POST #4: Copyright

The module on Copyright opened my eyes and helped me to understand the Copyright Law much better.  I teach high school construction classes to juniors and seniors.  I have often found that it is very hard to find adequate genuine videos for the supplemental learning that are appropriate for use in the class.  We had purchased new safety videos at my previous school in part because the old videos had been copied so many times that you could hardly see the video any more.  I will be going thru the supplemental safety videos and the construction videos in the next few weeks and will be deciding what we can and can’t use.  I will incorporate what I learned from the Copyright module into my decisions on the resources to keep.  I am excited to now have the Iowa AEA resources like Learn 360 available to me so that I can show these Safe Copyrighted videos in my class.  They are all high quality and good supplemental resources for my classes.

Brooke Doyle
After completing the module on copyright, I have a better understanding of copyright law. Copyright is one very confusing topic we often deal with as educators.   Students need to understand copyright as well to property give credit where needed.  In return, since I have a better understanding of copyright, I will be able to relay this information to my students.  Students often forget to accurately identify utilized resources.  I also learned about fair use and classroom use laws.  

After completing the copyright module I feel I have a better understanding of it.  I never really felt copyright was overly restrictive when it came to education materials.  I would like to teach my students a little more about it and this was a very helpful resource.  Students need to know there are important steps they can take to protect themselves in the digital world. They shouldn't be intimidated, but given positive, accurate and important information.  One of the things I would probably do is have our Tech Instructional Coach come in and we could co-teach this concept together.  It would be cool to see how we could cross teach the Constitution and Copyright and how the two directly impact our rights and responsibilities as a citizen.  Oddly enough "Rights and Responsibilities" happen to be 5th Grades overall Social Studies Iowa Core central idea.  It's a win win!

After completing the copyright module for the course I feel more comfortable using copyrighted materials in my classroom. The module really helped solidify what acceptable use is. Before the course I had a basic understanding of fair use, but a very limited understanding of classroom use. I feel more comfortable using copyrighted materials in my classroom now after learning about classroom use in this course. I also feel more comfortable getting images and audio from sources accessible from aeaonline.com because they have been filtered for use. I think this is important for students to use as well, students are so used to googling for images and then assuming the image is useable. By providing them sources from this course they will be able to obtain images and audio as well that fits into fair and classroom use.

After taking this course, I have a better understanding of the copyright laws and how they pertain to classroom use.  AEA offers so many resources that I was not aware of until taking this self-paced course and I will definitely use more of the resources offered by the AEA.  AEA has done the hard work and weeded through the resources, providing only the best for educators, parents, and students. I know the resources are safe to use and will not violate any copyright laws.  I am also sure that the AEA has previewed all of the materials and the materials are safe for student use. The AEA has really made resources easier for educators to use in their classrooms.  I am excited about using more resources from the AEA site!  By using these resources, I won't have to worry about whether or not they are appropriate, educational, or useful.

I have always been very careful with copyright as a musician.  It is very important to understand what can be performed, where it can be performed,and if it can be recorded and shared.  It provides many teachable moments in my classroom when students ask if I can make them a copy of the song we are working on - whether they want it as a burned CD or a paper copy.  That allows me to talk with them about copyright and that I don't have permission to do those things, and if I did I would not only be breaking the law but taking profits from people who have worked hard.  Many of them have never thought of it that way.
The information on creative commons was new to me and very interesting.  I especially found the how to search on google for Creative Common items to be helpful.  I have also bookmarked that search engine.  I will feel much better knowing that I have permission to use an image or clip.

Copyright has been a concern of mine for a long time, especially because older students often get conflicting information from their various instructors about what is okay and what is not when it comes to using material found on the web. It has always seemed ironic to me that a student who would never directly copy something from a book has no qualms about copying and pasting someone else's work from the web and using it as their own. I do not think this is a student problem alone, however, because most of us adults are confused about this topic.

The information presented in this class reinforced my belief that using the AEA online resources made available to students will help students practice taking more responsibility for using another person's ideas, and I really appreciate access to the resources to use when teaching middle school students about plagiarism and using citations. My own students seem resigned to citing articles from the web but really do not seem to understand that cartoons, photographs, etc need the same kind of respect. It is a lot for 11 - 14 year olds to wrap their minds around. Using the AEA resources will help them get into the routine of thinking about where the information they are accessing originated and who should get credit for it without making it so difficult they give up.

I also need to use Creative Commons, and I appreciate the information and reminder about this resource.

I own a  bookkeeping business where I do a lot of consulting with small business owners on how to organize and understand their financials. I spent a lot of time creating my materials (and adding copyright logo) so I can appreciate the importance of people respecting copyrighted material.

It was a good refresher on the various issues on copyright and how educators can stay within the boundaries of Fair Use, TEACH, and Classroom Use.

As someone who is contemplating building a blog for personal use with potential of sharing with the public at a later date, this was a good reminder on what I can and cannot post.

As a published author, I was familiar with some of the information about copyright. But what an author knows about copyright law and what a teacher understands about what she can use in the classroom are really two different things. Add student knowledge of citation into the mix to make it about as complicated as it can get.
So, here's my big takeaway: I can show whatever videos I want to in the confines of my classroom as long as the video is obtained legally. But I shouldn't really do that just because I can.
This was a startling revelation to me. It really reinforced the idea about thoughtful use of media in the classroom. As I was reading the module, I kept thinking about the material I regularly use. I felt affirmed in the choices I have made. I also appreciate the fact that the decision about its appropriateness rests with me; I am the one who will live with the decision and the aftermath.
I also really appreciate knowing that my students can use the information from the various AEA Online sources with full confidence in their credibility. They have access to SIRI through UNI as well, so it will help them make the leap to post-secondary education. Then I can concentrate on citation instruction instead of worrying about the credibility of their sources. Sounds like a win-win.

In the past I have always felt under educated about copyright and therefore aired on the safe side by using less resources. Also, I always remember to cite works of text, but often forget that the same needs to be done for images, audio, and video. This class was a nice reminder about the regulations on all types of media. I plan to teach my students about the image search copyright filter, will use the iClipart, and will use Creative Commons. I also plan to use the copyright lesson on Common Sense Media to help my students get a deeper understanding of copyright. In 5th grade at such a young age, this can be a very confusing subject for students. I also appreciated that most of the AEA resources offer to cite the work for you, which will be very helpful for my students. I plan to teach students the importance of obeying copyright laws at a young age so that they can continue to use this for the rest of their education and life.

I would say my understanding of the copy right law was very limited before I completed the "COPYRIGHT AND FAIR USE" unit.  I did not know there were different criteria to which copy right laws considered like; motive of use, fair use, amount, and affect on potential market.  To me honest I thought if something had a copyright to it such item would be off limits 100%!  I have since learned under some situations a teacher could use some or all of an item depending the criteria mentioned above.  As with most teachers now in the digital age I do use google and youtube to find pictures and movie clips to support lessons.  It is interesting that last year I was using google images  and then later in the day the "view image" was gone!!  I did some research and came to the conclusion it was a copyright issue.  Again I have used Youtube clips and linked them into Canvas our LMS but never checked to see if the ownership of such video was one and the same as the poster.   The amazing thing is now I have resource, AEA Online Resource,  has has taken most of the burden away when dealing with copyright issues.

Copyright infringement is a topic of debate quite frequently at our school.  Teachers use materials found on the web for many resources and usually assume that it is ok to use anything found.  It does seem that many of these ideas may be wrong.  Using images and videos are most common.  The difficulty that I find is getting to the original source to ask permission of use, or confirming that what I want to use has been placed within creative commons.  The Creative Commons search resource is a valuable tool which was part of the on-line learning course and one which I will turn to when questions arise.  
Making copies of activities, worksheets, and other materials for classroom use is something which is usually not discussed, in regards to copyright.  Teachers keep these materials from year to year and continue to use them and make additional copies when needed.  Classroom use gives teachers many freedoms based on educational value and content usage bu.  t I think we need to have a large group discussion related to what can be copied and used under this law.   The district has a training in regards to copyright, but yours goes into more details and offers many resources which will be very good references for future use.  
Student use is minimal at our school.  Unless a teacher has given materials to students within the context of a classroom, they will most likely not have access outside of school to these resources.  We do not give homework and on-line assignments are not given unless completed at school.

Before reading through these materials, I was functioning under an “ignorance is bliss” policy regarding copyright.  I knew it was there and that morally, ethically, I should be applying good practice, but I didn’t really know what that was or how to apply it.  After the require course readings I’ve come to two conclusions: 1) I am doing a fairly good job of following copyright guidelines except 2) the guidelines/rules are so confusing how does anyone really know if they are following copyright guidelines?
I will continue to require my students to give credit to their sources.  Fortunately, the AEA Online Resources make that easy to do.  As I teach them how to use these resources I will emphasis the importance of giving credible to sources and making sure we are within our rights to use them.  My own presentations will model appropriate use and accreditation as well.  
Fortunately I don’t use textbooks, so the most difficult area of educational copyright isn’t an issue for me.  However, I do use one page of the social studies text book. Each student has their copy of the textbook, of course, but we mark up the text and highlight.  I don’t know how else to do that without destroying the textbooks. . .  Will have to find a way to modify that lesson!  

Copyright is definitely confusing.  Prior to this course and the module on “copyright”, I felt like the word copyright meant hands off to most people.  I think the module on copyright in this course did a good job of alleviating some of those fears and misconceptions.  For example, I knew I could show a video in class that had copyright restrictions yet would never consider making a copy of it to a dvd or share it outside of class.  Without going back to view the module again, I still feel like I could get confused about the intricacies of what copyright actually means when it comes to making hard copies of worksheets and other school related items for student use.  I do know that I will be careful and always side on caution when it is something I am unsure of.  After taking this class, I will be more aware of what items I use and where I find them.  Going back to my previous post (#3), I will probably use more AEA resources within my classroom.  

Kristopher

Prior to taking the course I knew very little about the copyright "rules" for materials on the internet. Although there are many materials I used previously in the classroom,  with what I have learned I will be less likely to simply use those materials,  and will select those provided from Iowa AEA Online.   With those materials,  I will have materials I can use in the classroom without the same copyright concerns.   Also,  I was not as aware of the quality and quantity of materials available,  or the teacher resources.

I would agree that there are some things that aren't as restrictive as  I thought.  One of the things I think will be hardest for me and my students is using images from google.  It's so easy to just search a term and find a picture of what you're looking for.  Last night after trying to do post 3, I wasn't able to easily find images all of the time in Clipart that I would have liked.  
I also learned more about youtube and how it's supposed to be for "personal" use.  I use youtube material a lot in my class.  I know that a lot of the material I use has been given permission as it is included in published lesson plans.  

I was glad to see that information on Copyright laws was a part of this course.  My first reaction was that wow, all teachers need to have this presentation as a PD.  The information on Copyright usage and abuse is one that I would like to have available to use as a reference.  Just yesterday, a co-teacher mentioned that we shouldn't show DVD's because we don't have permission to use them in our classrooms.  I was able to put what I felt was a correct response that Classroom Use does allow us to show them.  I did feel like I needed to open a book or information online to provide concrete accuracy for my statement.  
As far as using clipart online, I was glad to know why I had to give my information out, even if the clipart was free. I am now more aware about copying images from clipart sights Our administration has been helpful by contacting companies when needed to make extra copies of materials we have purchased so I know they are diligent in this matter.  Music was an area that was still confusing to me...for example, if I purchased a CD so I could use it for "dance team", it doesn't sound like I am able to do so, especially if I modify the song by shortening it or slowing it down.  If I used the Soundzabound soundtracks, does this allow me to legally use the music for competition, especially in modified versions?  In summary, I am aware of the need to look into each type of "copying" that I would like to do and seek further resources for answers to my questions on Copyright laws.

I wasn't aware of all the rules and how careful one must be in using materials from the internet that are copyrighted.  My role as a para-educator has been to support the teachers lesson plan.  So in the past I had not been aware of how important it was in not violating copyright.  This course has helped me grow in my knowledge in many ways.  I learned that the scope of copyright laws covered a far greater number of documents than I previously aware of, written works, sound recordings and many others that I had not thought of.  I learned that there were time limits on copyrighted materials after which they would go to public domain.  Also I learned certain educational  materials  found on the internet may be used by teachers in the classroom as part of an instructional plan without violating copyright laws, but the  same could not be down loaded for the general public outside of the classroom.  Previous to this course I did not understand Fai Use.  Fair Use is a limitation on Copy Right laws allowing teachers to make copies of internet materials for use in the classroom under certain circumstances.  When a teacher assigns me to make copies of copyrighted materials, I will be sure to follow what I have received from this course.

To be honest, I did not think about copyright very often.  Any materials I used for teaching, I would find, use, and discard.  Taking the copyright module opened my eyes.  There are a lot of resources on AEA online that we as educators do not need to worry about breaking copyright rules and regulations.  

Changes I will make are simple.  I will have my students do their resources through AEA Online.  There are many things they can do.  Also, I won't need to worry about them finding inappropriate materials online while they are researching.

Using resources on AEA online will help me, help my students research accurately and fairly.

My prior understanding as an educator when I thought of copyright was thinking of the guidelines for copying – the “10% or 200 words” rules of thumb. I learned from this module that these truly are guidelines, not the copyright rules, and the true law under Classroom Use and Fair Use are actually a lot less restrictive than I thought.  Before this module, I also had not clearly understood the Creative Commons licenses for permission purposes. I had seen and used the requests for photos, documents, or resources before, but I always assumed that it was part of copyright law explicitly and not a way to give permission within parameters. Moving forward, I will look for CC permission on resources I want to use and think more about Classroom Use and Fair Use more than the arbitrary length guidelines.