modules as critical consumers, Connexions is a very good forum for sharing, synthesizing, and creating new ideas. With Connexions, as with any other interchange of ideas, it is up to the recipient to scrutinize the content of the modules.

    As far as the Creative Commons Attribution license is concerned, I believe that it is the most appropriate license for Connexion’s intended purposes; to promote the exchange of ideas.
    -Marcie
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  7. I actually think this is a great idea. Teachers are always collaborating but are limited to resources because of budgets. I believe this would be a useful tool for teachers. It will help to use a variety of information from several contents to provide instruction to our students where they may need more emphasis. We find ourselves using one curriculum because the schools do not have the funds to buy many resources or the current resources needed. I am interested to see how this would work for our schools. I believe it will also help parents get access to resources for help at home.
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  8. I am a classroom teacher as well as some of our fellow commenter’s. I feel their pain on the stretched budget issue. I don't have class budget this year at all; even when I did I often came out of pocket $500-$1000 a year on materials for my room. I believe that a free exchange of ideas between educators or for that matter any profession is in the best interest of the public as a whole.
    I have found on many occasions that the input I receive from my peer group can have a greater impact on a lesson or the development of one than any of the pre made instructional materials I have in the room. While there is certainly room for both and I don’t begrudge anyone the right to make a living I do think that there are nitch markets that could use a helping of free exchange of ideas. There are some classes mine included that do not benefit from mass produced one size fits all publications. Some of the items that are tailored to my area of instruction are prohibitively expensive.
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  9. I feel the use of the CC license will be a benefit rather then a barrier. Personally I agree with the comment above about how this site will be a great resource for parents to gain the information and help they need. Along with teachers and other professions that value collaboration, this venue will enhance all involved. Naturally, one should always question the validity of any site, and double check sources. As long we individuals are able to keep that in mind then I agree with the context of the connexsions site and will recommend it as a helpful source to others.
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  10. When I first read the article I thought it was a great idea to have free access to the different materials availible on the internet. Of course, I have major concerns as well. The first concern that I have is if so much information is exchanged is that going to make it so inaccurate information is presented to people reading articles. Also, are there going to be people who fact check the information? I hope so. Although, on the other hand, I think there are many benefits. Firstly, that is fantastic that more people are going to have access to this information for free, and I am glad the site is so easily accessible.
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  11. Technology changes everyday and the printed traditional text book is often outdated by the time it is actually available to read especially science and history books. The internet gives us access to lesson plans and updated resources and materials that we could not have had 10 or 20 years ago. Connexions is certainly adding to those resources. I just wonder if the contributors to Connexions will be the authors of the traditional books or the teachers who are actually teaching the content. Is one better than the other?
    I wonder how many of the traditional authors/experts will be willing to contribute to Connexions as they are unwilling to speak “freely” that is to say without charging a fee.
    It takes time to research and write any book and while input/editing from others is important how or why would they bother writing for “free” if that is how they make their living.
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  12. I am still trying to wrap my brain around the big picture of Connexions. My initial concerns are authors getting their dues and the information being presented is valid. What I really like about having texts available via Connexions is the accessibility. With the current technology rate it seems there will be a time in the not distant future where turning virtual pages will supersede the turning of actual pages. I imagine a time when every student brings his or her virtual book. Easy textbook access via Connexions coupled with feedback from peers anywhere in the country makes for a handy and affordable tool for teachers.
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  13. Intellectual proprietary material is always hard to put a price on. As true educators it is our utmost responsibity to help our students become the best citizens they can be. By using Connexions teachers can expose students to cutting edge information and see free speech in action. Together our thoughts are stronger because it is how new concepts and innoventions are birthed. I do have concerns that the information present is valid. Is the information presented going to be thoroughly reviewed before being posted? Does it have to be backed up by research? I like the idea of the information being free as I spend thousands on appropriate curriculum for students in my classroom.
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  14. The Creative Commons Atribution license is an interesting application. How will you continue to apply and provide free speech when the giant corporations continue to snatch up the rights to the marketing software? Just a thought? How about free water?
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  15. Creative Commons Atribution license is a good idea. How ofter do people comment on this blog. How long will information continue to remain free?
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