I received an email from Pearson Publishing the other day.
Attached to it was a pdf that they wanted me to sign authorizing a few authors to use the blogging rubric that I had created a few years ago. These authors were writing a college textbook potentially to be priced at $117 and they wanted to include my rubric in it. A few years ago I had signed the same paper allowing this resource of mine to be included in the first version of this book.
But this time I said no. This time I emailed them and simply said that I wasn’t interested in allowing them to use this piece. A few emails ensued where they questioned my decision and asked me to reconsider. In the end, I still said no thanks.
I’ve decided that there was no use allowing this piece of my work to be included in this textbook. This time, it just didn’t seem to make sense. I’ve been fortunate enough to have my classroom practices mentioned and examined in a number of books and articles. But, with my own stuff, everything I make and share online is covered under a Creative Commons license. If you want anything of mine; take it. Modify it. Use it in your classroom. Just don’t pretend its yours and sell it and make a bunch of money.
What effect will this have on Pearson publishing? None at all. I hope it doesn’t interfere with the authors (none of whom I know) or their work. I sincerely hope that their piece goes forward with this only being a small blip in the road for them. But in this day, when even a guy like me, an educator from a small town in the middle of nowhere, can have a global voice and share their work and ideas with anyone who wants it, publishing something in a locked down $117 book seems like an anachronism from another age.
By the way, here’s the link to the blogging rubric. Use it as you will.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Not for the info, but for the fourth paragraph and for doing what is right.
I’ve been in this same situation with my digital images, making my point with the powers that would lock them down for profit and control, FOR YEARS.
Thank you.
now you had better watch to make sure it does not show up in the textbook anyway.
This is how we spread the CC culture. Good on you.
I am slowly getting my teachers to use CC licensed works. I know plenty of them have students grab Google images when I am not around, but we are slowly making progress.
I think your experience is one I should share with them. It is more personal, and the rubric is excellent. I think this will help them think about the power of sharing and remixing as more than just a “giving credit where it is due” issue.
As a new COETAIL student, I was given your site to add to my Google Reader. I applaud what you did, and your rubric is great.
Do you, or anyone have any ideas, on how to implement blogging on a 5th grade level?
Thanks for the link, and good for you for standing up for what you think is right.
This post is very powerful.
I find it amazing for you to provide that rubric free to many of us, and you are not willing to sell the rights to the rubric to a major publishing company.
Using Creative Commons licensing is such a great way to share information and content, and I truly admire the fact that you have left this rubric open for all to use, rather than potentially placing a monetary value on it.
Thank you for keeping this rubric open for all who may need it. Your decision will benefit many.