Academic Institutional Support of Copyright
What is one of the most important things that an educational institution should have in place when it comes to copyright issues?
Rakisha,
If your institution doesn't have a place, it might be that you need to talk to the library staff who may be able to assist you in starting.
Renee Shaffer
One of the most important things that an educational institution should have in place when it comes to copyright issues is a Copyright and Fair Use Guidelines standard.
Phyllis,
So many instructors just fall back on "fair use". They may have heard this phrase somewhere from someone but usually there was no clarification.
Renee Shaffer
Adrian, having easily accessible copyright guidelines based on the U.S. Copyright Laws is a good idea. This could also be downloadable as well so that faculty can have an available source to check if they would like to use copyrighted information in their course instructions.
Good point.
Phyllis Gooden
Educational Institutions should have a copyright policy and guideline available for faculty. But more importantly, there should be periodic training for faculty concerning the issue of using copyrighted material that abides by the U.S. Copyright Laws. This training should occur frequently because much of the information is overwhelming and there would need to be frequent workshops given so that faculty member gains a clear understanding of the legal requirements for “fair useâ€.
Phyllis Gooden
make sure we are not teaching using information that is copyrighted.
Joe,
It is so helpful to have policies in place.
Renee Shaffer
strict policies as to what the boundaries are for instructional and student use of materials.
Barry,
Amen. This is so true and it is so true that you are seeing the polar opposite treatments of copyright policy in education. Hang in there.
Renee Shaffer
As I work for two schools at the same time, it is amazing how different they are as to their copyright policies... one is constringent and well explained... the other is laxed and non-existent... often times I go to meetings with the admin, and I get the following statement "Mr. Karrh... yet again we will have to have our lawyers look into this and we will have to write a policy.
This is why I take time in each and every class to clarify plagiarism, copyright and what is and is not legal in academic writing and presentations.
Sometimes it is exhausting being prepared.
Andrew,
This is so true. That is why courses like this are so important so that instructors know what is expected of them and their institution. Then maybe a conversation can start.
Renee Shaffer
Renee, well it must be that our organization have policies and procedures regarding this area and also market this as well. Many of us may not know about the policy unless we are taught this in training sessions, or taught to revisit this area.
Education of the Staff, instructional leadership to practice what you know, and to make sure that you constantly encourage and enforce the practice to the best of your ability.
Educating the faculty is paramount. All instructors must understand the repercussion of failure to abide. I do think copyright education should be as important as professional development and faculty advancement
Institutions should have posted and trained policies distributed to faculty and students. Additionally they can integrate software solutions that can detect infringing materials.
I think that maybe a list of reference materials that the authors have already given permission to reproduce for learning purposes or training use in that particular institution.
Minnie ,
So very true. Often it is done through ignorance of the law.
Renee Shaffer
The laws are clear and institutions should not simply make-up their own rules.
Michael,
University of Texas has a great one. When I have a minute, I will try to post it.
Renee Shaffer
