Teacher+Page

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In today's day and age, we are swiftly moving into a digitized society. Websites like Facebook and MySpace, as well as blogging and tweeting are becoming a daily staple for students. With this explosion of social sharing sites, it is important for them to have an idea of Copyright and Fair Use laws. As an educator, you are in the perfect position to help students become aware of their rights and those of the artists that they admire and use.=====

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 //It might be a good idea to start with our // //FAQ// //page, especially if you are brand new to the idea of copyright. It is geared toward students, but the information is still relevant and important for teachers. We also have a // //student page// //especially for your pupils to try to gain an understanding about not only copyright, but their rights in relation to copyright and fair use. //=====

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One resource available is the Media Education Lab website. It contains a series of five lessons that educators can use to teach their students about copyright and fair use. The five lessons in this guide enable educators to incorporate the topic of copyright and fair use into existing instruction, following the media literacy learning spiral of ACCESS, ANALYZE, EVALUATE, CREATE and ACT. Each lesson uses the following structure to promote the development of students’ critical thinking and communication skills: =====  **//Activate prior knowledge. //**  Each lesson begins with an opportunity to engage students by tapping into what they already know and think. In some lessons, a “Schoolhouse Rock style” educational song helps stimulate student interest and motivation. **//Gain knowledge and analyze information. //**  A reading, research or information gathering activity enables students to gain access to new knowledge. Specific instructional strategies are offered to help educators support learners with different levels of knowledge and skills and check for understanding. To strengthen analysis and evaluation skills, students engage in discussion that produces divergent thinking and critical analysis.

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**//Compose, share and act. //**  Each lesson includes an opportunity for students to produce material themselves, creating something new that allows them to reflect upon and demonstrate what they have learned. Some activities use social media or Web 2.0 resources, available free online, while others are based on more traditional literacy practices. Each lesson includes key learning outcomes that can help educators assess and evaluate student learning in situational context.
 * Lesson One Understanding Copyright


 * Lesson Two The Cost of Copyright Confusion


 * Lesson Three Defining and Applying Fair Use


 * Lesson Four The Five Principles of the Code


 * Lesson Five Advocacy


 * Want to Learn More?**
 * **Sample letter to use when seeking permission to use a copyrighted work.**
 * Creative lesson plans and curriculum for copyright.
 * Home site with links for grade appropriate web sites about copyright.


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We've also listed some activities for students on our student page that could easily be turned in to lesson plans and activities. **

You may find this form helpful in assisting fellow teachers in understanding and complying with the stipulations of copyrighted material. The form serves as a "contract," addressing the resources and materials they would like to use, as well as an attached 4 Factor Test to pre-determine the materials' allowance of use. This formality may help you in not only assuring teachers will be using materials properly, and legally, but it can also help you stay up to date with the resources they are using in their classrooms!
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">ADMINISTRATORS and CURRICULUM COORDINATOR ****<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">S: **<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">