This week in EDCI 136 was all about opening the hidden doors behind the digital content that we normally take for granted the content that we read, share, remix, or sometimes unknowingly misuse. Through inspiring speeches of Cable Green and Dr. Inba Kehoe, I learned that digital literacy is not just a question of using technology, but understanding how to be a responsible, ethical, and empowered content creator and sharer in a global digital world.

Key Learning: The Power of Open

Listening to Cable Green was like finding a secret toolset that we, students, can actually utilize to build education and knowledge-sharing. He described the concept of Creative Commons (CC) as a means to share your own work legally and ethically and gain access to the great work of others.

What really struck me:

  • “Open Educational Resources (OERs)” are free, legal, and remixable resources that anyone can use and remix.
  • Open sharing isn’t just about “free stuff” – it’s about constructing a more equitable and cooperative education system.
  • Even the little things like sharing a Creative Commons photo or reblogging a blog post with credits include me in this greater movement.

Something that Cable uttered resonated deeply with me: “If we want to address big issues like climate change or education access, the knowledge surrounding it has to be open.” That stuck with me deeply knowledge needs to be a bridge, not a wall.

A Shift in Perspective: Copyright & Fair Dealing

From Dr. Inba Kehoe’s talk, I learned that copyright is not just a legal rule it’s about respecting authors. It impressed me more that:

  • Just because something is on the internet doesn’t mean it’s free to use.
  • There is a difference between “publicly available” and “public domain.”.
  • Now that I’m a blogger myself, I also have to think about what rights I’m giving and what kind of content I’m taking from others.

Dr. Kehoe’s illustrations were eye-opening from artists being sued for utilizing unauthorized images to how music or memes can get you into legal trouble. I realized that even leisure decisions like using an image or a snippet of a song in my presentation or blog have consequences. And above all, it is about fostering an ethical digital culture.

What I’ll Do Differently Now:

  • Always check if the material that I am using is Creative Commons licensed or in the public domain.
  • Properly give credit – not just because it’s the law, but because it’s respectful.
  • Double think before downloading from random sites or reposting memes.
  • Clearly label my own work – if others want to use it, I should instruct them on how to do so legally.
  • Use resources like Google Reverse Image Search to follow the source of an image.

Connecting It All Back

This week introduced me to a whole new dimension of my online life. In addition to studying Python and composing my inquiry project, I now understand that how I publish, reference, and display information is just as vital as the information itself.

Blogging is no longer all about composing – it’s about responsible digital writing.

So yes, my abilities are expanding not only in coding or communication but also in learning how to contribute constructively to a shared knowledge economy

Final Thought

This week reminded me that we are not just consumers in the digital world we are contributors, curators, and creators. And with that comes power and responsibility.