"You Tube, You Tube, Wherefore out thou You Tube"

Reading Sara Kajder's books has caused me to "pause and ponder" more than once. For instance, The Text Savy English Classroom, discusses, among other things, how to allow students to justify their voice by creating new ways for them to express it. Using the hypertext to have students explain why they wrote a certain way or got the idea for a piece forces them to invest in writing more effectively. Writing their message first in word is an excellent idea to have them look at and revise how they want their writing to be viewed. In addition to this, showing them the different ways to use email also may help improve their writing skills. Asking them to first place the message in word, analyze it and revise, is a good way to encourage the revision process.-I particularly liked the idea of explaining that you should use one type of writing for the workplace and one account, and use email for family and friends on another account. I try to follow that rule--too many things have occurred using email in the workplace which hurt employees or may result in them loosing their jobs. Although I teach writing, I am usually trying to find a way to allow students to use their creativity and originality as a means for a culminating activity. We have just finished, the drama, Romeo and Juliet, I was looking for a way to engage students in this activity. When I saw Sara's Online Communications in chapter 8, I was excited to view how to collaboratively use projects with teachers and students. I gave my students several options to complete an activity for this drama. They can act out a scene using the Shakespearean language, using costumes and props, place the scene in a more modern day setting and give it a modern day translation-again use costumes and props, rap a scene, or for those who would rather not perform, write a research paper about Shakespeare's "Lord Chamberlain's Men" and the Globe Theatre. Students have the option to perform it live, or film it and bring to class. Each group must have a typed script and arrange for each member to take part in the skit. Anyway, they seemed very excited and were talking about ideas and costumes--it was nice to hear. I am allowing class time, so I can monitor some of their progress. Some suggested they place their results on You Tube. I am a bit weary since I do not know all the rules surrounding using such a public domain. I was wondering if I could get some advice concerning this situation. I do know that some students have previously placed other projects for other teachers on YOu Tube, but I still am not sure if it brings in some legal issues.