Copyright Laws

Understanding and following copyright and fair use rules is important because for one thing, it's the law. Secondly, it is respect for the original creators of the work. The laws were created to protect the publisher of a piece of work. This is important to remember because, if you spent a long time and alot of hard work writing a book, then you probably want the credit for it. Without these laws, other people could claim it as there own and there would be nothing you could do about it. I think that I would bring this point up in class. Possibly even create an activity where students could see first hand what it would be like to spend time working on something, and another person receive credit for the piece.

Online safety and cyberbullying are not necessarily the same thing; however, they can lead to each other. Being safe can help prevent cyberbullying. We have to help students to understand how to be safe and secure online. We also have to help parents to understand the importance as well. With the world being so involved in technology, and a large part of communication being done the same way, it is important for students to understand the need for politeness. Once you read and interpret something a certain way, it is hard to change that thought. Therefore, it is imperative that students learn about netiquette and how to portray their tone in words. Doing so, will also help with cyberbullying, as a student would be less likely to offend someone.

This weeks activites were extremely eye opening for me. I learned a ton of new information. I began by reading over the first assignment that was 12 pages, and in all honesty, I didn't obtain as much information as I should have. I made a 50 on the quiz. There was so much information, and it just seemed like it was repeating. I have to admit that I really thought I knew and understood copyright laws better than I do. I was very relieved to see the "cheatsheet" and I saved it to my desktop immedietaly. I also saved all of the links from the lecture into my discussion. The quiz is where I felt as though I learned the most. I realized how many details of a situation can determine whether you are breaking the law or not.

What really stood out in my mind, is that, I am about to graduate. I only had one last class to take this semester before internship. I only signed up for this class because I needed another class to qualify for financial aid, and I figured that I might as well choose something that would benefit me in my career. In my entire education, I have never once been informed of all the rules and aspects of copyright laws. I only ever hear it when teacher's discuss citing our work. If it hadn't been for this lesson, I am sure that I would have not known how indepth it can be. After this lesson, I can not honestly say that I have never used copyrighted works in a manner that is unlawful. This is eye opening because if I didn't know I was doing it, I can only imagine what students don't know they are doing.

Resources

Fryer, Wesley. Copyright 101 for Educators. 2003. Retrieved September 29, 2010. http://www.wtvi.com/TEKS/02_03_articles/copyright.html

Carnell, John. Bullying UK.  Retrieved September 29, 2010. http://www.bullying.co.uk/

CopyRight Quiz. Retrieved September 29, 2010. http://www.csus.edu/indiv/p/peachj/edte230/copyright/quiz.htm

Joilet, Francis. A Visit to Copyright Bay. 2002. Retrieved September 29, 2010. http://www.stfrancis.edu/cid/copyrightbay/index.htm

U.S. Copyright Office. Copyright. 2010. Retrieved September 29, 2010. http://www.copyright.gov/