Copyright and Education

With the increasing use of technology comes gray areas of copyright law. It seems that as a society we are able to create new technologies faster than we are able to make laws on their proper use. When using books for research papers you cite sources but now you can borrow all kinds of material. Video and audio clips, writings and pictures are now more accessible than they ever were before. This opens up our possibilities as educators and makes for more creative and exciting teaching. However, it appears that we haven't yet gotten a handle on copyright in regards to these new uses. As teachers we have a responsibility to learn the current protcol for borrowing and using all kinds of elements from the web so that we are able to educate our students in how they should be properly used. There is a need for workshops and professional development to educate teachers on the laws of copyright so that they are aware of what is legal and what is not. In knowing the law, teachers are then able to implement technology without worry of copyright regulations because they are fully aware of the rules involved. It is only when teachers are well educated on the topic that students will become well versed and comfortable using new technnology appropriately.