In Price's article she argues that it's difficult to define "one's own work," and while I understand her points about plagiarism being contextual and ever-changing, do you think she's making a mountain out of a molehill? Of course people are inspired by other's work and other's ideas, but we know the difference between inspiration vs. plagiarism, no?
As our classrooms have the option for more tech-based assignments (ePortfolios, blogs, etc.), do you think that it's worth it as instructors to take the class time and effort to explain Fair Use and copyright laws? Or would it be a better use of time to create assignments that don't endanger our students of copyright infringement?
Kelsey,
ReplyDeleteI can see where you’re coming from when you talk about assignments “endangering students.” As a teacher, I wouldn’t want my students to get in trouble. However, I think it is better that they learn about fair use within the classroom. It may be the case that students may never need to understand these laws outside of the classroom. However, I think it’s better to prepare them for possible issues concerning fair use while we can. Technology and the internet doesn’t seem to be going away any time soon. In fact, it’s taking over the world in a way (as in, the least apocalyptic way of saying that). Technology is being integrated (perhaps slowly) into our department, and more quickly into everyday life. I think we should educate them on what they can and cannot do in this changing environment. Even better would be letting them make the decisions themselves once educated like in Rife’s piece (172).