Friday, September 17, 2010

Computer Ethics

It is very confusing to educators and students exactly what is and what is not allowed by law with regards to copyright and fair use. Respect for ownership and privacy are considerations that need to be examined when using copy written material. Copyright laws “are designed to protect the intellectual property of authors, artists, filmmakers, web designers, etc. so that their own work isn’t stolen for someone else’s profit”. However, under Section 107 of the copyright laws, fair use is allowed for use in the educational arena.
Educators face many issues when using technology in the classroom. They must respect ethical laws when using computers, software, and the internet. The problem is, what is lawful, and what is not. “Educators lack the knowledge about Fair Use laws and policies” according to the article. Professional development can help teachers by clearly outlining which products and websites are acceptable in the classroom, the type of use etc. Copying material also requires guidance. For example, a teacher may copy original legally acquired material to be used by students, but cannot widely distribute this material.

1 comment:

  1. Your powerpoint is great! I really enjoyed reading your blog and gaining more knowledge about fair use.

    Lindsey

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