#2 - MS Word, Copyright, and Personal Learning Networks

    I have been exposed to MS Word since I was little. When I was young, I decided to create a weekly newsletter for my family by using Word, and I would print it out and distribute the copies. Eventually I grew out of that and began to use Word for more practical purposes. I took a computer class in 6th grade that taught me how to use many features I wouldn't have otherwise discovered. Since then, I have probably had to use MS Word as often as I use my Internet browser. My teachers have used it in so many creative, innovative ways. My teachers used Word to send letters home, make worksheets, create lists for us and for themselves, make class newsletters, and so much more.

     Personally, I was also taught about copyright at a very young age. My mom is a librarian, and I can remember her always stressing to my sister and me the importance of not copying someone else's work. In school, most of my teachers used the website turnitin.com to make sure we were not plagiarizing work from online or from other students. When we used someone else's work, we always had to make a works cited page, and I have been making both annotated and non-annotated bibliographies since early middle school. I had to sign my name on the bottom of many tests pledging that I did not cheat. When I took a few classes online during high school, I had to take many of my tests supervised in a public place, and an instructor had to sign off that I did not cheat. When I am a teacher, I will have to keep a close eye on things I am using. The Conditions for Fair Use will make me be sure to only make copies of things that are allowed, and only in limited quantities. If I make a worksheet, I will have to be sure that any graphics used are cited at the bottom and that credit is given where it is due. Because I want to teach very young children, I would stress to them the importance of not copying the work of others. Older children can be taught how to legally protect their own work, but my elementary school kids will know that it is not alright to copy other people.

    Already from this class, I have learned a lot about personal learning networks. Personal learning networks include things like Twitter, blogs, webinars, and other communities. I have loved being able to communicate with classmates through our Twitter accounts, and being able to get a feel of keeping up with this blog. In the future, I will be using personal learning networks just like these to stay innovative and connected with my students. I will likely have a class blog or website, and have social media accounts for the parents to keep up with what their children are doing in my class.