Thing #10 Creative Commons
Creative Commons seems like a good idea for sharing content professionally and personally. One of the challenges we face as teachers is educating students about copyright laws and what is available for their use and what is not. Our kids seem to grow up in a time when they believe ALL media is free and accessible. I often use the Internet to search for materials to build a unit: a lesson plan, a photo or video to explain a project, a slide show, etc. I have sometimes seen the “CC” logo but honestly, never wondered about it until now. There are many original projects I’d like to share but have often wondered about the “protection” of my materials. If I take anything I find, I usually give the author credit, but don’t pay too much attention to whether or not it’s actually “available” for sharing. Like the kids, I need educating too. Perhaps, with Creative Commons, I can now feel free to share my materials and feel comfortable doing so.
