Copyright Issues

Reflection on what I have learned about copyright:

What information related to copyright have you learned?

Approximately three years ago I spent some time in a multimedia class learning about copyright laws. Much has stayed the same, but some things have changed like the addition of the Teach Act of 2002. In this class we learned a lot about the do’s and do not’s for teachers using materials that are copyrighted and the growing gap produced by the digital divide. Combining my prior knowledge with my current reading allowed me to up date my “copyright schema.” From this module I have learned that the use of technology is not always equal. Gender and availability of technology are two factors making education inequitable. Software generally is developed more for boys than girls and we find low socioeconomic schools are not able to finance the purchasing of computers or internet. A new kind of poverty labeled “information poverty” is being used to describe those without the access to the information that the internet provides. It is suggested that to ensure adequate and equal access to technology we must get funding and provide teacher professional development.

Also in Chapter 18, I learned information that can not only help me at school, but with my own self. It talked a lot about computer fraud and misuse. Although not surprised, it was alarming the information that people can get to without your permission. Learning more about the computer viruses gave me deeper insight to the importance of protecting myself against these viruses. The chapter gave me advice on how to maintain the security of my computer and my information. For example, I learned that it is best to update your antivirus programs weekly. Typically I do this only when I have received a notice, but now I see that it is something I should check regularly.

Other things I learned from the chapter deal with the laws set throughout the years relating to privacy and copyright. Examples are: 1974 Privacy Act Law, 1976 Copyright Law, Teach Act of 2002, and FERPA. New vocabulary terms I learned are: backdoor, Trojan horse, fair use, and biometric devices.

Overall this chapter as well as the HBL4U readings made me aware of how technology continues to grow and affect our lives in many ways. Because of this, teachers must teach students ways to use the information correctly and ethically. The best way to do this is to keep myself aware of the how technology is being used and to model correct behavior to my students.

How will you use these skills in your classroom?

The HBL4U gave a great tool to use when needing to find out if I can copy a work. The Four Fair-Use Test, has a teacher look at the purpose of the work, the nature of the work, the amount of the work to be used, and the effect of use on the market. In addition to this HBL4U says to ask two additional question: Is the copying or displaying being done at the instance and inspiration of the individual teacher? Is the decision to use and the moment of use so close in teem that a reply to a request for permission to use in a timely manner unlikely? By following these guidelines, I will modeling for my students the correct and ethical use of information that has been provided for us to use.

How does your school handle enforcement of fair use guidelines?

I am not currently teaching at a school, but the following are sites offering information about OSU’s stance on copyright issues.

Copyright: Issues and Concerns for the Academic Community
http://www.library.okstate.edu/info/copyright.htm
Office of Intellectual Property Management
http://www.vpr.okstate.edu/ipm/basics/ownership.html
Academic Dishonesty
http://ueied.ue.okstate.edu/sis/grad/stu_guide/dishonesty.htm