Copyright

I was shocked to read all that I read about copyright. I did not realize that there were so many rules and regulations regarding copyrighting. I always see the warnings when watching DVDs about not copying the DVD becasue it is illegal and you can get in a lot of trouble. But it never really occurred to me that these rules applied when using materials in the classroom. I understand the concept of fair use but the readings for this class were the first time I have ever heard about fair use.

Playing the jeopordy was very useful for me in learning about copyrighting. The rulings of some of the court cases surprised me. I think the concept that suprised me the most was that if schools are going to show a movie in school, they must pay to get a license. I thought it was neat to learn that everytime I write something, it automatically becomes copyrighted. Which I think is really nice. I spend a lot of time and energy into writing lesson plans and it is nice to know that they are protected under the copyright law so that someone else can't take them and claim them as their own.

I have observed copyrighting being violated many times and in many ways. I know people who burn DVDs and CDs that are copyrighted. I know people that illegally download music without paying for it. I also know an organization that shows a movie a few times a year without purchasing a license.  I have not witnessed violation of copyright laws in any schools.

I believe that it is the teacher's right to teach their students about copyright. Teachers spend a lot of time teaching about plagarism and copyright goes right along side with plagarism so that is a wonderful teaching opportunity to teach students about copyright. I would not go in depth with them about all the laws and ligistics but I would give them a simple version so that they understand and take copyright law very serious. I do not think that college should be the first time copyright law is taught, emphasized and has time devoted to teaching and learning copyright law.