Legal issues related to educational technology include the subjects of copyright, intellectual property, and piracy. Resources in this section include primers on the legal issues related to technology and the Internet, and innovative practices to address them.

 

Related Resources

Access and Equity in Online Classes and Virtual Schools (PDF)

The focus of this Issues Brief is to increase the awareness of the importance to students, teachers, and administrators of making online courses accessible to meet your legal obligations. This Issues Brief references civil rights legislation in the United States, but the issues of access and equity are relevant to all online programs.

Access, Adequacy, and Equity in Education Technology

This report examines the state of educational technology resources and support in public schools across the country, as reported by classroom teachers and instructional assistants.

Assistive Technology Policy Checklist

The items on this checklist can be used as a framework for guiding the development of assistive technology policies. The checklist also can be adapted for use in analyzing existing assistive technology policies or obtaining feedback from stakeholders about the appropriateness of such policies.

NATRI

Center for Safe and Responsible Internet Use

ConnSENSE Bulletin

This website provides a variety of resources, articles, legal updates and conference information centered on educational and assistive technology issues.

Copyright Guidelines for Administrators

This matrix can be used to inform school leaders of what they may and may not do under the law with regard to copyrighted material and media. The resource presents examples of technology uses for software installation, password sharing, and DVD showings that are permissible and in violation of copyright law, alongside possible solutions.

techLearning.com

CoSN Small District Technology Leadership Wiki

The Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) is a voice for K-12 education leaders who use technology strategically to improve teaching and learning. The objective of this wiki is to provide a space for collaborative work around topics regarding effective planning for and use and implementation of technology.

Cyberbullying for Administrators

Demonstrate strong leadership in your school district with a proactive approach towards cyberbullying. Learn how cyberbullying occurs anonymously, which requires new tactics and strategies.

More Voices Create Better Policies

This article for administrators discusses common school technology issues (filtering, access, etc.) and how they can be resolved.

Primer on Copyright Law and Fair Use

Melissa McGann, attorney at Andre, Morris & Buttery, explains what copyright is and how to determine if use of a copyrighted work is "fair use" or not. Issues addressed in her presentation include fair use factors and copyright tests.

TICAL

Programs Aim to Stop Cyber Bullying

Learn more about the effects of cyber bullying on today’s students, and what steps schools are taking to address the problem.

Resources to Combat Cyberbullying

Teach proper web etiquette to your students by learning new and positive ways of promoting appropriate online communication.

Software Licensing

Melissa McGann, attorney at Andre, Morris & Buttery, discusses how to ensure that software in your district and ethically by staff and students. Issues addressed in her presentation include the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, the Business Software Alliance, and their impact on educators.

TICAL

Technology Leadership: Is a Copyright Quagmire in Your Future?

According to this article, "That educational law class you took probably didn’t touch copyright law at all. If you rely on your retained counsel to keep you clear of copyright quagmires, you might be surprised to know your attorney may not have more education on copyright than you." This article reminds readers of some of the complex copyright issues that present themselves in educational settings using increased technology and web-based resources.

The School Administrator

The Promise of Accessible Textbooks: Increased Achievement for All Students (Word)

Through this information brief, obtain practical information on accessibility legislation and see what The Center for Applies Special Technology (CAST) and other organizations are doing to overcome barriers to accessible textbooks.

Access Center