My Copyright Action Plan

For information of copyrights for educators, I visited http://dese.mo.gov/divimprove/curriculum/copyright/finaldoc.pdf. All this information is based on the Missouri Department of Education. The copyright of videos makes a big difference in the classroom. Teachers and students are only allowed to use them if they are used as an educational source. The video must be relevant to the topic that is being presented. They can't be used as entertainment or as a reward to students. Copies made of the videos are not allowed by teachers or librarians. That makes a difference for me as a teacher, because I have to make sure that the video used in class is educational and relevant and not to just fill up time. Here is an example of what I could do. I can show the movie "The Emperor's New Groove" after learning about Incas and their culture.

It is important as a teacher to know the limitations of multimedia that can be used in a classroom. Things like time, portion, copying, and distribution are good to keep in mind. Teachers are only allowed to use certian media for a time period, usually one to two years. Teachers and students are not allowed to make any copies of the original. Teachers can display or perform their own projects in presentation to the peers. The rules are pretty forward and can easily be broken if there is no attention towards them. To be a teacher of example, it would be smart to check out the limitations of the media that is going to be used. An example would be to check out the rules on music before I present it to the class.

Copyright laws on the Internet is also important in the classroom when research projects are being done. Only ten percent or less is allowed to be presented in the classroom if there was no time for permission. High schoolers and college students use the Internet as a main source for projects because it is so accessible. Teachers need to go over these rules with students so they are not breaking any rules. Using a video clip off of a website would be an example of proper usage.

I honestly think my personal action plan concerning these laws is that I'll be something in between. Although I do strive to not break the copy rights law, I don't know every single rule. I will try my best as a teacher to look up on what I am using and to make sure it is legal. But I am sure there will probably be times where I do not know a particular rule.

Wikis for Classroom Use

I looked at some wikis that were done by eighth graders. They covered topics on global warming, acid rain, pollution, species endangerment, and more. Each one was slightly different, but most had the same outline of order. The page would show up with different titles to click on. They would have the general background information, pictures, videos, three year plans, funding resources, and other links. The wiki had the basics on them plus different media to add to the learning process.

A wiki is a type of software that is used to put information on and keep it up to date on the web browser. There are many different things that one can do with a wiki. Like setting up videos and pictures or different effects. Having students make their own wiki is a great group presentation. They learn about a certain topic and present it in a way that is interesting to others. In this process, they also learn technology skills and present things different. The website that discussed on a particular educational wiki is http://helpingstudents.org/JSPWiki/Wiki.jsp?page=Wikis

Multimedia in the Classroom

Examples of multimedia in the classroom varies due to the school's ability to afford these. Most schools have computers in the classroom for teachers to use. This allows the teacher to use the computer in numerous ways. The teacher can access the internet to show pictures, clippings, or movies off of. A screen projector can be used to attach to the computer so the whole class can see what is being done.

Tape recorders, cd players, and audio cassettes are some media that are still used today by teachers. But other teachers like to use media that is up to date. While the school might provide this type of media, some teachers will buy it themselves if they have the money. That way they don't have to worry about reserving it before other teachers do. Teachers will also have to make sure that any high price media will have to be locked up in a safe place so it is not stolen or broken.

Using different types of media will expand the knowledge of the student. Students like a change of pace of what is happening in the classroom. Watching movie clips on a certain subject is relaxing to the student. It also presents in a way that students wouldn't be able to learn in just lecture from the book.

Media

Instructional Technology and Media for Learning textbooks defines medium as a means of communication and source of information. It is the middle connection between the source and receiver. There are many different kind of media that can be used in the classroom. Training programs may use different media than teachers.

There are six main types of media, but test is the most commonly used. Others include audio, visuals, motion media, manipulatives, and people. Using concrete and abstract type of media is a creative way for students to learn. It's by using experiences that the students are familiar with to learn abstract concepts. Attaching that experience with a lesson will help their memory.

Depending on what media is available, I plan on using different kinds. Students learn in multiple ways. My personal favorite media is different type of visuals. Many students that I have worked with enjoyed movie clips on a certain subject.