What in the Copyright World?!

Well, I must say that I have learned as much about Copyright in all my years as I have about thermal-biological warfare.  Nothing.  All I knew was that if you wanted to copyright something then you can and people would be debted to you for whatever it was that you copyrighted.  I was extremely misled.

Not only did I not know the exact laws that governed having material that is copyright, but I also had no idea the ways that we the public can use copyrighted material and not be liable for anything.  It has been extremely informational for me because of the lack of knowledge that I have possessed.  Being someone that has been in several schools that are underfunded, I have seen plenty of copyright laws being broken, and unknowingly.  Plenty of material being copied for the class instead of buying the materials for each student.  Not being allowed to access certain sites unless you had 1 of the persons loggin so that there would not be additional charges to the school.  Another example is the passing off teachers material from teacher to teacher so they do not have to buy the materials themselves for the classes that they teach.

Students need to learn more respect for the laws that govern copyright. In our litigious society, people are getting sued all the time for almost anything.  We need to let them know what is acceptable and what is not.  Being a social studies teacher and teaching our government and the laws that are put in place to protect us, it makes sense for someone like me to touch on this subject.  Informing them why downloading sites can be harmful to them, the need to know what is legal and what is not.  so that they can relate it to their everyday life.

The best way to see this lesson be taught would be through live role playing, and possible debates.  Allow the kids to review certain aspects and put scenarios out for the kids to talk about.  Using the laws only stating their case and proving why they are right.  Once we cover them, tell them the real history behind the case and the rulings so they can learn how this country is built and the freedoms we have exist.