Microsoft Word and Copyright

Growing up in an environment and time period with easy access to technology, it was incorporated into my education for as long as I can remember. Microsoft word has always been a tool that helps us get familiar with technology. Early on, teachers realized that technology is transforming society, and began to have computer classes to teach us how to work with Word. We would have lessons on word art, creating bibliographies and formatting them correctly, and even things as simple as indenting paragraphs. As we grew, more and more assignments were given with the expectation of using Microsoft Word, whether it be an essay/ Power Point or a brochure. Today, aside from submitting essays that I complete on Word, I often take notes for class through this program as well.

In regards to essays, it is very important to remember to practice fair use of information that you are using. As a teacher, this is something I will put a great emphasis on. You can't take someone else's work and say that it it yours. It is important to create your own work and formulate your own thoughts. To enforce this, I will utilize tools such as Turnitin.com, as well as comparing the students' work amongst each other's, and make sure that if students do use material from others, they cite their sources. On my end of managing copyright, I will make sure that I cite where I am getting my materials as well as posting a document listing.

There are a number of issues that are prevalent in any given classroom but the three I would like to focus on are cyberbullying, academic honesty, and copyright. To prevent copyright in my classroom, I am going to take the precautions I stated earlier such as using websites that check for copyright, citing sources, and putting emphasis on the necessity of honesty and creativity. To prevent cyberbullying, I will walk around the class and monitor the students to make sure they are staying on task and positive. Another thing I would like to do is plan activities that make the students feel comfortable sharing with one another and create a zero tolerance bullying policy. To maintain academic honesty, I will monitor tests and quizzes that are taken. There is a software that can be downloaded to school computers to make sure students aren't opening separate tabs while taking assessments.
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