Smartcopying

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Blogs and wikis are some of the new and exciting web 2.0 technologies used in Australian classrooms.  ‘Web 2.0’ is a term used to describe online tools which facilitate information sharing, creativity and collaboration over the internet.  Other examples of popular web 2.0 technologies include video sharing sites such as YouTube and social networking spaces like MySpace or Facebook.
 
Blogs and wikis are websites capable of hosting an array of material from text to videos and music. Unlike most websites however, they are ‘interactive’ forums where visitors can easily contribute material and work together to produce new content.

A blog is often used like a ‘journal’ where an individual make entries of commentary describing events and uploading new material such as images and video. Visitors to a blog are able to comment on these entries and contribute material, but cannot modify the entries. Teachers may use a blog to display student works, provide commentary on class activities and upload material for students to access during class or at home for homework tasks.

Wikis are more collaborative because they enable visitors to modify content posted by others and contribute new content. The most popular and well known wiki is Wikipedia. Wikis are a good tool for students to use when working in groups as they are able to access and edit each other’s work at home and during class.

As material is easily uploaded and shared on blogs and wikis, various copyright issues arise. For further information on blogs and wikis, check out these short videos:

1. Blogs in Plain English
2. Wikis in Plain English

The scenarios in this information guide explore some of the common uses of blogs and wikis in the classroom and the copyright implications which arise.  Largely, they involve students and teachers uploading text, images, broadcasts, videos and music onto a blog or wiki. Uploading such material onto a blog or wiki involves two copyright activities; copying and communicating material.  ‘Communication’ of copyright material occurs where content is made available online.

There are special statutory licences and education exceptions in the Copyright Act which enable teachers to copy and communicate material on a wiki or blog. Students rely on different provisions known as ‘fair dealing exceptions’ when copying and communicating material for class and homework tasks.

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