What Are Digital Laws?
"The electronic responsibility for actions and deeds."
Ribble, 2011
Ribble, 2011
Just like in any society, the digital community needs to have some structure.
This structure is compiled of legal laws, as well as guidelines that digital
citizens must follow in order to keep order in the technology world. This way,
information can be created and shared without the threat of attack, theft, or
misuse.
Unlike the guidelines for being a strong digital citizen, the laws that are created have consequences outside of the digital world. Laws are constantly updating to include issues that are being addressed in the digital community. Some of the issues include: sexting, file-sharing sites such as Napster Kazaa, hacking, identify theft. Two main issues in schools are copyright infringement and plagiarism.
This structure is compiled of legal laws, as well as guidelines that digital
citizens must follow in order to keep order in the technology world. This way,
information can be created and shared without the threat of attack, theft, or
misuse.
Unlike the guidelines for being a strong digital citizen, the laws that are created have consequences outside of the digital world. Laws are constantly updating to include issues that are being addressed in the digital community. Some of the issues include: sexting, file-sharing sites such as Napster Kazaa, hacking, identify theft. Two main issues in schools are copyright infringement and plagiarism.
What is Copyright and Copyright Infringement?
Copyright is a law that protects the original works including music, art, and
written works. This law allows the authors to have the right to allow people to
copy, perform, or display their work. If these works are used without the
permission of the author, it is known as copyright infringement.
written works. This law allows the authors to have the right to allow people to
copy, perform, or display their work. If these works are used without the
permission of the author, it is known as copyright infringement.
What can Students do to prevent Plagiarism?
Inclue the source of information when paraphrasing, or summarizing information in your work.
Use quotes when using direct words from another work.
Include a works cited as well as in-text citation for resources used.
When in doubt, GIVE CREDIT!
Use quotes when using direct words from another work.
Include a works cited as well as in-text citation for resources used.
When in doubt, GIVE CREDIT!
What can Teachers do to prevent Plagiarism?
Define Plagiarism and your expectations for the students from the beginning.
Provide examples of how to cite references (work cited, in-text citations, etc).
Create unique assignments.
Provide examples of how to cite references (work cited, in-text citations, etc).
Create unique assignments.
TEACHER RESOURCESActivities/Lesson PlansHow to teach Copyright Laws in Middle School
An activity based on music and the Copyright Laws geared towards Middle School Students. Teachingcopyright.org Provides a curriculum to help students understand copyright laws. Copyright Kids Resources including permission letters, FAQs, and how to register the students work. |
PARENT/STUDENT RESOURCESCyberbee: Copyright
Interactive way of learning about Copyright Laws and common questions. The Copyright Challenge A quiz found on copyrightkids.org that students can take to start the discussion and learn information on the copyright law. What is Plagiarism? A web resource geared to kids from kidshealth.org that explains Plagiarism, provides examples, and checklists to help to eliminate plagiarism. |
Digital Citizenship by Christina Taylor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.