Social and Ethical Issues In Technology

Copyright Infringement

At the very end of class today, a comment was made about copyright and intellectual property. For the sake of time, we did not discuss the comment further, but I think that the idea of copyright is one of the most important issues that will come up with increased use of technology, both in the classroom and everywhere. Teachers have always made light of copyright laws: Photocopying work sheets, recording videos from the library, etc., with the idea that breaking copyright law for the pursuit of education isn't that bad. Although it has always happened, the availability of materials and property on the Internet is so immense, that the scale on which copyright infringement is occurring is extraordinary. File-sharing networks, YouTube, easy access to images on Google: All of these resources can enhance education...while making teachers into criminals. Many teachers may use materials that they do not even realize have been illegally attained. They may use images in ways that the author/owner/creator did not intend, and mass distribute it to their students. The subject of intellectual property encompasses so much, including music, images, videos, all items that teachers can use to make their classes more stimulating and interesting to the 21st century child. The availability of materials on the Internet, and the new prospect of "sharing," which has really helped to define the Web 2.0 movement, is forcing legal minds and consumers to rething the idea of copyright. I am not sure what I think about it yet. I know that the amount of money that artists and creators can make on the Internet is enormous, and that stealing access, for whatever purpose, is still stealing. I also know, however, that the pursuit of education, and access to intellectual property, should be the intellectual freedom of every child. Hopefully, I will learn more about copyright law, in order to make sure that I am modelling the ethical use of Internet materials to my students, as well as to my colleagues.