I’m in a session about copyright and fair use, and just got my first good explanation of the T.E.A.C.H. law, which among other things gives distance learning teachers access to fair use. I knew about that. What I didn’t know, is that according to this law (according the the presenter) is that if you are a school and receiving any federal funds, you are required by law to teach your students about copyright law.
I wonder how many other federal laws we are required by federal law to teach our students? What is, where is, who is the power-base behind this? The question is rhetorical! Just another indication of who has who’s ear.
I appreciate the rhetorical nature of your question, but the truth remains that we should teach our kids about copyright law. Who should do that….well it would seem logical that whatever text format one is using should teach the law and responsiblity as it relates to that medium. The greater question, in my mind, is when should the teaching begin?