POST #4: Copyright

I have not studied copyright since college so it was good for me to go through this information again.  I have been careful in the past making sure that materials can be copies or shared, but technology changes a lot.  I want students to use their computers to interact with the text, but I cannot share it through a web page as our web pages are not password protected.  While going to a one to one technology program next year I am not aware of a password sensitive program we have to share text with students.  I think I am going to set up an OneNote password protected sheet.  I am hoping this will allow me not only to link to information students are using but will also allow them to add their own thoughts through video, audio, or text.  Technology has truly changed how quickly we can access information and share information but as teachers we need to be careful about what we share and what technology we use to share that information.  

The copyright module was very helpful in understanding the laws. I was always afraid of what I could and couldn't use. Now knowing all the wonderful sites AEA has, some of my anxiety can be stopped. When teaching in various classes, if the students are doing research, I will try to steer them to the AEA sites to find their information.

After completing the copyright section of the course, I definitely feel more comfortable and more confident in my understanding of copyright law and how it applies to teachers. I really knew absolutely nothing about the Creative Commons, so that was a good learning for me as well. One of the things that I definitely did for me is it cemented for me how important it is that my students access the Iowa AEA online resources for research rather than simply doing a Google search because by doing a Google search there's no real easy way to know what you can and can't use. But by using the AEA online, all the work is already been done and it's safe for you and your students to use.

After reading the material about copyright I am going to pay closer attention to the materials I am using and printing for classroom use.  Using the AEA resources will be a more safe choice and I do like the number of choices that are available and what they have listed is suitable for my lower elementary students.  However, I also do not want to be limited to only the AEA resources.  If I choose to go to other sources I will need to be mindful of what I am looking at as well as using in the classroom.  I have noticed the permission granted notices on certain printed materials for classroom use.  I also will be considering Fair Use guidelines. I am totally understanding how artists and authors are protecting their work.  I would like to add audio clips to some student work and will need to choose carefully from those lists as well.  I would use Soundzabound for those added details.

Having completed the copyright module I have a better understanding of the laws.  I have come to the decision that the AEA is the way to go to use materials such as pictures and sounds.  This will eliminate any possible law breaking on my part when my class creates different projects.  It is also a safe way to search for different information that is safe and relevant to the content we are learning about.  AEA Online is what my students and self will be using for information, images, and sounds in our classroom creations.  I will also be solely using this resource for videos and other educational content.  Copyright laws can be very hard to understand to make sure that you are using them properly and giving correct credit where it is needed.  This module broke it down so it was a lot easier to understand and I appreciate that greatly.  I learned quite a few new things about copyrights too!

As a Para Educator in the classroom I really didn't have a good understanding of the Copyright laws. I knew if you used someone's quote or painting you had to give them credit. I now have a much better understanding of what's legal in the classroom.  This class explained the Fair use law and that AEA is a much safer, credible site.  As a para I will stress to the students that they need to use AEA online instead of Google.  Last year the English department did a whole section on copyright/ plagiarism with the students they had to research plagiarism from 3 sites, write a paragraph explaining it. Then they researched their topic for their report and had to explain why it was a credible site that they got their information from. Finally write their report in their "own" words.  This school year I will have a much better understanding of the copyright laws and will definitely be able to direct them correctly.  It is so great that AEA has done all this work for the students use whether it be written material such as news, books or videos, audios, or art work, pictures.

The self-paced module on Copyright has been quite helpful. It cleared up some of the grey areas I had as far as Fair Use goes. I’ve bookmarked the links to refer back to when needed. In regards to student use I would take the time to educate students on using the advanced search options in Google and go over the different creative commons licensing options. I would have them search for both audio and images using the filters so that they become familiar with the options. I’d also take them to the Creative Commons website and spend time introducing them to the different types of lisences there. Then have them spend some time looking for resources that they would use for a specific video genre with a specific licencse type.. Another thing I would do is impress upon them the value of intellectual property in regards to innovation and creativity. Here is a website I would use. I would play the video of the musicians Panic is Perfect talking about how the music industry and streaming music affects them personally. Then lead students through a discussion of how copyright protects individuals’ intellectual property. If time permits I would have them create a video in which they address copyright issues.

The AEA online module for copyright has given me a better understanding of the practice of copyright laws within the educational system and their infringements. Having the new terminology (Fair Use, the Teach Act and Creative Commons)and knowing the domains in which they apply will help me and my students navigate the resources in which we use. It is great knowing there are online sites available that have already filtered copyright issues is of great support. Given our digital age, copyright has always been a gray area with information being so easily accessible for students. Students must understand that copyright goes beyond just copying an author's text. The online module has given me an opportunity to reflect on my past practices of copyright instruction to my students and will challenge me in the future to provide them with more information regarding copyright issues. Beyond just a general warning, students must learn the implications and and nature of copyright laws. It is good to know that teachers are given some leniency and power while using resources in the classroom, but that the freedom to use them must be carefully protected.

I was happy to see the section on copyright as I always have questions in regard to this and never seem to find the answers from others. When I enter the teaching field again and have access to the online AEA resources I am thrilled to be able to use them. It will be so nice to be able to go to a place where I will be able to feel safe with what it is that I am using in the classroom and the means in which I am using the material. I like the thought that especially when it comes to clip art I have a safe haven that I can look these items up on. I also think that this is a great resource to use with students on helping them to understand copyright issues. It is wonderful that with such time constraints educators have a place to go that has already done all the hard work for them and provided the filtered material. In the future I will do my searches through the AEA as opposed to through the web.

After completing the Copyright module I feel I have a much better understanding of copyright and creative commons.  I realize now that there are some things I was doing that were not ok and need to be changed, not only for the legal purposed, but also to set a good example for my students.  I realized that there less restrictions in some areas than I thought.  This really is a hard thing because there is so much that is accessible to us students and parent.  Honestly, I don’t think we really do a good job teaching the students about copyright.  It is one of those things that we should be doing more of, but where and who?  I see now that the answer to that is all of us, and all of the time.  I now have a better understanding of what I can and cannot do and will be more carful on what I use and what I let my students do.  It needs to be a priority.  The AEA resources has done the work for us so we just need to take advantage of it.

I am really glad there was a module on Copyright! I do have a better understanding now of copyright and Fair Use! I am relieved to know I am not as restricted as I thought I was for classroom use. It's interesting because I don't let my students use Google to find information, but I use it for quick answers. I had one on-line resource I relied heavily on for my students because I knew it was safe. Now after this class I will point my students to using the many on-line resources available through the AEA site. I know it is safe, it is researched, it is designed specifically for education purposes. Why have I not used it more? Now I will and I will be sharing with my co-workers!!

The copyright module was a great refresher for me as a music teacher.  We often talk in conferences about what is legal and what is not in regards to making copies in our classrooms.  As music is very expensive, it is scary to send originals home with students to practice on.  Often, students can take home a copy of their music to practice with and then return at the end of the unit so that the copy can be recycled.  Otherwise if a piece of music goes missing, the entire song is not able to be used unless you want to purchase a new one for $80 or more.  I hope that many music educators in Iowa (and other states!!) review the copyright  laws frequently so that we are properly using the musical resources available to us in our classrooms.

As a music teacher, I have to be careful about how I use resources found online and model ethical behavior. Obviously, there are temptations there in regards to music. However, if I own an mp3, I know that I can use that in class for educational purposes. But I cannot share it with students or make copies. I think Creative Commons is brilliant. I’ve seen the symbol on occasion but did not know what it meant. I’m currently looking into SoundCloud because I may have students who would want to create some music and upload it. I think that would be exciting.  One of my main frustrations during the school year is when I’m looking for images to put in programs or newsletters. I find just the right photo in my Google search but there is a huge watermark on it. Now, with all of these resources, I’m sure that I can find what I’m looking for and be sure that I can use it legally. It’s also easy to choose the right size for my needs.

Before taking this class I did not know very much about copyright issues.  I would go to Google and use what I searched for (pictures, information, etc.) without giving any thought to breaking any copyright rules and restrictions.  It is good to be made more aware of my options and my student's options.  Some of the information is still a little confusing to me.  For instance, a library material can be checked out and used for classroom use but maybe not sent home for a student who missed class.  I think there is still information that I would need to review if I were to use anything off of the internet for my classroom.  That is why it is good to know that I can use the items off of the AEA website.  I don't have to wonder if it is legal to use their video clips, audio clips, books, or research information.  I will use Iowa AEA Online without question if I want to share something in a classroom and will also direct my students to do the same.  

One of the first ways that my view of copyright has changed is that, in the classroom setting, there is a great deal of "leeway" that is given to educators for the purpose of educating students.  However, it isn't limitless.  One of the biggest things I think of is the numerous amounts of times students have turned in work, i.e. power points or other projects that now thinking back was clearly using copyrighted material.  

Having taken this self paced course and several others that all address the issues of copyright and fair usage, I plan to expose students to resources such as iclipart and soundzabound and the AP site so as to help students make good choices and what is and isn't okay to use in their submissions.

I need to take a closer look at how I use video and what I post to students in regards to reading materials that I have picked up and borrowed over the 15 years I have been in education.  Amongst what I include in my lecture notes and power points and whether I am using copyrighted materials that fair usage isn't applying etc.

Copyright use to be easier to understand, but with the influx of the digital age now, it can be downright confusing and scary.  A huge thank you to AEA in taking on this highly sensitive and serious area of copyright!  What a stress reliever for educators.  Just stick with AEA online resources and you're good to go, no second thoughts.  

By taking this online course, I discovered more innovative tools such as TEACH Act, Creative Common and Classroom Use.  With Google Chrome being our main browser in school, I will now be using the Advanced search option.  

During those times when I venture outside the AEA online resouces, I will need to be more alert about the copyright issues regarding what I'm researching.  

 

Copyright infractions were never much of a concern for me personally. Any film or song I play in class always ties in with whatever lesson I’m currently exploring with my class. I’ve no patience with showing a film to fill time, but showing clips to capture a particular idea we’re exploring, or leading my creative writing class through The Sting, for example, stopping and starting and re-watching segments to discuss character development or dialogue or the means tension is established between characters, is not uncommon for me. I wasn’t aware that what I was doing was called “Fair Use.”

However, I do have a project that I have the students do where they often grab snippets from other videos from YouTube and string them altogether to explore whatever subject they may be exploring, and I’ve never been comfortable with that. The material available on AEA Online should allow them to focus down on material that they can comfortably use (maybe it’s only my comfort I’m concerned about).

Also, I have to be honest, the professionalism inherent in using AEA Online, as opposed to the wild-and-woolly Google, I think, will help the students take the subject matter and project more seriously.

Copyright has always been a bit of an enigma.  I discovered a few years back with a visually impaired student that I could make significant enlargements for his adaptations/modifications.  However that doesn't always apply to all disabilities and materials.  That being said, if I can purchase multiple copies of materials I do, If I can't I do my best  to investigate and follow copyright laws.  Just as an FYI this also applies to standardized testing materials.   n the past I had to receive special permission form Iowa testing to make modifications and return the "copied" testing material to the Director of SpEd to shred.
I am very pleased to have learned about Creative Commons. This was a whole new are of opportunities for me.  I had never heard of it before, Public Domain sure, but I didn't realize Creative Commons existed.
I intend to investigate the options of creative commons more.  Today(7-28-15) for example is the 150th anniversary of Alice in Wonderland, and there were all sort s of really cool things on the website. I am going to search for texts that I am going to read aloud to my students this year to find supplemental information specific to the text I am sharing.
I will continue to do my best to not break copyright laws, but I also believe that I have discovered a lot of additional freedoms and venues to get material into the hands of my students.

I have been a math teacher for the last 26 years and must admit that I have not worried about copyright as much as I should have.  Over the last couple years, I have incorporated more project based learning into my classes, which has made copyright laws more applicable to the work that students do in my classes.  I am thankful for the resources available through aea online and will be using these often in the future.  I will definitely steer students toward these resources in the future and use them when planning lessons. I will be working as an instructional coach in a variety of classrooms this school year and will be working with a variety of teachers.   I think I had a general understanding of some of the copyright laws, but now have a much better understanding and feel that I have enough knowledge to discuss this topic with the teachers I will be working with and their students.  I feel that we need to make sure we teach this  topic to our students and lead by example.  I find that many students don't have any problem with copying music or movies that are copyrighted, so it might be a good idea to invite an author or musician into the classroom to explain how unauthorized use of music or movies has a direct affect on their lives.  Because many students don't have the "moral compass" to direct them away from unauthorized use, I would try to get the author or musician to make a personal connection with my students.

     Our copyright compliance team at school has been very informative over the years.   After reading the information provided by the online course, I feel less concerned that teachers might be abusing the copyright laws by simply starting our searches for ClipArt or book resources, lesson plans or kid-friendly information by beginning at the IOWA AEA ONLINE website.  I may even set my browser home page to IOWA AEA ONLINE now that I have the passwords saved in my computer!  Without the hours of practice and specific knowledge provided here, I was inept when it came to utilizing this valuable resource.
     Copyright law infringement will not concern me as much this year, knowing the right avenue to get through the internet begins with the IOWA AEA ONLINE site. I plan to share this resource with our families of young students.   In the past, i felt most of what is offered here was meant for upper elementary - high school students.  
     My biggest concern with YouTube videos, or clip art searches was the inappropriate content that could slip through the school's filter.  Now I can rest assured that these problems are going to be alleviated.  

SIDE NOTE COMMENT: I appreciated knowing the dollar/per student amount that just one resource, BOOKFLIX, would cost without the AEA support!  What a difference this would cost make to our families of our rural Iowa schools!  Thank you!