Available at http://dougjohnson.wikispaces.com/NUTS

For too long librarians and technology specialists have been seen as “copyright cops,” impeding the use of copyrighted materials by students and staff. This presentation suggests we redefine our role, helping those we serve take maximum advantage of fair use provisions, finding authorities with a “user-centric” view of copyright enforcement, and teaching others to consider not just the legal, but moral side of intellectual property acquisition, use and re-use. Heated discussion to follow.

Outline

Introduction and quiz (10 minutes)
Five main understandings: (40 minutes lecture/discussion
1. Changing the focus from what is forbidden to what is permitted. (Understanding fair use.)
2. Err on the side of the user.
3. Being prepared to answer tough questions. (Pair and share activity in identifying copyright "blue laws" in schools.)
4. Teaching copyright from the POV of the producer.
5. Changing our role from cop to counselor
Conclusion and discussion (10 minutes)

Supporting Research

I published two articles on this topic in national educational journals in 2008.

Extensive resources are at: https://dougjohnson.wikispaces.com/NUTS

Presenter Background

Doug Johnson has been the Director of Media and Technology for the Mankato (MN) Public Schools since 1991 and has served as an adjunct faculty member of Minnesota State University since 1990. His teaching experience has included work in grades K-12 both here and in Saudi Arabia. He is the author of four books: The Indispensable Librarian, The Indispensable Teacher’s Guide to Computer Skills, Teaching Right from Wrong in the Digital Age and Machines are the Easy Part; People are the Hard Part. His regular columns appear in Library Media Connection and on the Education World website. Doug’s Blue Skunk Blog averages over 50,000 visits a month, and his articles have appeared in over forty books and periodicals. Doug has conducted workshops and given presentations for over 130 organizations throughout the United States as well as in Malaysia, Kenya, Thailand, Germany, Qatar, Canada, Chile, Peru, the UAE and Australia and has held a variety of leadership positions in state and national organizations, including ISTE and AASL.