Rand, Perhaps you may have acted prematurely if you didn't have access to the instructor's license agreement with the software manufacturer. Some software manufacturers provide for academic use and give express permission to distribute copies to students (although that software is usually a crippled version). If, on the other hand, your instructor was offereing to give away a full edition of Photoshop CS with hacked authentication, you should have informed the school. In any case, the limited information suggests that the instructor is definitiely teaching something other than digital photography. Bill Pettit -----Original Message----- From: rand flory <ferret@xxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Apr 6, 2004 10:56 AM To: List for Photo/Imaging Educators - Professionals - Students <photoforum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Subject: Colleges and ethics Fellow Forum Members, Since the beginning of the year, I have been taking a college class on Digital Photography via the I'net. I was excited, as it was my first college-level class. It did not quite meet all my expectations, as it really seemed to be pitched toward what I considered an early high-school level of scholarship. The text book, however, Ben Long's _Complete Digital Photography (Second Edition)_, was pretty complete; dated (as any text has to be), but pretty complete. But I was not taking the class for the digital learning. I knew at least as much about digital photography as the instructor. I was in the class just to have an official course under my belt, AND to have my photos analyzed and discussed by someone who knew photography much better than I. I looked forward to criticism, as we grow only by making and correcting mistakes. My first submission was well analyzed. The rest were merely praised. That was another slight disappointment. Still, I was enjoying the course with a solid A (possibly the highest grade in the class). UNTIL The instructor gave away to anyone in the class who wanted one a burned copy of his personal image correction software. At least that is how it seemed to me. I immediately withdrew from the class and asked for a refund of my tuition. To me, this was institutionalized software piracy and I could no longer participate in the class in any way. I REALLY wanted the credit, but I felt the ethics involved were more important than the credit. The Query Was I wrong in this this? Is this how it is done in colleges and universities now? Am I behind the times? While this query is directed basically toward the academic instructors on the list, I would appreciate comments from anyone. If I was wrong, let me know and I will consider it just another learning experience, although I am not sure it will lead to personal growth, just understanding. Query II Does anyone know of any photo classes at the univerisity level that can be taken via the I'net? (Assuming I am not now blackballed by all colleges and universities throughout the world)? Or better yet, are there any MFAs being offered? Thanks for any input. peace rand
