Copyright, Fair use, and Online Safety

As technology continues to grow in popularity as well as accessibility, the internet is frequently the preferred means of finding and sharing information for both students and teachers. And why shouldn't it be? Almost everything can be quickly and easily found  and shared online now a days; from music to video clips to lesson plans, today's students and teachers have access to a wealth of digital enrichments unlike ever before. It is important to remember that although the internet enables easy sharing, we must act ethically when incorporating copyrighted materials into our lesson plans. It is also extremely important to educate students about copyright and fair use guidelines both for ethical reasons and to protect them from potential lawsuits. It is just as important to hold our students accountable for this information as it is to teach them about plagiarism. I found this link to be very useful in helping to simplify copyright guidelines for students. I feel that this would be a good link to include on a school library or class website. 

Almost every parent and/or educator I know is aware of the potential dangers involved in children's use online media. Without appropriate protections, children can accidentally access inappropriate, harmful or disturbing media. In addition to the need to monitor internet use, students are now accessing social media and chat rooms which can leave them open to potential cyber bullying and child predators. Teachers and School Districts are requiring more and more use of technology in education and, while this use is necessary, exciting, and beneficial, it also comes with a new set of problems and a high level of responsibility. If we utilize the internet and other technology in our teaching (and we should), then we must teach our students to use these resources appropriately and safely. I think that every school should hold parent workshops each year to inform families of the latest trends and potential risks their children face when using the internet and social media. I also feel that it is easy and important to incorporate cyber safety lessons into everyday technology use in the classroom.