So long as I don't have to watch

There is a very interesting discussion taking place on the NECC 2008 Ning about what policies ISTE should adopt regarding the audio and video taping of its conference sessions.

Leslie Connery, Deputy CEO of ISTE and NECC Conference Chair, writes:

Amended Code of Conduct for NECC 2008

ISTE recently disseminated a code of conduct regarding video and audio recordings at NECC 2008 which has generated some thoughtful and energetic discussion.

We welcome your interest and comments and would like to clarify and amend the code of conduct for NECC 2008.

For NECC 2008, ISTE’s permission is not required for non-commercial video and audio recording of sessions and workshops.

However, for NECC 2008, written permission from the session or workshop presenter is required prior to capturing a video or audio recording. Any permitted recording should respect the presenter’s rights and not be disruptive.

Under no circumstances may any length or quality of video/audio capture be used for marketing, advertising, or commercial purposes without express written permission from both the session presenter(s) and ISTE.

Thank you. We look forward to an ongoing dialog about fair use.

You have until the new guidelines are expected to be published in January 2009 to comment, with a draft to be made available in early December 2009.

There are far more erudite minds than mine weighing in on this topic on the Ning already, but here is my take:

• Presenters should have the right to determine whether their sessions are recorded or not, and this preference should be clearly stated in the program itself. Personally, I think it is both professionally and economically unwise not to let oneself be taped. (Although Kathy Shrock makes a good case why she doesn't like recordings being made of her sessions.) Simply, we all need to share our knowledge in all formats as professionals; professional speakers and consultants ought to be glad of the free publicity. But you should should always give people the option to do foolish things. It makes the world a more interesting place.
• ISTE should designate a single Creative Commons license for how the recorded works can be used.
• ISTE should establish a common clearning house of all taped sessions. (If my writing won't help you get to sleep, maybe one of my conference sessions might and this would make them easy to locate.)

I've always allowed anyone to tape my sessions on the single condition that I never am obligated to watch or listen to the damn things*. Perhaps that should be a part of the policy as well.

Anyway, it is a very interesting discussion and it should engage all of us as educators who want to help our students understand copyright, intellectual property, and fair use issues.

What are the policies on this that other organizations like ALA have adopted? Or is ISTE on the bleeding edge?

Please add your ideas and opinions to the NECC Ning!

*I did once find watching a presentation I gave instructive. It seems, back when I was starting out as a speaker, I spent a great deal of time playing with the change in my pocket while I presented. I looked like a pervert that should not only not be in education but not be allowed within 500 yards of a school. I learned to remove everything from my pockets before every talk I give.

Is still do.