Copyright

Prentice School (October 1, 2010). The Prentice School Educational Assisstive Technology Classroom. Retrieved from https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/b6/PrenticeEdATclassroom.jpg.

     Copyright is an important term to know and understand in today's digital age, and it is especially important to familiarize ourselves with the laws associated with copyright and protecting original ideas and works from plagiarism. Every single individual who creates and shares their work is protected by the Copyright Act, meaning that if anyone else wishes to obtain their work for any purpose must request permission to do so. The rules of copyright ensure that the original creator receives proper credit.
     Not only do copyright laws promote and value protecting intellectual property, but they also encourage creativity and the exchange of ideas. This is reflected through the implementation of the Creative Commons. Creative Commons grants individuals the choice to make their works accessible to the public, along with the ability to decide the ways in which their works are shared and used.
     It is essential for educators to inform students of copyright and the importance of giving credit to the ideas and works of others. In order to ensure that students understand the rules of copyright, and to avoid plagiarism, teachers can demonstrate to students how to properly cite information obtained from written and digital sources. It would also be beneficial for teachers and students to familiarize themselves with the Creative Commons, as well as ways to invesitgate the copyright limitations and licenses of works that they wish to cite. It is important to stay informed and follow the rules of copyright in order to ensure that students know which works they are able to access and use, along with how to properly cite each type of accessible source.

San José Library (August 7, 2008). Children using computers. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/sanjoselibrary/2839901913/in/gallery-56999212@N04-72157625462926479/.