The Legal Issues Relevant to Technology in Education
As teachers you always hear the terms “beg, borrow, and steal” or “don’t recreate the wheel” but is this really legal. I have many times found myself not having enough time to create a worksheet for tomorrow’s class, or even changing my mind the day of and in need of a new worksheet. I often times go to Google or other websites I have found to print off a worksheet for class. The question is, is it legal to go take someone’s worksheet and use it in my class. I didn’t claim that I made the worksheet, but I also didn’t give anyone credit for the worksheet either. I am using it for my class, I am not trying to sell it for profit or gain some type of notoriety off of it.
Actually it is illegal to use someone else’s work off of the internet without permission. Just because you find it on Google doesn’t mean you can use it. You need to make sure that it is labeled to share or you get permission before you use it in your classroom.
I don’t think that schools do a very good job educating staff or students on this issue. I have worked at a couple of different schools and have never heard of this being an issue. I just thought that is what teachers did. They find resources that they can use in their class and they use them. I think as technology becomes more of an integral part of our classrooms, schools need to do a better job of educating students and staff on the legality of using materials on the internet.
As teachers you always hear the terms “beg, borrow, and steal” or “don’t recreate the wheel” but is this really legal. I have many times found myself not having enough time to create a worksheet for tomorrow’s class, or even changing my mind the day of and in need of a new worksheet. I often times go to Google or other websites I have found to print off a worksheet for class. The question is, is it legal to go take someone’s worksheet and use it in my class. I didn’t claim that I made the worksheet, but I also didn’t give anyone credit for the worksheet either. I am using it for my class, I am not trying to sell it for profit or gain some type of notoriety off of it.
Actually it is illegal to use someone else’s work off of the internet without permission. Just because you find it on Google doesn’t mean you can use it. You need to make sure that it is labeled to share or you get permission before you use it in your classroom.
I don’t think that schools do a very good job educating staff or students on this issue. I have worked at a couple of different schools and have never heard of this being an issue. I just thought that is what teachers did. They find resources that they can use in their class and they use them. I think as technology becomes more of an integral part of our classrooms, schools need to do a better job of educating students and staff on the legality of using materials on the internet.
Flipping the Classroom
A flipped classroom is where lectures are done outside of class and homework is done inside the classroom. Students normally watch a video lecture as homework and then classroom time is spent with meaningful discussions, enrichment, and/or practicing the concepts.
The pros of having a flipped classroom is that students can review the material as many times as needed. They can take notes at their own pace by pausing and rewinding the videos and they can replay them as many times as needed. It is also great for students who understand the material and want to work ahead.
The cons are that it can be overwhelming as a classroom teacher to manage at times. You have students who are at many different places in the class. One of the other problems is what to do about students who won't listen to the lectures for homework. They either have to miss class to listen to the lecture or stay in class and are lost because they didn't listen to lectures. With my limited experience with the flipped classroom I am not sure what the answer is for these students.
I really like the idea of a flipped classroom and have experimented with it a little. I am still trying to figure out the best way for it to work in my classroom. When students do it the way it is set-up, I truly think that it is best for all types of students. Students who struggled with the lecture can ask questions in class and can get extra support doing the practice at school. Students who are self-motivated and understand the material can move on at a faster pace. These students who normally get bored in the classroom can now move ahead of the rest of the group. I just haven't figured out how to deal with the students who will not listen to the lectures outside of class. These are typically the students who would not do homework if it was assigned in the regular class setting. How do you get these students to take responsibility in their own learning?
A flipped classroom is where lectures are done outside of class and homework is done inside the classroom. Students normally watch a video lecture as homework and then classroom time is spent with meaningful discussions, enrichment, and/or practicing the concepts.
The pros of having a flipped classroom is that students can review the material as many times as needed. They can take notes at their own pace by pausing and rewinding the videos and they can replay them as many times as needed. It is also great for students who understand the material and want to work ahead.
The cons are that it can be overwhelming as a classroom teacher to manage at times. You have students who are at many different places in the class. One of the other problems is what to do about students who won't listen to the lectures for homework. They either have to miss class to listen to the lecture or stay in class and are lost because they didn't listen to lectures. With my limited experience with the flipped classroom I am not sure what the answer is for these students.
I really like the idea of a flipped classroom and have experimented with it a little. I am still trying to figure out the best way for it to work in my classroom. When students do it the way it is set-up, I truly think that it is best for all types of students. Students who struggled with the lecture can ask questions in class and can get extra support doing the practice at school. Students who are self-motivated and understand the material can move on at a faster pace. These students who normally get bored in the classroom can now move ahead of the rest of the group. I just haven't figured out how to deal with the students who will not listen to the lectures outside of class. These are typically the students who would not do homework if it was assigned in the regular class setting. How do you get these students to take responsibility in their own learning?