Digital Citizens
What does it mean to be a good digital citizen?
To be good digital citizens implies that instructors have to "educate the students about copyright infringement and the ethical ways of dealing with the openness of the new media that exists on the Internet." Educating students about copyright laws will benefit and enlighten them to " become good copyright stewards and digital citizens." Source [EL114: Digital Citizens]
Thanks, Tom
Tom,
I completely agree. How I wish more of our population were good digital citizens.
Renee Shaffer
I belive being a good digitial citizen means understanding fair use laws and copyright policies. Asking permission when unsure (better safe than sorry) and ensuring students understand the which types of works are included. I think the term means more than 'an attempt' rather truly understanding the laws/policies and following them.
I know I still have a lot to learn in this area.
With the rapidly expanding access channels for digital information students and instructors alike see the web as a public domain. Understanding the appropriate path to follow with this material is very important. I see copied material frequently in student work. They view providing a citation as due recognition, or using quotation marks. Obviously this can be a problem. The course addresses obstacles for instructors such as time and cost. These are also barriers you'll hear from students.
Robert,
Oh, yes, we have always heard about the barriers from students.
Renee Shaffer
Good digital citizens claim responsibility for their actions, and are respectful of the time, effort, and work produced by others.
Adam,
Yes, let us all go forth and try to educate a new digital citizenry!
Renee Shaffer
A a good digital citizen follows copyright laws.. And really projects a proactive attitude towards the supporting of copyright laws, and encourages others around him to follow those same laws. A good digital citizen does not steal anything that's copyrighted will do all they can to secure permission is needed and will stop using anything that's copyrighted in the event they cannot get permission. A good digital citizen will also follow the guidelines for fair use if working in a nonprofit and will ensure they follow procedures, for-profit institutions and attempt to get written permission or refrain from using anything that might be copyrighted.
Michael,
Let' just hope that we can train our students to be good digital citizens.
Renee Shaffer
I agree Tom:
Instructors are looked upon as role models and it is so important that it is a practice and not just words.
Being an example to others who may not know the laws or even the professional etiquette of putting a lesson plan together or compiling information of a specific subject by using websites or copying directly from the internet without first gaining their permission.
Setting parameters for others while they gather information themselves so that they can understand the copyright laws.
Tim,
It is so helpful to be able to spread the knowledge about copyright issues.
Renee Shaffer
Digital Citizens should be inspired by the influx of information but not use it as a shortcut or profit off of someone else's hard work and research. Digital citizenship goes side by side with understanding that if research and development are not protected, there will be no new innovation.
Being a good digital citizen means being proactive as the course has discussed.
In sociology I teach that people should be able to "see the world as an outsider would." That applies here.
Imagine being a scholar and having those long, hard hours be minimized by someone who didn't care.
Asking in advance is being a good digital citizen.
Phil Lewis
To be a good digital citizen, you must be aware of, abide by and respect all applicable copyright laws concerning any digital media you wish to use. (Unless it is your own material).
A good Digital Citizen means knowing and applying the Copyright Laws for each type of material used, for example, is very common that students make a copy and paste of textual information without citing sources, that is plagiarism, therefore instructors should be to educate the students in the knowledge and application of laws.
Sometimes many instructors, librarians, and the other staff in the Universities don't know what is the laws of the copyright such as include for example the photocopies, and the students make a copies to all book.
Karely,
Photocopies can be very problematic especially for for-profit institutions.
Renee Shaffer
Being a good digital citizen means that you do not use other peoples digital content as your own. It is easy to access and take digital content off the Internet.
It means that we give credit where credit is due, we are accountable for our written documents, and we are professionally ethical in our behaviors.
