Staying on the Right Side of the Law: A Teacher's Guide to Copyright Laws

As new technologies emerge, copyright laws seem to become more and more foggy. The Internet allows for easy, quick download of software, music, video, photos and written work. As a teacher one is ethically and morally obligated to walk the high road and ensure proper use of published works. Wading through the logistics of copyright laws can be overwhelming. The following are some links to websites that offer guidelines for educators as to what is and is not O.K. to duplicate for classroom use.
Resources:
http://home.earthlink.net/~cnew/research.htm
http://www.edu-cyberpg.com/Teachers/copyrightlaw.html
http://fairuse.stanford.edu/
http://www.cas.usf.edu/english/walker/papers/copyright/ipdummie.html
(provides activities to test your copyright knowledge)
http://creativecommons.org/
http://www.loc.gov/copyright/title17/92chap1.html

Did you know.....
....Only T.V. shows that are broadcast to the public can be taped for use in the classroom and those tapes can only be used in the classroom for 10 consecutive days after the tape is made.
....Media is available on the web that bears a Creative Commons copyright, which strips away some of the rights reserved under a typical copyright. By clicking on the Creative Commons logo found on a work, you can easily view permitted and un-permitted use of that work.
....Unless clearly stated otherwise, it is illegal to copy from a workbook and distribute the copies to your class.

Life Continues to Fascinate

Bombardier beetles store hydroquinone and hydrogen peroxide separately. When threatened, these chemicals are squirted through 2 tubes, where they are mixed along with small amounts of catalytic enzymes. At this point, the chemicals undergo a violent “exothermic” reaction. The mixed chemicals reach high temperatures and some of the bad smelling liquid becomes gas and is expelled with a loud pop! This defense is fatal to attacking insects and small animals and is painful to humans.
For more information about the bombardier beetle and other amazing insects check out For Love of
Insects by Dr. Thomas Eisner.

Interested in Integrating Technology into The Classroom?

The following websites are great resources for learning about available technologies and their applications in education. All of these sites provide the opportunity for their members to network and explore applicable peer reviewed articles, attend conferences and stay up to date on current trends in Educational Technology.

Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE): http://www.aace.org/
This organization focuses on the improvement of learning and teaching at all levels with information technology. This goal is accomplished through publications, conferences and inter-organizational projects. This website also offers a Digital Library with a list of publications and abstracts of relevant peer reviewed articles. For it's members AACE offers discounts on journal subscriptions and conference registration in addition to the many opportunities to network and collaborate.

Association for Educational Communications & Technology (AECT): http://www.aect.org/default.asp
This organization focuses on the promotion of scholarship in the production and use of technologies in education. Again this organization is non-profit and provides networking opportunities and up to date information about educational technologies. One great resource I found on this page was Emerging Perspectives on Learning, Teaching, & Technology . This text is readily available for use in classrooms thanks to Creative Commons

International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE):
http://www.iste.org/
This non-profit aims to improve teaching and learning by improving the use of technology in education through leadership, service and guidance. This organization is home to National Education Technology Standards (NETS), Center for Applied Research in Educational Technology (CARET), and National Educational Computing Conference (NECC).

International Test & Evaluation Association (ITEA):
http://www.itea.org/
This non-profit organization works to expand the discussion of technologies in regards to test & evaluation. The members of this organization are involved in the assessment of the effectiveness, reliability & safety of existing technology systems. This is a great resource for learning about which software programs are working well and may easily be incorporated into a classroom, and which programs are more difficult for the user and may do more harm than good in the classroom. This site also provides a "Tech Tips" section, which provides a variety of current topics.

Who Am I ?

I have recently received my Teaching License from the State of Colorado and am endorsed in Science. I student taught at Durango High School and instructed classes in Biology and Conceptual Chemistry. I have a Bachelor's degree in Wildlife Biology and have an insatiable interest in all things living. In addition, I love art and creativity. I see the art and beauty in all things living and strive to mesh artistic creativity with science.
My future blogs and links will focus on resources for educators, interesting facts about a variety of organisms and unique ways in which to engage students in the study of Biology, Ecology and Environmental Education.