The University of Maryland University College has a detailed page on copyright and fair use. It explores the ins and outs of using information on the internet in a safe and legal way, particularly in the classroom. The site defines these important topics and gives guidelines to ensure teachers and students understand the difference.
Specifically, the website defines copyright as “‘a legal device that provides the creator of a work of art or literature, or a work that conveys information or ideas, the right to control how the work is used’” (What is Copyright?). In addition, it gives the three ways in which something can be copyrighted: through fixation, originality, and minimal creativity. The section even lists examples of
One criticism I have of the site, is the lack of pictures or videos used as visuals. Obviously this page was created to be a more informative source of information, but I think that pictures or videos would make it more enticing to read. For example, clip art could’ve been used to illustrate the examples listed and appeal to visual learners. The only video I was able to find was on a link to a separate page about Open Educational Resources (OERs). While it was on another page, it was short and sweet and gave good information about OERs.
In conclusion, I would recommend this site to students as well as use it in the classroom to explain the importance of others work on the internet. It was informative and while lacking in visuals, it explained a lot about copyright and fair use. These are confusing topics that are often overlooked, however, it’s important that students and teachers understand and abide by these guidelines in order to avoid any legal issues.
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