Copyright Issues

When accessing a test or test elements from the internet to be used in school, English language learners (ELL) teachers must consider several issues. One of them is copyright of the material or by the owner. Copyright is that protection given to the author or the owner so that his original work might not just be used without permission. This permission required specific protection not to be distributed, reproduce, or to use publicly without owner’s discretion, or not to be sold. Further, it gives the author the right to display, reproduce, or exhibit work publicly, Blas, C., Felician,, R., Gumataotao, M. & Meeks, L.M (n,d). Teachers and administrators when using printed text especially tests taken from online, must be aware or careful when using copyright material. To reproduce or makes copies, selling the material or parts, require permission from the owner otherwise, it is an infringement. Everyone not only ELL teachers must be aware.

I am learning a lot especially on the consequences when copyright is not followed. I also learn what or who are allowed to copy part of a copyright, type of institutions that are able to provide or access to copyright, and students’ right to copyright. Lastly, as long as teachers use is considered fair and reasonable for teaching purposes, for teachers, seeking additional permission would not be needed.

Fair use practices have helped me to understand whether a use of copyright material is lawful or it infringes copyright. It also helps me to be responsible and judgmental in the amount of work taken reasonable or appropriate. Or is it necessary to extract such amount of work when only partial is needed?

This new information provides the guidance in helping me to acquire the proper ways to use tests or materials not just from online but also from copyright materials. Some people using a part of someone’s materials, maybe a test, as theirs, happened or existed. Borrowing or using partial materials that is not ours without recognizing or the copyright author is in fact a crime. This is a lesson helps or aids me when I am creating a test.  In evaluation, it helps by providing the essentials areas on what I needed to focus on and whether the materials are appropriated to be copied or downloaded. When materials are used for evaluation purposes it might also be essential to see if there is a pre and a post- test to compare their results.