Fair Use and Creative Commons

What is the role of the teacher when it pertains to learning and understanding 21st Century tools? 

This is a complex question but I believe teachers should be required to not only know about the uses of different technological tools in the classroom but also use them. The role of the teacher pertaining to learning and understanding 21^st Century tools is to incorporate these methods of learning in the classroom and use them to enhance their student’s learning. This should be done by modeling these tools and using them appropriately as well. As teachers we must “practice what we preach” or in this case “teach”. Students learn by example and WE are that example.

Teachers must also teach students of the appropriate use of these information tools when using them in the classroom and for their work. By teaching students about referencing and academic honesty we can avoid the danger of plagiarism that often is a danger when it comes to using information gathered. We can show students examples of plagiarism and then even give students assignments, where they can be able to properly learn correct ways to cite and use references in their work. Youth of the 21^st Century have been growing up using technology but may not be aware that using someone else’s work obtained on the internet is a problem. Don’t get me wrong, technology has made information gathering easy and a way to enhance learning but with every positive there may be a hidden negative. It  is our job as teachers to teach our students of these implications and how to avoid them. We must make students think critically of these tools and ways of using them, so they don’t take advantage of or even be taken advantage of.

A good site to check out for more information on Creative Commons http://creativecommons.ca/