Copyright, Fair Use & Online Safety

Copy Right & Fair Use for Students

It is our jobs as educators to set an example for students to share our knowledge to students about fair use and copyrights.  A lot of detail can get a little confusing, even for an adult. Even though there is so much more to copyrights I have always said to myself don't use it if it is not yours and give credit to who ever came up with the ideas you are sharing.  I think the best way to explain copyrights to young children is telling them to think about cheating on a test or turning in work that someone else did.  Ask your students how they would feel if someone stole their hard work and turned it in without giving them any kind of credit. 

The number one way to teach this important issue today is by setting good examples for your students and fellow teachers by respecting copyrights and by following the fair use rules.

Cyber Safety

 This is the number one and most important topic to teach to our  students and even our parents. It amazes me how even adults neglect safe use of the internet.  It is so easy to even put our children in danger when using the internet.  Posting pictures to the web like on Facebook or Twitter can be very dangerous when not being cautious of how your images are being shared.  Predators are now able to locate you and your loved ones through your posts and the posts of your pictures.  Teachers need to be especially cautious if ever using photos of their students.  We always need to have permission from parents before sharing images anywhere.  Friends may not appreciate you posting pictures either, SO ALWAYS ASK FOR PERMISSION!  

• Know how your personal information is being shared by checking settings on your computer and online accounts. (Location tracking & who is allowed to see posts and pictures) 
• Never share your personal information with strangers. 
• Change your passwords regularly for all your accounts 
• Know what sites your children and students are visiting.
• Set limitations on your computer for what websites are available to young users.
• Teach students about cyber safety!!!

 Don't know where to start? Click on the link below. It's a great tool for teacher and parents to use when teaching children about cyber safety.

http://www.netsmartz.org/

Netiquette

Yes, there is proper etiquette for the internet! Do you share that your mother cheated on her diet last night? Do you post pictures of your friends picking their nose without them knowing? Well that is just RUDE!!!! I think netiquette goes really well when trying to avoid cyber bullying.  Following proper netiquette can keep you and others out of harms way.  The first thing to think about before sharing something online is to think if what I am about to share would hurt someones feelings.  Would your mama be proud of what you just posted?  Could this possibly get you fired if your boss sees?  Following the basic netiquette guidelines can protect you and others from cyber bullying as well.  

Teach your students and friends about netiquette!

Boston Public Library Netiquette for Kids, 2001 at http://www.bpl.org/kids/learn/netiquette-for-kids/

Cyber bullying

We all know that bullying is no fun and especially when it is happening to you.  Cyber bullying is taking bullying to the next level with the use of the internet. It is enough just being picked on in the classroom at school so, imagine it being magnified where even parents and strangers have been able to join in the bullying.  As teachers we need to be aware of any type of bullying going on in our schools and we should never ignore it. Some cases of bullying and cyber bullying can turn into a matter of life and death.  No one likes to be picked on so we shouldn't pick on others.  AGAIN, always put yourself in that other person's shoes before sharing information about them, using their work, and if what you might be sharing could hurt this person in any way at all. 

Nip all bullying in the bud! Please educate yourself and your students on cyber bullying.  You could be saving someones life. 

I really liked this link shared for our blogging assignment.  It was very clear and helpful.  Would be great to use in a classroom and when teaching parents about cyber bullying.

http://www.bullying.co.uk/

Summary of what I learned this week

I think I knew a lot of what the topic was about this week except about the copyrights.  There are so many specifics when it comes to copyrights and when it is okay to use something.  I really liked how one of websites linked for copyrights said it's not always about money when it comes to using other people's work, it's simply and for the most part just giving them the credit they deserve.  Net safety, cyber bullying, and netiquette are really important things to discuss with our children.  Everyone should be aware of the proper and safe ways to use the internet because even adults find themselves in trouble when not using proper safety and etiquette online.  Teachers always need to be the example in the class and on the street. We are will be who these children see for most of the week. What we do and how we act has a huge impact in their lives.  We gotta' protect these kiddos.