Copyright and Fair Use

    What does it mean in the classroom to use Copyright and Fair Use correctly? First we must understand what Copyright and Fair Use are. Copyright are items that we cannot use within the classroom without the permission of the author. Fair Use are the items in the classroom that we can use without permission. There are items that can be used within the classroom due to the fact that they are for nonprofit educational purpose. So can how we apply this to the classroom? We need to model the correct use of Copyright and Fair Use for our students. If we do not model this for our students, how can we expect them to do the same? Any movie clips, music videos, and books need to ask the permisson of the author for use the items. Often times, people say, "What does it matter? Who is going to know?" As a Christian, it does matter. It is stealing to not gain permission from the orignial author. We need to stand out and be different on this topic. We need to hold ourselves to higher standards as educators and as Christians. It is such a stinky situation to put yourself in. My advice, when in doubt, sight it and/or gain permission! Better safe then sorry!

ASSURE Model

    This last week in class, we talked about the ASSURE model for presenting media. By using this model, we can integrate technology into the curriculum and into the classroom. The first step is to Analyze learners. We need to understand who are students are. This step is important because keeping the students you are teaching in mind while planning your lesson will help you find the materials that will fit best for your students. The second step is to state objectives. The students need to know why we are using this material in the curriculum and what they are the outcomes they are to learn. Selecting media and materials is the next step. We need to know what method we want to use in presenting the content. Utilizing the material is the next step and goes hand in hand with selecting. This is where the lesson is taught. We need to also have a back up plan in case the media happens to not work. The final two steps are what is done after the lesson is taught. Requiring learner participation is key. It is important to understand that learning through media cannot take place unless the students are actively participating in the content. The final step is to evaluate and revise. This is key because if we are planning to use this form of media again, we need to know what worked and what did not work. We will also know what engaged the students and if they learned through using the media. Technology and media are important tools that we can use in our classrooms. However, we cannot assume that these tools are going to do the teaching for us. We need to implement into our lessons interactions and ways to assess students after the presentation or media clip. As a teacher, I believe that technology and media are means to help students learn. I do not believe that they are the end in and of themselves, but more so a means to an end. This end product being the learning of the content for the day!