Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Doing the Wrong Thing Is So Much Easier…but it’s Still WRONG!

This week’s activity pertaining to fair use of information and media found online reminded me of an incident that happened in my math class a few semesters ago. For one of my class projects, I overheard (no, actually I was eavesdropping) one of my student skim the statement “the content of this site cannot be used without written consent…” and respond, “Man, [I ain’t] writing them for permission;” he proceeded to copy an image and a description, without any citation, and submit it to me. The next day, I returned the project to him, circling the questionable area with a message that read: “I contacted the web-designer from which this content belongs and he said he never authorized you to use this…you should’ve written him for permission;” a substantial amount of points were deducted and he was directed to receive the written permission to reinstate those points. Now of course, I didn’t really contact the author (that was a “teacher lie”) but I thought it was indeed a teachable moment on valuing the intellectual property of others. If only he would have assumed the responsibility and taken the extra time to seek permission and/or cite his finding, this incident would have been avoided. I then made it my business to share this happening with his class and other classes so they would be informed of the possible repercussions of misusing info found online (yes, I’m that kind of teacher :-/).
Posted by at

3 comments:

  1. Catherine SmithJanuary 20, 2011 at 7:43 AM

    I really like the way you approached your student about the repercussions of copying someone else's work. It sounds like you really taught him a lesson. Did the student actually write the person and ask permission?? (Just curious)Also, I really like how you shared this story with your other classes. I'm sure that made and impact on them and they will surely think twice now before copying someone else's work. It sounds like you are a great teacher! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. The BrownsJanuary 21, 2011 at 6:59 PM

    I think you were in the right place at the right time to overhear your students dismiss the copyright. I'm sure your point was made. Your students probably thought twice before doing that again.

    ReplyDelete
  3. D.RossJanuary 22, 2011 at 9:08 AM

    Thanks Catherine! Yes, he did contact the author and I believe he simply wanted to know the manner in which his graphics would be used. However, I'm not quite sure what the turn-around time was for his response; let my student tell it, he took eons to reply (but you know how they over-exaggerate :-/)

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)