Scholarly publishing a-go-go, digital literacy, the Aaron Swartz case, and pre-K suspensions: Required Readings, April 1, 2014
If I were feeling more clever and less fuzzy brained (no more late-night ice cream), I’d have whipped up a fun faux Required Readings for April Fool’s Day. However, when a state votes to keep on the books a creationism education law declared unconstitutional more than 25 years ago and an elementary student is kicked out of a private school for not being feminine enough, it’s too hard to tell the difference between satire and reality these days.
The past week has brought a variety of information about copyright, fair use, open access, and other matters related to scholarly publishing. Copyright infringement and fair use were among the topics discussed in a recent lecture in intellectual property at Duke University. Liberal arts colleges call for publishers to end restrictions on how e-books can be used and shared. And a British policy statement clarifies an open access mandate applicable to recipients of certain funding there.
While faculty are learning to navigate an evolving landscape regarding author rights, students must develop digital literacy skills of their own. This framework from University of Greenwich researchers encapsulates the dimensions involved.
The Boston Globe presents a fascinating look at the case of Aaron Swartz, focusing on the actions of MIT and database provider JSTOR.
More about recent research on pre-K students suspended for disciplinary problems from Education Week.
Required Readings are a list of links that you might find interesting! Look for them to appear every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday morning.Have some links you’d like to share? Submit them on our contact form!
Image by Speecharella