EDUC 639 Week 5: The Muddiest Point: We are wallowing in the dirty truth!
"I am running out of time to get ready for my 6th period class. Oh, here is something I can use. Click, drag, copy, paste.....okay that looks good. I'll just come up with some directions for a short written response, add a few empty lines for them to write on, and perfect! I am finished with my handout. I need 60 copies pronto."
Any of that conversation sound familiar? It certainly does to me....many times over. I know I am not alone. Are teachers bent on breaking copyright laws? Or ignorant about copyright infringements? I can only answer for myself, but I must admit I have been ignorant of copyright infringements for many years. Gradually I became more aware, thanks to a school librarian who would tell me "no" if I asked her to tape something or copy a story. I became more interested in the process and I find myself still learning. According to my trusty ol' dictionary, the word "wallowing" is exactly what was happening in the copyright realm. "Definition #3---to devote oneself entirely; esp. to take unrestrained pleasure," (Webster's, 1975, p. 1317). That is exactly what I was doing. I was thrilled to find something unique and different to use for my teaching. The principal did not have to shell out precious money from the book fund, and in the eyes of my students, I was a cool and innovative teacher for whom they wanted to learn with great enthusiasm. Okay, that last part may not have happened, but I did find myself copying grand ideas to keep the darlin' babies interested. As awareness of copyright laws became prevalent on every copy machine and at the bottom of every page, internet and otherwise, I realized I had responsibilities for setting an example. If I expected my students to document sources in research papers and speeches, then I had to follow the guidelines of plagiarism, as well. "If so [have increased personal awareness], you have just entered the through-the-looking-glass world of "fair use,"educational purposes, " and other such Cheshire categories that make most of us instructors think twice before we press the start button on a copying machine or even consider showing a videotape in class," (Nilson, 2010, p. 63). I am trying to increase my awareness and quit wallowing in the easy way of "creating" new teaching ideas. As educators, we are being forced to become creative in teaching and here's an idea, THINKING of new activities geared specifically to our own students and school. The thickest mud in the copyright puddle involves teachers standing on our own two feet, recognizing our mistakes, and trudging through until we can be the best of all examples for our students as they face a world already challenged by too much wallowing in the easy way of doing things.
Nilson, L. (2010). Teaching At Its Best, 3rd ed. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass
Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary (1975). Springfield, MA: G. & C. Merriam Company
Krista!
ReplyDeleteYour candor makes me laugh out loud. You are so right! Technology makes it really easy to save money, grab ideas, tweak them and make them our own. Not the best plan....but as you said, we need to keep the little darlin's busy (Nebel, personal correspondence, 2012).
I have posted this to several students, and I think you'll really use it. Here is a great free resource for use with students and parents about being safe online and all things related to copyright. Have fun!
http://www.onguardonline.gov/features/feature-0004-featured-net-cetera-toolkit
Hi Krista,
ReplyDeleteI really like your upbeat tone. I'm sure your students do enjoy your classes and learn from you. I agree that it is hard when we feel we are always "reinventing the wheel." We need to be thankful for great librarians and other staff who help us understand what we can and cannot do.
Hi Krista,
ReplyDeleteI agree with your statement “…I had to follow the guidelines of plagiarism, as well” because our actions can demonstrate what we uphold as ethical. One way to ensure that we are not illegally using the creative works of another is through Creative Commons. Simonson (2012) discusses Creative Commons and this has provided educators a way in which we can use other’s intellectual property that will ensure we do not violate the protected works of others. According to Simonson, educators can use the works licensed under Creative Commons, but the works used must give clear notice of the license (p. 301).
Blessings,
Sarah
Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., and Zvacek, S. (2012). Teaching and learning at a distant: Foundations of distance education, 5th ed., Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.
That example sounds very familiar! Thank you for the post. I agree that it is always so convenient to have so much information at our fingertips as educators. This is true from elementary grade levels up to graduate level courses. I teach kindergarten and I find this to be true at that level as well. I know when developing lesson plans across our grade level we often search for sheets and activities online and do not reference copyright in any of our documents. We sometimes add some things to the sheets in order for it to align with our standards.
ReplyDeleteKrista,
ReplyDeleteYou are completely right. I wrote about the copyright laws as well. This is something that relates to my job and I am unaware of the laws. The videos gave an introduction into some copyright laws, but left me wanting to learn more. Am I breaking any laws on a daily basis? Schools should have professional development seminars on this at the beginning of every year to keep the teachers up to date on the latest information out there. Plus getting a good reminder is helpful.