#2 - Words and Rights

     As a student, Microsoft Word is very handy. I have used it for a number of different things. It is a necessity when writing essays for school, and I thoroughly enjoyed writing senseless fictional tales on Word when I was younger. Looking back on it, I'm realizing that I have very rarely seen a teacher use word, I have only seen the product of them using word: like a printed syllabus or test. The steps it took them to make those documents has never been given much thought by me. One thing that is universal for all users, is that we all use it to create.
   

     Copyright laws are something that I have also not paid much mind to. I generally just try to avoid anything that could remotely be infringing on copyright laws because the consequences of not doing so are so severe. As a teacher I would continue to hold myself to this self-constructed policy. In doing so I would create learning materials where credit was properly given. I would also encourage my students to do the same. Copyrighting something is fun for no one. The perpetrator has to worry about getting caught, the one who catches them has to handle the situation, and the person's work who was stolen is without credit.

   
     Using twitter has taught me about important ideas and concepts, and not so important ideas and concepts. For example, through my use of Twitter I have figured out a new genre of communication I can have with my colleagues and peers. I can use Twitter as a unique platform to reach a unique audience and learning how to navigate the social media has allowed me to better understand a new and popular technology. Twitter, however, has also provided me with the ability to craft witty statements in my head about life that are 140 characters or less. In my future career, Twitter as well as other personal learning networks can allow me to better connect to those I teach with and provide me with rich, special content that wouldn't be reachable otherwise.