2 Word, Copyright, and New Skills

     Microsoft word is one thing that I have had experience throughout the time in school. Most of the time it was only when we had to write papers or do assignments for class.  I do remember back in late elementary school and early middle school getting on Microsoft Word and just messing around figuring out what you could do with a picture or trying out every kind of word art there was. Way back then we got on Microsoft Word for fun. Now I dread having to open it up because more often than not it means I have to write a five page paper. Until I got to high school and into my first year of college my teachers never really used Microsoft word. During this time they would use it for typing up notes as we went along with class, to type up our syllabus and make revisions to it, and to give in class assignments.

     Until listening to the pod cast, reading the article for class and being in class for the power point today I never have really known much about copyright or fair use. After learning so much about it today I wish I would have been taught about it sooner. There are probably many times that I have violated this solely because I had no idea I was doing anything wrong. What we were always taught was as long as you gave credit to the originally person everything was fine. After today I see that is definitely not the case and that there are many more things to look at to see how you can use materials correctly. As a teacher I would want to be taught what I can use in my classroom. I want to also teach my students that in the classroom certain things in fair use are okay because of the educational purpose but once they are no longer in school the same things are not always aloud. I believe it is important to teach kids young what is and is not aloud with copyrighted material. Until today I had never heard of the Four Factors Test or even the TEACH Act. I think power points like the one we were shown in class should be part of a mandatory workshop in every country. That way teachers will know what they are allowed to do as well as know what to teach their students to do.

     With my life as busy as it is I never wanted a Twitter. I still don't. So I am not going to lie having a Twitter has been stressful. I don't know what to post on it and am constantly realizing that I forgot to post on it. Out of the entire class I feel like I am the only one struggling with that. Most people my age would be thrilled that they are being graded on posting to a social media account. Me? I would choose just about any other assignment. I see how a Glogster or other semi private account that is more focused for school could be used in the classroom. Maybe in high school's a twitter assignment would be a good way to get the students interested but I am looking to teaching kindergarten and do not really see how my twitter page could be used with kindergartners.