When analyzing copyright, the law can quickly become confusing and easy to break. Copyright really covers many categories, most of which teachers use in an educational setting. Teachers really have a difficult time managing copyright laws with the use of internet and how easy it is to find and use useful information for the classroom. It is now very easy to put resources into digital form, copy and share information amongst colleagues. What makes this idea even more difficult is how much leeway teachers are now given. The guidelines of the law can easily become blurred.
What I was surprised to discover is how many teachers actually neglect to follow the law. I have seen many teacher copy work books, textbooks and other resources. They may believe it should be considered fair use, but I believe publishers and creators of the resources would fight the notion of fair use.
The more I learn about copyright, the more I feel that it will become my job to teach students to respect copyright laws. The law covers a lot of activities that students engage in on a daily basis, and they should know the law. I will do my best to continue to review the law and interpret the information in plain terms for my students, so they are not overwhelmed by the length and complexity of some of the language involved in the law. If my students are aware of the law, then they will understand what is right and wrong and there will be no excuse for breaking copyright laws.
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