Copyright

This week we had the privilege of learning about Copyright and everything that goes along with it. My school district has been in hot water, to day the least, when it comes to copyright so I was particularly interested in learning about this multi-million dollar sensitive topic. It also reminded me of when I got in trouble for illegally downloading a song from Lime Wire and had to go see Peggy Scott, our campus Judge. Talk about terrified. In class, you taught us about your expectations when it comes to citing and went more in depth about our week 5 project. We also talked about how long copyrights last about our case studies for this week. A couple of takeaways I got from class and from the readings is to assume you've thought of nothing on your own and that someone has already thought of it and put it out into the universe. If I had to give a suggestion, I would ask that Shunitra limit her talking time. We meet super late and often times I feel as if she prolongs class with personal banter that doesn't add quality to class.

When I started teaching 9 years ago, there wasn't as much access to online material to enhance my teaching and my student's learning. I was fresh out of college and was used to creating everything myself. Stations, assessments, assignments, you name it. I also did most of my college internships in a charter school and my first job was also at a charter school so funds and resources were limited. Until I was introduced to teacher's pay teachers.

Teachers pay teachers and other subsequent websites allowed me to find updated resources for my scholars that I didn't have to make myself. Which saved time and in the long run money, oddly enough. I would often find myself having to toss the materials I created once they were outdated but when using online resources, the creator often updates the materials to keep them current. This allowed for more intentional teaching and enhances the learning of the content I taught in class. One thing when using resources found in workbooks, online or from your neighbors' class, is that you have to remain aware of fair use and copyright laws.

Because most of our information and resources are found on the internet, it is imperative to read the copyright infringement laws and understand fair use. My school district in the past couple of years has made a valiant effort to teach us about the ramifications of misusing intellectual property and copywritten material. Copywritten material can only enhance the teaching and learning process if it is used legally, if not use legally, it can result in job loss, budget cuts and lawsuits. Students should also be taught about copyrights, so they don't make the same mistake I did in college with illegally downloading music. I had to attend court, and if I was caught again, I could cause my university to be sued and I could have been expelled from college. I never want anyone to get in trouble the way I could have. So that's why its important to not only teach and model how to use copyright material appropriately but also teach students about the consequences if you don't. Ive also learned the meaning of a few key words in regard to this week's lessons:

Plagiarism is when you copy or paraphrase someone else's work without giving them credit. So for example if Lucy copied the work word for word of Steven and turned it in without citing him, that would be plagiarism.
Copyright infringement is when you use material that is copyrighted without the person of the person or company who own the copyright. So Sara cannot make a shirt with the Nike symbol on it or I can't fashion my team motto after a copyrighted slogan without the option of penalty from the company/law. Attribution is giving credit where credit is due. Attribution can be seen when art galleries or restaurants give credit to the author of the painting or the sculpture that is being presented. Transformation is when you take the basis of someone else work and alter it to fit your own motive. So if I took the iconic Campbell soup can pop art by Andy Warhol and changed up the colors, images or theme that would be transformation.