This page serves as an introductory resource for teachers regarding
copyright laws and their impact on student/teacher work.
What is shared here comes from the following sources:
copyright laws and their impact on student/teacher work.
What is shared here comes from the following sources:
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Teachers in the digital age have two areas of concern to consider in their academic work:
Copyright Laws
Copyright is a legal matter
(mediated by the courts) that protects work created by an individual. Permission or exemptions are necessary for use of copyrighted materials. Teachers and student need to discern for themselves which items are in the public domain, what items are included in fair use policy, and what specific exemptions apply. "Transformativeness" is key to use of copyrighted material (without permission or licensing). Teachers & students using the work of others for a different intent, by adding value, and in a manner that is repurposing the material for a different audience may be exempt. Details can be found in the: Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for Media Literacy Education. |
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is an academic matter
(mediated by educators) that protects work created by an individual. Attribution is necessary to credit the work of another individual. Teachers using digital media should consider, model and educate students re: proper citations for given assignments. In schools, attribution often comes in MLA or APA format. In journalism, reporters give verbal credit to the primary source ("According to..."). Online media often uses hyperlinks. Even when copyright material is legally permitted for use, work within an academic setting should always include proper citations as a means of attribution and in avoidance of concerns of plagiarism. |
WARNING TO TEACHERS & STUDENTS!!!
A tremendous amount of misinformation and scare tactics pervade the web related
to copyright laws.Over the years, a number of "negotiated agreements" have been
created that rely on number counts, durations, or timing -- these are not the law.
Beware of any neat & tidy chart that makes the decision regarding use of media for the user. Copyright law requires the very critical thinking and discernment skills
educators aim to promote and instill in their students. In addition, the courts have a history of protecting those who reasonably use their individual judgment in related decisions.
Knowledge is power and both teachers & students should educate themselves appropriately.
Here's a groovy video (by MediaEdLab) to get you started:
to copyright laws.Over the years, a number of "negotiated agreements" have been
created that rely on number counts, durations, or timing -- these are not the law.
Beware of any neat & tidy chart that makes the decision regarding use of media for the user. Copyright law requires the very critical thinking and discernment skills
educators aim to promote and instill in their students. In addition, the courts have a history of protecting those who reasonably use their individual judgment in related decisions.
Knowledge is power and both teachers & students should educate themselves appropriately.
Here's a groovy video (by MediaEdLab) to get you started: