Module 7

Legal and ethical uses of digital information and technologies (February 15-21, 2016)

Course Objectives:

1. Model and facilitate safe, healthy, legal, and ethical uses of digital information and technologies (ISTE 5b)

Module Objectives: 

1. Read and reflect upon copyright, fair use, and new copyright licensing.  
2. Analyze a case related to fair use in an educational setting.  

1) Within educational technology, issues of copyright can be confusing.  Students and educators do have some rights to use copyrighted material within the doctrine of fair use.  What does fair use mean?  Take notes on these two websites as you read.

• The official government explanation of fair use
• An Educator's Guide to Copyright and Fair Use (all five parts) 

2) Some thinkers feel that copyright is an out of date idea that is limiting to the spread of ideas, particularly the types of ideas that are promulgated through collective intelligence.  Because of this, an alternative to copyright has been created and it is called creative commons.  Here, you can put a license on your work that allows for the use, reuse, and remixing of you work as long as you are cited.  This allows others to use your unique ideas without having to contact you directly.  Take notes while you read/watch these explanations of creative commons.

• About creative commons
• Creative commons as it specifically relates to education

3) Write your thoughts on your reflective post and include evidence from the readings this week.

4) For you assignment this week, watch the video below and respond to the questions (also below) as a new blog post.  Your case study should include at least one paragraph on each of these sections:

• Introduction of the problem- What happened regarding fair use in education in this scenario?
• Analysis of the response- Was the Technology Integration Mentor correct in her response to the email the school received?  Provide evidence from your reading this week.  
• Your response- What would you have done if you were the adult in charge in this situation?  You can piggy back on the Technology Integration Mentor's response or compose a completely new one.  Use evidence from your reading this week (other readings from previous weeks may also help).