Ethical Use of Digital Media

ETHICAL CLASSROOM USE OF DIGITAL MEDIA

After researching and investigating ethical uses of digital media based on copyrights, permission and laws I have a new perspective on digital media use in the classroom. I never realized how extremely careful teachers have to be when using materials of any kind that are not their originals. I also realized how many teachers do not use good ethical use of digital media and according to the readings, they are constantly breaking the rules. This taught me how to incorporate it throughout classroom curriculum and stay out of trouble when using it!

RESPECT FOR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Everyone's creativity and hard work should be respected and not stolen.  This applies to works of all creators, even the students in your classroom.Once something is made public, it is now published and that person who created it has ownership. However, digital media is often reproduced and this is not only ethically wrong but also wrong by law. We must have respect for the work and personal expression of others in digital environments. 

DIFFERENT DIGITAL MATERIALS ETHICS

VIDEOS/ GAMES/ PICTURES

When using videos in the classroom teachers should get permission or licenses. Do not show full length feature films in the classroom because it is considered a public viewing. In order to show a full length entertainment movie a teacher needs permission from copyright owner. Computer games can not be copied and distributed without permission from company. Pictures with copyrights or that are not offered free may not be taken and put into lessons.

 

AVOIDING COPYRIGHT VIOLATIONS

How to ensure copyright is not violated in your classroom by students & teachers!

Be the example for your students! When presenting power points, videos or any other form of media make sure you go over the cited sources at the beginning or the end. This will show students what you expect them to do by being an example for them to follow.There are so many times where teachers think citing pictures and resources are not necessary but they are! Teachers need to encourage students to be honest and respectful by citing someone's written work or pictures. Make sure you teach lessons on academic honesty and proper ways to cite information. Ways to check student academic honesty is through programs that check originality such as www.turnitin.com.

Violations of authorial integrity

Manipulation

Plagiarism

Unauthorized access

Copyright violations 

As teachers we should cite what is borrowed and share what is ours!

Resources

http://www.saramatthews.com/copyright_bottom.shtm

http://www.clipartpal.com/clipart_pd/education/teacher_12106.html

http://www.troyinsurancegroup.com/how-lenders-commonly-violate-state-insurance-law

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