Copyright and Fair Use Lesson

(adapted from Media Education Lab's Copyright and Fair Use: lesson plans for high school)

Throughout the year you will have several activities where you are to create a project which will include images, videos, and graphics. As you search for this digital media, you need to be familiar with Copyright regulations and Fair Use best practices.

After completing this lesson you will be able to understand:
  • how fair use allows students the ability to use intellectual property
  • how the code of best practices can be used to determine use is covered by fair use

What is Copyright and Fair Use?:
  • As you watch this short Powtoon video take note to the helpful hints.

Powtoon Created by Alison Mackley and Ruth Still for DTSD training (2014)


Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for Media Literacy Education
(Media Education Lab, 2012)
  • Click on the link above to open the PDF document. As you read it, take note to the following:
    • What are the educators' and learners' rights when it comes to using copyrighted material for educational purposes?
    • Why does each of the code's principles have descriptions, justifications and limitations?


Case Study: Upper Merion Area High School Biology Class


(Renee Hobbs, 2008)

As you watch the video ask yourself the following questions:
1. How would you feel about students using them in the Virtual Zoo if you were the photographer of the images in question?2. What is the value of posting the students' projects online instead of just sharing them with their classmates? Would it matter if the website was password-protected?3. It was recommended to students to use a Creative Commons search for images, why? Wouldn't it be ok to just do an internet search for images?

Fair Use Case Study Discussion Post:
Now that you watched the video and wrestled with the situation in your mind, click on the discussion link (link to the LMS discussion board will be here) and write what Code principles apply to this situation and what evidence will justify fair use. Respond to at least one of your classmates post and compare your perspectives. Rubric link

Application of Fair Use: Hypothetical Scenarios
Tellagami created by Ruth Still (2014)
Click on your group's Google Doc link below. Analyze the scenario and develop an email offering advice to the teacher involved in the situation. Explain why the use described is (or is not) a fair use of the copyrighted material. Utilize your understanding of fair use and the principles described in the Code of Best Practices when forming your recommendations. Rubric link
Group 1 Scenario Google Doc
Group 2 Scenario Google Doc
Group 3 Scenario Google Doc



Resources:
Hobbs, R. (2008). Video case study, upper merino area hs, media literacy, copyright, and fair use [video]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnXqNgi1rRw.

Media Education Lab, (2012). Code of best practices in fair use for media literacy education [pdf]. Retrieved from
http://mediaeducationlab.com/sites/mediaeducationlab.com/files/CodeofBestPracticesinFairUse_0.pdf

Media Education Lab website (www.mediaeducationlab.com), (2012). Copyright and Fair Use: lesson plans for high school, section 4: the 5 principles of the code. Retrieved from http://mediaeducationlab.com/section-4-five-principles-code.