Week One comments on other's blogs Part TWO

Copyright

As a media specialist, I had to become a type of guru on copyright laws.  With information at the tip of our fingers, copyright information needs to be more prominently discussed then ever before.  Almost on a daily basis I discuss copyright laws with my high school students as they live in a world of copy and paste. Too many times I have stopped a student from copying and pasting without giving credit where credit is due.  It has been a big issue in the high school when students create a project and add their favorite songs to them.  Ever year for pre-planning I review copyright basics with my teachers to review and answer many of their own questions concerning if they are ok to use pieces of books, movies, music and such.   To keep the school on the right side of the video copyright issues that plagued schools, I purchase a movie license ever year so we can use videos at the school over the close circuit system.  One main concern that I hear from teachers is if a video, movie or show could be recorded and shown in the classroom without infringing on copyright laws.  This is a gray area as educators can record an educational show from certain channels as long as it is done at the school and destroyed after a short period of time.  There are many gray areas when it comes to education and our district has a full team of people that work to keep us up to date and answer any questions or concerns we come across when it comes to copyrights. 

Hey Lorie,
I feel that copyright laws are similar to speeding laws. As long as you don't go ten miles over the limit, you are 90 % safe...except in South Carolina. There are zillions of small fish (copyright infringements), but we should only worry about the big ones. Sorry if my opinion in this matter is irreverent. I respect and adhere to copyright laws.