Copyright

I find it very surprising that teachers are unable to use Videos in their classroom with ease. There are so many different rules and regulations that teachers must follow in the classroom in order to avoid infringing on copyright. It also surprises me that teachers need to go to someone else in order to get their materials if trying to use a copyrighted video or show. I find it shocking that teachers are not allowed to show videos to more than just one class. They are also not allowed to show videos for recreation. According to fair use, teachers must have a reason for showing the film to their class; it must be related to what the students are learning within the classroom.

                I have observed copyright laws being violated in many schools. When I was a student in elementary school, we always watched videos with other classes. We also watched films as a reward that had nothing to do with what we were learning in class. When I used to work in an elementary school, students throughout the entire school were shown a movie as a reward. The film was showed in the cafeteria and the students were allowed to watch it for having good behavior.

                Outside of the school environment, people infringe upon copyright all the time. Students especially frequently do not cite all their sources, or plagiarize, even though they know it is unlawful. In the work environment, employees or employers can show a video to a group of people, as an example of something. This group of people may not be learning anything in relation to the video. People also steal music through various sites so that they do not have to pay any money for the music.

                It is definitely our job as teachers to teach copyright respect to our students. It is critical at a young age that students learn that they must site any information or sources that they are using in projects or papers. Just as students do not want their peers cheating off their papers, others do not want their information taken without being given credit. Teachers can demonstrate how important copyright is to their students. For example, if a teacher uses a PowerPoint that they did not create, they should site where or whom they got the PowerPoint. Finally, you can ask your students where they get their information. If the students are required to look up any information for any projects, make sure to teach the students how properly to site their sources. It is also important that teachers stress the importance of copyright and what it is.