CreativeCommons

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=CREATIVE COMMONS (CC) =
 * What is it? **

Creative Commons (CC) is a type of copyright license. In the 'old' days you couldn’t just ‘take’ something (eg a photo) and use it, because of copyright laws. If you wanted a photo that you found on the internet, you would have to track down the owner (the person who took the photo) and ask their permisssion. Whew...what a lot of work! But then Creative Commons came along - this is a set of licenses which essentially allows you to use the work of others (with conditions they set) as they have already given //prior// permission for anyone to use it. You'll find a more detailed explanation on Wikipedia.

**Point me to something...**

[|Flickr]is a website where you can easily search for, and download, Creative Commons licensed images for use in your Powerpoints, handouts and to make your online courses less 'texty'.

**What is happening in education?**
 * Because it is now much easier to access Creative Commons licensed images, educators are using more graphics on their paper-based hand-outs and in learning guides. This makes them more readable, attractive and are better suited to the less academically-orientated student cohort.
 * Everyone uses Powerpoints, but teachers and trainers are now making them much more visual...even if they are just being used in the classroom. Sometimes a picture tells more than a whole screen of dot points! :-)
 * Images are being used to enhance online courseware and resources. For example, teachers and trainers are using more photos in Moodle courses as well as on wikis, blogs and other websites.

**Examples** >
 * There are Creative Commons licensed Flickr images throughout this wiki, together with appropriate attributions at the bottom of each page.
 * Here is a Digital Photography Moodle course which has a Creative Commons license (note license information on top right)
 * The wiki E-learning for Trades is dotted with Flickr photos...note attribution at the base of the page.

**Show me how...** Below is a simple 'How to use Flickr' video tutorial, but for specific information on finding Creative Commons images, check out How To Search & Credit Properly-Licensed Photos On Flick (article). Some additional Flickr resources are 7 things you should know about...Flickr (PDF document) and Photo sharing With Flickr.com (a simple one-pager about Flickr).

To search for other Creative Commons resources, try the Creative Commons Search pagewhich allows you to search a number of different sites at the same time (including Flickr). Wikimedia Commons is another source of CC material, and the article How to find Creative Commons licensed materials may provide other ideas.

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'Flickr badges' photo:: CC licensed Flickr photo by poolie
 * Acknowledgement**

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