TEACH Act: What Are the Institution's Technological Responsibilities?

Antelman, Kristin         (919) 515-2843

Associate Director for Information Technology

Libraries

North Carolina State University

Abstract (up to 200 words):
The recently enacted TEACH Act opens the door to "classroom equivalent" use of digital media in distance education. There are many constraints on the exercising of these rights, however. In addition to various individual responsibilities, the institution also bears significant responsibility for compliance. Probably the most challenging of the requirements is the institutional obligation apply technological measures to prevent retention or further dissemination of the work. This session will look at what technological controls are available to comply with this requirement. Can all file types and formats be controlled? How can we critically evaluate these digital rights management tools in light of our overarching mission to support the free exchange of information between teachers and students? It there an acceptable middle ground? While successfully implementing a system of "downstream controls" will give instructors valuable new options in designing their courses, there will also be unintended consequences. The law permits institutions to retain copies of digital objects in a secure space. That provision, together with the realities of implementing a DRM system, will encourage centralization of content and control. One challenge will be to implement these measures in such a way that instructors do not feel that the costs of compliance are too great.

Related materials:
TLTC Handout

Related materials:
teach_TLTC.ppt

Session type:
Short presentation (20 minutes)

Time slots:
C8 - Fr 3:30 - 4:15

Room:
Victoria C

Last Modified September 9, 2003
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