Copyright Law in the Classroom

Fair Use allows the use of copyrighted materials for teaching and learning under specified conditions.  Understanding what is permitted can be confusing.

This page contains resources to help teachers understand how fair use applies to their classroom.

  • TEACH Act Toolkit 
    This site explains the TEACH Act, a portion of copyright law dedicated to online teaching and learning. These materials include an explanation of the TEACH Act, how to apply it, and legal challenges to the law.
  • Distance Education and the TEACH Act 
    The American Library Association provides this guide to applying fair use to distance education via the TEACH Act.
  • Fair Use Checklist 
    Determining whether an educational use is fair use can seem complicated. This checklist is designed to help teachers understand and apply fair use correctly to their classroom use of copyrighted materials
  • ALA's Copyright Advisory Network 
    A great site for educators who need to determine if a use of materials is fair use. Includes an etool guide to copyright exceptions for instructors. An outstanding portal for educators.
  • Copyright and Legal Article from School Video News 
    This ezine contains information about copyright as it applies to digital video. If you are a teacher whose students create videos, you should explore the articles that deal with using copyrighted materials in student videos.
  • RIAA Resources for Educators 
    The Recording Industry Association of America provides a variety of copyright resources for teachers, parents, and students. Resources for teachers include a grades 3-8 instructional program to use with students and a video designed for older students.
  • EDUCAUSE list of legal music and video content 
    Popular Music and Video Sources The EDUCAUSE organization has assembled a list of online sites that allow you to legally access and download music and videos. This list includes both free and fee-based resources. http://www.educause.edu/legalcontent.
  • Sources of Legally Available Digital copies of textbooks 
    Check out the Association of American Publisher's links to publishers that provide legal digital copies of textbooks.

© 2024. West Shore School District. All Rights Reserved.
View text-based website