This week we learned about copyright laws, acts and regulations-why they matter, how to abide by them, accrediting, and also a whole whack of resources. As educators it is important that we familiarize ourselves with the free and distributable resources available and the legalities that go along with using other’s content in our lessons to set a positive example for our students.
Here is what we came up with…
Fair Dealing
What is it?
Fair dealings allow people to utilize 10% of copyrighted material without permission-protecting the author from having their work used freely while still allowing educators to access their resources.
Examples: research articles, books, newspapers, encyclopedias, maps, art, music
- https://www.cmec.ca/139/Copyright.html
- https://cmec.ca/docs/copyright/CMEC_POSTER_FDG_EN.pdf
- http://www.fairdealingdecisiontool.ca/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright_Modernization_Act
The Public Domain
What is it?
Public domain refers to materials that are not protected by copyright or trademark laws. Creators are free to use copyrighted works, but only 75 years after the work has been created. After this time frame the work is free to the public.
Examples: The works of William Shakespeare, Lewis Carroll, and Edgar Allen Poe.
- https://web.law.duke.edu/cspd/publicdomainday/2021/
- https://www.europeana.eu/en/europeana-classroom
- https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page
- http://www.gutenberg.org/
- https://archive.org
Creative Commons
What is it?
Creative commons is content that can be freely distributed and used within the copyright laws.
Examples: Worksheets, lesson plans, images, basic educational resources 
- https://creativecommons.org/licenses/
- https://stateof.creativecommons.org/
- https://search.creativecommons.org/
Open Educational Resources
What is it?
Open Educational Resources are freely accessible, openly licensed text, media, and online resources for educators
Examples: Courseware, learning modules, open textbooks, online tutorials, streaming videos
- https://www.oercommons.org/
- https://www.ck12.org/student/
- https://learninglab.si.edu/
- https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/filter?type=html&sort=alpha&view=grid
Reusable Multimedia
What is it?
Reusable multimedia is websites that provide free media (photos, videos, etc) that does not require attributing.
Examples: Blogs, assignments, PowerPoints, YouTube
- https://unsplash.com/
- https://www.google.ca/advanced_search
- https://www.pexels.com/videos/
- https://freemusicarchive.org/search
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain
Alice in Wonderland Image. Retrieved from: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6324090-alice-s-adventures-in-wonderland
Creative Commons Image courtesy of Oregon State University Libraries
Open Ed Image: Retrieved from: https://www.qualitymatters.org/qa-resources/resource-center/articles-resources/open-ed-resources
