Exploring DS106
From Mona Lisa holding a cat to altered World War II slogans relevant to modern times, there was something unique about what was going on. I wasn’t quite sure exactly what was going on just yet…
The website is an open classroom available to everyone where they can either participate as a student, teacher, or observer.
Upon looking through the courses I noticed something peculiar between the assignments. Each assignment starts with a product and the students are challenged to create something completely unique within set guidelines. Such as this assignment where students use copyrighted material or intellectual property and “remix” them or create a reflection of the piece. The completed product is displayed openly to the public and others are urged to participate.
If you aren’t sure exactly how to proceed or hitting a mental wall… Have no fear as ds106 offers a big remix button next to each assignment that offers you a theme to incorporate your assignment with.
Ds106 allows those with technical skills to create something original based on existing ideas. Those without technical skills are offered tutorials and a community of like-minded pupils to communicate and educate one another. The entire idea of being an open course and an education tool allows the use of sensitive material to promote creativity.
Any and all walls of a digital commons is broken and swept aside as all material is available and open to each other. Users can even remix another student’s work. Ideas and information is shared and archived available for anyone to view.
Stephen– this is really great. You have a strong sense of how folks interact on ds106, how they support each other, and how they approach IP. Good use of links to support your observations. If you were to, say, articulate the “philosophy” of ds106 in a sentence or two, what would you say?
(I ask that question because your post does a great job of presenting your observations, but could more forcefully state the analysis that your observations lead to).
The Philosophy of ds106 could be summed up as a open class where walking in is like your payment and signing up helps to educate your community and becoming an active contributor help to changes your country. It reminds me of wikipedia.
Search, “make art dammit” and “we can all be artists,” added ds106 at the end.
Ds106 respects intellectual property while actively breaking down the boundaries of copyright by urging members to take something and alter it unique and completely. With the goal of spreading knowledge and creativity ds106 is a catalyst amongst any willing mind.
I felt the same way when I first checked out DS106. The first thing that caught my eyes was the image of Mona Lisa holding a cat. After that, I knew that this was a site where its users were encourage to take materials that have been created by others and edit them using their own creativity. I think this is the general idea of what DS106 is about, creative freedom.