File Sharing

I used to listen to a cassette player. Now, my students listen to digital media players and and they download most of their music from the Internet. I make sure that they know the legal and social implications of "ripping off" the artists. I want them to learn to make informed and good decisions, and I want to support our future stars - I think there are a few in my class!

First of all, we talk about what can be considered property, and we relate it to their lives so they understand that this includes some things you can't touch like ideas, music, written words and pictures. Many of the things that, as educators, we use to inspire our students towards achieving their own dreams.

Turns out that my students' interest in music, and the technology they use to listen to it, provides a great way for me to talk about the principles of copyrights, IP, commerce, laws and what it means to be part of our society today.

My students know the difference between going to a legal download site and paying for music and installing file swapping software. File swapping is not allowed in my classroom and I encourage my students to talk about music downloading with their parents, set limits on legal downloads, and enjoy the music and the technology that lets it all happen.