Copyright Questions

Can I copy material from the internet for research?


You will not infringe copyright if you use material for the purposes of research, provided that your use is fair. 

What constitutes research and fair use?



Research can be through an academic institution or for personal use. The Macquarie dictionary and therefore Copyright Act defines research as
"diligent and systematic enquiry or investigation into a subject in order to discover facts or principles...” and “study” includes:

“(1.) The application of the mind to the acquisition of knowledge, as by reading, investigation, or reflection; (2.) the cultivation of a particular branch of learning, science, or art:...(3.) a particular course of effort to acquire knowledge...(5.) a thorough examination and analysis of a particular subject...” (Australian Copyright Council Information Sheet G53v 07, 2007; 02)

Fair use depends on circumstances

• reasonable portion of text or notated music (10% of the number of pages or one chapter, if the work is divided into chapters
• for text material it is 10% of the number of words or one chapter if the work is divided into chapters. 

Can students (university or school) use music in videos that they make? 

Yes, but if the music was someone else's work then copying part of a piece of music or recording will in most cases infringe copyright. There are special exception for example if copyright has expired otherwise permission will be required from the music pulisher and/or record company.


More information on copyright laws can be found at
http://www.copyright.org.au/pdf/acc/infosheets_pdf/g053.pdf/download
http://www.copyright.org.au/g038.pdf 

Collect and create

Target: Kindergarten
Resource: Kevin the Crocodile written by An Vrombaut
Series: 64 Zoo Lane

This presentation aims to move a child's thinking from narrative to fact or real life. This is achieved by interweaving real images of crocodiles and their features with pictures from the book to scaffold the child in predicting aspects of the story. Furthermore, the story explores how the older crocodile (Victor) teaches the younger crocodile (Kevin) to 'behave' like a crocodile, for example snapping his teeth or thrashing his tail in the water. There are several important themes that can be explored from this story: behaviour, friendship, learning from older generations and celebrating success.

The tree octopus highlights the hoax phenomena

Callow reading link - teachertube

Teachertube - A useful website with appropriate videos, documents and photos for teachers
There seems to be less inappropriate adverts popping up on the screen too which is great in the classroom environment!

My definition of new literacies

The pace of technology evolution and advancement is mind-blowing! The birth of the worldwide web was impressive, yet today we are in a new phase which marks the shift from Web 1.0 "understood as showing" to Web 2.0 noted for its "sharing" approach (Callow, 2008; pg 13). The new literacies relate to new practices where students (teachers and members of our society) share ideas collaboratively with the aim of growing and developing our knowledge together (Knobel &Lankshear, 2006). The wealth of information available to suit all tastes and interests implies (if not proves) that the Web2.0 phase has been fully embraced by the world, it is certainly not just 'emperor's new clothes'. Teachers need to open minded in allowing students to explore and share information within the safe limits of appropriateness of contents and relevance to the broader curriculum.