Issues of Copyright

Our world and multitudes of classrooms across our nation are embracing modern digital advances to aid in communication and learning. But navigating these avenues as a responsible reader and researcher can be challenging. Generally it is difficult for teachers and students to know “what is appropriate behavior and proper form when engaged in academic projects such as writing papers [and] doing research” (Diaz, Mitrano & Christoph, 2009).

For starters it might be important to properly define the term in discussion, copyright. The word copyright is recognized as “the legal right granted to an author, a composer, a playwright, a publisher, or a distributor to exclusive publication, production, sale, or distribution of a literary, musical, dramatic, or artistic work” (“The Educational CyberPlayGround, Inc.” n.d.). In the education world these mediums range from books, newspapers, and online articles to movies, songs, and even dances.

As educators we research the web to find enticing and engaging material to show our students, relating to each of our content areas. Also as educators we require our students to research the web to find resources for essays, pictures to upload to their blogs, songs to compile for a creative project, and so much more. Unfortunately for teachers, “many educational materials run the risk of inadvertently violating copyrights” (Marshall, 2008). Even further, student efforts to cite their work in an academically honest manner still infringes on copyright law (Diaz, Mitrano & Christoph, 2009).

So how cautious are we, really, of copyright infringement in our classrooms and with our students? Maybe it’s time for teachers to step up and acknowledge copyright laws in their classrooms. Websites like “CreativeCommons” can aid teachers in exposing the rules of copyright and show how to properly use and cite someone else’s work. Not only that, but “Creative Commons” also helps users obtain a copyright license and tools for work of their own. Imagine letting students publish a paper or blog online that allows other users to refer to it in their paper or blog! Students could take pride in the work that they do in class and even be encouraged to copyright other works they have created. The world of possibilities would be endless (“About”, n.d).

Teaching students about copyright law is a teacher’s obligation. We need to show students firsthand how to be responsible internet users. But it is no secret that obtaining a full bank of knowledge on the subject of copyright laws can be challenging, especially on top of lesson planning, grading, communicating with students and families, and many other teacher duties that are required each and every day. I think it should be the responsibility of the state, district education officials, and school principals to ensure that their teachers are familiar with issues of copyright. It would be extremely helpful to send out weekly newsletters concerning copyright laws and ways to teach these rules to the students or to even host a district-wide copyright conference for teachers.

Copyright is a very muddled and tricky subject. Let’s begin a quest to educate our students by learning more about copyright law ourselves!