Ginger,
A copyright librarian told a group of faculty only this morning that everything could be answered with "it depends". Not a good agruement in my estimation.....
Renee Shaffer
As a practicing attorney, many of the issues raised in the first section of this presentation arise in by daily practice. Interestingly, even as an attorney with more than twenty years experience practicing law, I find myself questioning the legality of using materials each time a teach a course. The areas are "gray" at best, and the more knowledge a professor possesses, the better poised she is to proceed in course development without infringing on any protected rights.
I agree, so many times my students don't understand that cutting and pasting is plagiarism and infringing on copyrights even if they put a citation... because in short they are using someone else's work. I have a dreadful time just getting them to understand that a quote must be in quotation marks and a paraphrase also must have a citation....
BUT when you count in pictures, audio clips, music, and any other creative work... this is when I have a difficult time explaining that it is wrong, illegal and punishable by more than the school's faculty. BUT when someone uses their work, this is when they understand...
It is amazing isn't it???
Arthur,
We hope that instructors can help educate a digital citizenry.
Renee Shaffer
By learning about the U.S. Copyright Law of 1976, Instructors are able to be knowledgable about the ownership rights they have to their original works and creations. Also, Instructors can pass on this knowledge to students.
Harley,
Yes, the idea of a knowledgeable digital citizenry is so needed.
Renee Shaffer
Well, the more informed the instructors are on this topic, the better we can educate our students on how to be a good digital citizen...
Lawrence,
As we are trying to teach our students to be good stewards of knowledge and have information literacy, this is certainly one component.
Renee Shaffer
When instructors understand the legal terms when it comes to U.S. Copyright laws, not only instructors avoid any potential violation against their organization; but, they can enrich their students in preventing them from breaking any regulation or plagiarism as well.
This is a topic I have always been interested in learning more about!
As I teach in the social sciences, there is always a news article, tv show, video, etc related to current events that helps express and exemplify the concepts we are discussing. I have always been unsure of what I can use freely and what should be "off limits". Learning about copyright law will certainly help me understand, as well as keep me and the institutions I work for, out of the courtroom!
Phil,
I have seen the same.! "I teach at several colleges and the most information that I've received fair use was a one page photocopy taped to the wall above the copier."
Renee Shaffer
I could not agree more! I teach at several colleges and the most information that I've received fair use was a one page photocopy taped to the wall above the copier.
Students very often ask for material when they miss a class or want to review that I believe would be a copyright violation, but it never really clear (until now) if it would be.
Thanks for a great resource!
Phil Lewis
June,
If I could encourage all instructors to make some FAQs for students, I would!
Renee Shaffer
Understanding the twists of Copyright law is essential for instructors because we use content to enhance our student's learning. Sometimes simply cutting a pasting a relevant cartoon online can be copyright violation, and students as well as the institution should be sure to cite and ask permission. Students would also benefit from a FAQ regarding copyright as well.
Mike,
So glad that this course is useful to you. We definitely need to teach our students the correct usage of copyrighted materials because no one else seems to be mentioned it to them!
Renee Shaffer
Hi,
First I am so happy to be taking this class. Good refresher course. I believe that learning about copyright laws is essential to teaching to first model to students and demonstrate good teaching practices. Being a music teacher I am constantly dealing with the topic of copyright laws. I need to know them to help guide my future music producers and song writers on what is legal and what is stealing. We have many discussions, especially with today's music, on what is legal and not. "well my friend steals and samples other's music' is not an excuse nor make it ok to do. I have to show them the laws and how it effects the music business as a whole. Also, when I do show or play something in class I explain to the students why I can and how much I can demonstrate. That I just can't play anything because that's the law.
Jennifer,
Thank you so much for the kind comments. When I wrote the course, I knew that it was something that would be beneficial for most of us instructors.
Renee Shaffer
Jennifer,
Many institutions just don't want to acknowledge copyright issues so they don't mention it much.
Renee Shaffer
Actually, after going over section 1, I think I understand why there is a distinction - because for profits would be technically "profiting" off of the use of the material! This distinction is hard to keep in mind for faculty, because the "teaching" part feels the same regardless of what kind of institution we are in.
Hello All,
Good afternoon! I hope your day is going well. Learning about the U.S. Copyright Law of 1976 is essential for two reasons; modeling for students and legality issues.
In our courses, online or on-ground, instructors stress to students the importance of academic integrity, avoiding plagiarism, doing one's own work, proper research, and so on. As educators, if we hold students to such standards, we must do the same with our instructional and professional practices.
In my estimation, knowing about copyright laws falls under the "professional obligations" of all instructors. Technology and the social environment may change that makes access to information and works more readily available. However, what transcends time and situation is the fact that the owner of any work created is the owner. Such rights should be respected. As such, instructors are well served to know copyright laws so as to avoid legal issues.
I welcome any thoughts and feedback. Thank you.
Have a great day!
-Allen
