The TEACH Act of 2002

The Technology, Education and Copyright Harmonization Act of 2002, known as the TEACH Act, is an Act of the United States Congress. The importance of the TEACH Act stems from the previous copyright laws that allow educators to copy documents or use copyrighted materials in a face-to-face classroom setting. Because of the growth of distance education that does not contain a face-to-face classroom setting revisions to these laws, particularly sections 110(2) and 112(f) of the U.S. Copyright Act, needed to be made.

It was signed into law by President George W. Bush on November 2, 2002. The TEACH Act clarifies what uses are permissible with regard to distance education. Furthermore, the TEACH Act outlines what requirements the information technology staff and students of a university must abide by in order to be in compliance with the TEACH Act.

While in some cases Fair Use Doctrine covers compliance to copyright law, the TEACH Act clarifies what compliance measures must be implemented with regard to distance education. This Act permits teachers and students of accredited, nonprofit educational institutions to transmit performances and displays of copyrighted works as part of a course if certain conditions are met. If these conditions are not or cannot be met, use of the material will have to qualify as a fair use or have the permission of the copyright holder to be lawful.

My thoughts on the TEACH Act of 2002 are as follows: well, I can't seem to say it any better than this so here's how to make sure you use the TEACH Act properly...

Use this handy checklist to see whether you are ready to use the TEACH Act:

My institution is a nonprofit accredited educational institution or a governmental agency
It has a policy on the use of copyrighted materials
It provides accurate information to faculty, students and staff about copyright
Its systems will not interfere with technological controls within the materials I want to use
The materials I want to use are specifically for students in my class
Only those students will have access to the materials
The materials will be provided at my direction during the relevant lesson
The materials are directly related and of material assistance to my teaching content
My class is part of the regular offerings of my institution
I will include a notice that the materials are protected by copyright
I will use technology that reasonably limits the students' ability to retain or further distribute the materials
I will make the materials available to the students only for a period of time that is relevant to the context of a class session
I will store the materials on a secure server and transmit them only as permitted by this law
I will not make any copies other than the one I need to make the transmission
The materials are of the proper type and amount the law authorizes:
Entire performances of nondramatic literary and musical works
Reasonable and limited parts of a dramatic literary, musical, or audiovisual works
Displays of other works, such as images, in amounts similar to typical displays in face-to-face teaching
The materials are not among those the law specifically excludes from its coverage:
Materials specifically marketed for classroom use for digital distance education
Copies I know or should know are illegal
Textbooks, coursepacks, electronic reserves and similar materials typically purchased individually by the students for independent review outside the classroom or class session
If I am using an analog original, I checked before digitizing it to be sure:
I copied only the amount that I am authorized to transmit
There is no digital copy of the work available except with technological protections that prevent my using it for the class in the way the statute authorizes

Copyright Laws Video

You have gotta check out this video! A lot of time was put into it! Very cool!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJn_jC4FNDo

Q: Why is copywritten material protected by law?
A: To protect the original artist's original "form," not thought. Thought and ideas will always be able to be shared...because without our shared thoughts, we would never be able to expand upon and build upon each others work. It's just that "legally" we have to be careful on how we use other's material for our own use. We must respect the rights of others that put the effort and time in before us. FAIR USE entails so much...so we must be careful what we decide to use, and how we use it! But when it comes down to it...it's really about the money. It's all about the money!

How to create a video project

Ok, so here we go again...addressing the standards, what ever happened to good teaching? Why are we always limited to addressing "the standards?" If all of our students were standardized, then we'd all be the same...we'd all be robots!
But the teacher in this video does an excellent job of helping.
Using different video editing programs, the students can learn a lot and incorporate many elements into their movies. Learning on the fly...awhhh, the best way to go! Doing, not just listening to how or watching how, but actually doing!
Evaluating your sources is also a key factor in determining how "relevant" and "of good quality" so information relevancy is accurate. Watch out for biased media and information.

A Vision of K-12 Students Today

Again, what are we learning by just sitting here? If we learn by doing...then do!
We are living in a material world...umm, I mean a technological world, and I am a material girl...I mean technological boy!
Teach me to think, to create, and to analyze. Engage us as students as we WILL LEARN!!!

A vision of today's students

If students learn what they do, then why are they sitting here?
We pay for what we "want" to get out of the college experience.
It's our choice to read, study, or not to.
Is technology really here to save us...or could it be like the movie "Terminator" where Cyberdyne computers take over the world.
Honestly, I believe that the whole "college" thing is overrated and technology is forced upon us. We are forced to either adapt to the system, or be left behind in the dust.

Video on lesson plan: I Love Spiders

Effectively using technology resources for proper learning...

-using audio and visual aids to help arouse student interest
-demonstrates #4 - equipment operation
-the teacher uses a website to display the pics of spiders that the students take
-demonstrates #11 - internet communications
-the teacher uses the internet as a tool for communications

Software Evaluation

There are many different types and kinds of tutorial software such as:
(1) Simulation software
(2) Educational games
(3) Exploratory Environments

But do they actually teach us anything?
Yes! Learning is occuring so teaching is actively incorporated.
- Do not let on screen presentations mislead or confuse the students.
- Do not use abuseive or insulting software.
- Make sure readability is at an appropriate level for students ability.
- Make sure graphics and images are not distracting and useful.
- Make sure spelling is correct.
- Make sure content is accurate and up-to-date.
- Make sure the software morally and socially acceptable?
- Make sure the software is user friendly?
- Make sure the program works correctly.