{"id":13093,"date":"2025-05-19T09:18:48","date_gmt":"2025-05-19T08:18:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/?p=13093"},"modified":"2025-05-21T12:21:44","modified_gmt":"2025-05-21T11:21:44","slug":"four-years-of-the-cool-sig","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/2025\/05\/four-years-of-the-cool-sig\/","title":{"rendered":"Four years of the CoOL SIG"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Jane Secker, Associate Professor in Educational Development and co-chair of the ALT Copyright and Online Learning SIG <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post is written by Jane Secker, Associate Professor in Educational Development and co-chair of the ALT Copyright and Online Learning SIG. Jane reflects on the work of the CoOL SIG over the past 4 years and how their group aims to help build more confidence in copyright matters in the learning technology community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ALT CoOL SIG was created around 4 years ago, largely on the back of the Copyright and Online Learning webinar series<\/a> that Chris Morrison and I started during the Covid-19 pandemic. The webinars were an attempt to support the community during a difficult time where institutions had pivoted to online learning and were grappling with many challenges. As copyright was our area of expertise, we hoped that we might share our knowledge to at least help reassure people that with all the scary stuff going on, copyright shouldn\u2019t be a barrier to education continuing. After nearly a year of running the webinars, ALT suggested we set up a special interest group and the CoOL SIG was born.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our group acts as a community of practice to share knowledge about copyright. Much of the copyright expertise lies in the library community, so we are an open group and delighted to have learning technologists and librarians as members, as well as copyright specialists. we have been really pleased to see the ongoing interest in attending our webinars \u2013 last Friday we ran our 77th<\/sup> webinar! And this was the 5th<\/sup> edition of a series of webinars we\u2019ve done called \u2018Becoming a Copyright Specialist\u2019 where people in our field share their stories about why they got interested in copyright and insights from their work. It was great to be joined by Christine Daoutis, UCL, Irene Barranco-Gracia (Imperial) and my colleague Kathryn Drumm (City St George\u2019s) who is an educational technologist and also Secretary of the CoOL SIG. Kathryn\u2019s talk may be of particular interest to learning technologists as she explained how she doesn\u2019t view herself as a copyright specialist, but has enough knowledge to support academic colleagues and also embed some copyright literacy into the training she offers.  We record all our webinars, so if you\u2019ve ever missed one you can catch up on the ALT YouTube channel<\/a> and last Friday\u2019s was no exception and is available online<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond the webinars, the CoOL SIG committee meet 4 times a year online and have a wide range of interests, with sub-groups looking at topics such as Copyright and Accessibility and also copyright education. However, the other event the group supports, is the Icepops conference. While this conference was founded by Chris and I in 2017, we do try and make our work sustainable and we now have support from the CILIP Information Literacy Group and ALT to enable this one day event to take place at as low a cost as possible. We find online meetings and webinars are fine, but copyright folks love to get together and share their passion, and also have a bit of a party too! This year Icepops 2025<\/a> will be taking place at the University of Manchester John Rylands Research Institute and Library<\/a> from 9-10 September in what we call a \u2018Pocket Edition\u2019 format. This means, it\u2019s a half day event, but if you want to extend your stay we have an evening social and tours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our keynote speaker will be Monica Westin, Associate Director, Content and Discovery, Library and Cultural Services at Manchester Metropolitan University. Monica has held roles at Google and the Internet Archive and we know she will provide some fascinating insights into the interesting times we are living through. We will also be joined by Mat Bancroft, Curator at the British Pop Archive<\/a>, John <\/a>Rylands <\/a>Research Institute and Library.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The call for papers is now open<\/a> until Monday 9th June and the conference theme is \u201cCopyright, safe spaces and sanctuary\u201d with the following sub-themes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7         Reflection, empathy and emotion<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7         Long term thinking and planning for the future<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7         Building and supporting communities<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7         Supporting and nurturing others<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7         Finding joy in your work<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are always keen to have new members involved in the CoOL SIG, and you can sign up for mailing list<\/a> and receive our the regular newsletter that our Comms team put together. We share topical \u2018copyright news\u2019 and it ensures you never miss a webinar! I really enjoy being the co-chair of this group and over the past 5 years I\u2019ve really enjoyed seeing how a copyright community of practice works in practice. There is always more to do, and I\u2019m looking forward to presenting some findings from recent research that Chris and I conducted with Amanda Wakaruk, on \u2018Copyright Anxiety\u2019 and how it impacts on higher education. That\u2019s the topic of our next webinar scheduled for the 13th June at 3pm. I hope to see you there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"This post is written by Jane Secker, Associate Professor in Educational Development and co-chair of the ALT Copyright and Online Learning SIG. Jane reflects on the work of the CoOL SIG over the past 4 years and how their group aims to help build more confidence in copyright matters in the learning technology community. The […]","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13130,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1432],"tags":[1258,1471,1494,996,1974],"class_list":["post-13093","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-coolsig","tag-altc-2","tag-altcoolsig","tag-coolsig","tag-sig","tag-special-interest-group"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2025\/05\/TEMPLATE-DO-NOT-EDIT-THIS-PAGE-5.png?fit=734%2C550&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":12835,"url":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/2025\/02\/alt-cool-sig-annual-report-2024\/","url_meta":{"origin":13093,"position":0},"title":"ALT CoOL SIG Annual Report\u00a02024","author":"ALT","date":"6 February 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Co-Chair\u2019s Welcome and Update Welcome to the fourth annual report of the\u00a0Copyright and Online Learning (CoOL) SIG\u00a0of the Association of Learning Technology. The CoOL SIG was formed in November 2020 and this report covers the period January to December 2024. We are honoured to continue to act as the co-chairs\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Copyright and Online Learning SIG"","block_context":{"text":"Copyright and Online Learning SIG","link":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/category\/coolsig\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2025\/02\/Coolsig.png?fit=1080%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2025\/02\/Coolsig.png?fit=1080%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2025\/02\/Coolsig.png?fit=1080%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2025\/02\/Coolsig.png?fit=1080%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2025\/02\/Coolsig.png?fit=1080%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":86,"url":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/2021\/07\/photographs-and-copyright-infringement-claims-a-workshop-for-education-21st-july-from-2-330-pm-bst\/","url_meta":{"origin":13093,"position":1},"title":"Photographs and copyright infringement claims: a workshop for education – 21st July from 2-3:30 PM (BST)","author":"ALT","date":"9 July 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Sign up for an interactive session hosted by Chris Morrison and Jane Secker (ALT CoOL SIG Co-Chairs), joined by speakers from Open University and Creative Commons This session is aimed at those working in education establishments who have received copyright infringement claims from picture agencies for their use of photographs,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Copyright and Online Learning SIG"","block_context":{"text":"Copyright and Online Learning SIG","link":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/category\/coolsig\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":10236,"url":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/2022\/05\/icepops-returns\/","url_meta":{"origin":13093,"position":2},"title":"Icepops Returns!","author":"Christina Vines","date":"10 May 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"The Information Literacy Group are delighted to announce the International Copyright-Literacy Event with Playful Opportunities for Practitioners and Scholars (Icepops) is back. Devised by Chris Morrison and Jane Secker the event is run in conjunction with the ALT Copyright and Online Learning Special Interest Group (CoOL SIG). The event is\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Copyright and Online Learning SIG"","block_context":{"text":"Copyright and Online Learning SIG","link":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/category\/coolsig\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Icepops","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2022\/05\/COPY-Custom-dimensions-1317x409-px-8.jpeg?fit=1200%2C373&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2022\/05\/COPY-Custom-dimensions-1317x409-px-8.jpeg?fit=1200%2C373&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2022\/05\/COPY-Custom-dimensions-1317x409-px-8.jpeg?fit=1200%2C373&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2022\/05\/COPY-Custom-dimensions-1317x409-px-8.jpeg?fit=1200%2C373&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2022\/05\/COPY-Custom-dimensions-1317x409-px-8.jpeg?fit=1200%2C373&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":11907,"url":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/2024\/02\/alt-cool-sig-committee-elections-open-call\/","url_meta":{"origin":13093,"position":3},"title":"ALT CoOL SIG Committee Elections: open call","author":"ALT","date":"5 February 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"We are looking for nominations for officer roles for the \u2018CoOLest\u2019 of all the ALT special interest groups The ALT Copyright and Online Learning (CoOL) Special Interest Group was established in December 2020 as a response to the growing need to understand copyright issues with the shift to online learning.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Copyright and Online Learning SIG"","block_context":{"text":"Copyright and Online Learning SIG","link":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/category\/coolsig\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2024\/02\/Twitter-Post-1024x512-px-49-707x512-1.jpeg?fit=707%2C512&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2024\/02\/Twitter-Post-1024x512-px-49-707x512-1.jpeg?fit=707%2C512&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2024\/02\/Twitter-Post-1024x512-px-49-707x512-1.jpeg?fit=707%2C512&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2024\/02\/Twitter-Post-1024x512-px-49-707x512-1.jpeg?fit=707%2C512&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":9900,"url":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/2022\/02\/events-for-uk-fair-dealing-21st-of-february-25th-2022\/","url_meta":{"origin":13093,"position":4},"title":"Events for UK Fair Dealing 21st of February \u2013 25th 2022","author":"Christina Vines","date":"7 February 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"We\u2019re galloping towards to the UK\u2019s first Fair Dealing week, coordinated by The ALT Copyright and Online Learning Special Interest Group (CoOLSIG), and now have several events listed below. These events both celebrate and provide information about the UK\u2019s important legal framework (Fair Dealing). Fair Dealing week presents opportunities for\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Copyright and Online Learning SIG"","block_context":{"text":"Copyright and Online Learning SIG","link":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/category\/coolsig\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Fair Dealing Week","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2021\/12\/Fair-Dealing-Week-.png?fit=698%2C225&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2021\/12\/Fair-Dealing-Week-.png?fit=698%2C225&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2021\/12\/Fair-Dealing-Week-.png?fit=698%2C225&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":9999,"url":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/2022\/03\/getting-by-with-a-little-help-from-even-more-friends\/","url_meta":{"origin":13093,"position":5},"title":"Getting by with a little help from even more friends","author":"Christina Vines","date":"10 March 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Local copyright communities of practice and the CoOL SIG The copyright network in Higher Education (HE) feels more connected than ever and the Copyright and Online Learning Special Interest Group (CoOL SIG) already plays a significant role in that connectivity. This post will examine the role of regional copyright groups\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Copyright and Online Learning SIG"","block_context":{"text":"Copyright and Online Learning SIG","link":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/category\/coolsig\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2022\/03\/copyright.png?fit=700%2C394&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2022\/03\/copyright.png?fit=700%2C394&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2022\/03\/copyright.png?fit=700%2C394&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2022\/03\/copyright.png?fit=700%2C394&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p6CxU9-3pb","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13093","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13093"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13093\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13131,"href":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13093\/revisions\/13131"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13130"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13093"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13093"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13093"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}