I'm going to support Bonnie on this issue also. While I'm not able to be the
copyright police at my school, I do remind my teachers and administrators of
acceptable use. I've also encouraged the use of (and purchased) movie licenses for
the schools I've been in, so that those teachers who just can't provide a creative
solution for the last day of class, can show certain DVDs that are covered under
the licensing agreement.
I truly understand the unruly behavior of students during those last days before
any holiday or the end of school, but I think there could be some creative planning
to engage students in activities that don't involve violating copyright. I also
agree with Bonnie that it is difficult to persuade administrators, teachers, and
students that what they are doing is unethical, if we (who probably know more about
this issue than any others on our campus), turn a blind eye when we see it
happening. If we whole-heartedly encourage it, then we basically make every
librarians' job harder because...."the last librarian let us do it!"
It's hard enough trying to teach students / teachers how to do things right the
first time....it's nearly impossible to "re-train" them. By facilitating the
activity of violating copyright, after instructing students / teachers what is or
is not acceptable, we will never be taken seriously about any other issues facing
our libraries.
If the use of movies are an acceptable form of entertainment for final days before
holidays, then be PRO-ACTIVE with alternative solutions. Create a Powerpoint
"Jeopardy" game with questions that can be answered by your students. (Share the
template with your teachers so that they can create their own questions, after
they've seen you using it.) Choose teams and have prizes (gifts, snacks, etc.) for
the winners. Set-up an academic team contest between the teachers and the
students---present it in the auditorium for all to see and participate / rally
their favorite team. Give prizes for the winners. Have library scavenger hunts
using holiday themes for younger students. Provide puppet shows, storytellers, or
activities that may involve volunteers (parents, grand-parents, local PTO members,
etc.).
If YOU supervise / guide an alternative to the movie days that you KNOW will be
coming soon, you re-direct the problem-makers into problem-solvers. Using DVDs is
an easy way to finish the day / year / week ---but it's hardly using those little
grey cells. Be creative and utilize those individuals in your community, within
your school, and on your staff to help re-direct "Movie Day" into an activity that
is fun and productive. Promote those activities and advertise it.
While the rest of the "world is going wild"....keep your professional sanity and
provide alternatives that direct, guide, and show others that you follow the rules
that you ask them to also follow.
Just an idea....
~Shonda
Shonda Brisco, MLIS
US / Technology Librarian
Fort Worth Country Day School
Fort Worth, TX
"Start by doing what is necessary, then what is possible and suddenly you are doing
the impossible."
~St. Francis of Assisi
sbrisco@fwcds.org
http://www.fwcds.org/campus/libraries/default.asp
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