File+Sharing&+Pirating

Alicia Thomas Alyssa Moser Anna Lazarides

File Sharing and Pirating

** Description: ** Anna

File sharing involves making files available for others to have access to. It also involves using files that someone else has created. This type of collaboration can be helpful in many ways in terms of proper uses. The controversial aspect of file sharing is the peer-to-peer (P2P) sharing. This includes software like Limewire and Napster in which people have access to media files that are usually copyrighted. When a person obtains files from this type of software he/she is partaking in the illegal downloading and sharing of copyrighted files. The owner or creator of the copyrighted file has the rights to its distribution. In addition to this, the person’s computer becomes susceptible to viruses, unwanted advertisements, and the alteration of settings.

Impact: Alicia What is the impact of this issue on K-12 schools, educators, and students? File Sharing and Piracy have become a bigger focus in K-12 schools within the last few years. Educators are working to inform students that file sharing and piracy is wrong and that it comes with consequences. Anti-piracy/file sharing awareness is known and supported through several, if not all, colleges. All colleges have a personal internet connection which is monitored for things such as piracy and fines are issued to those who go against the law and illegally download. Colleges are at risk for losing vital funding for not participating in this lash out against piracy and file sharing. Making students aware of the immorality of piracy is beginning to spread as an awareness to young students in the same fashion as drug awareness and sex education. The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), along with Council Member Greuel and renowned internet safety expert Dr. Parry Aftab, conducted an event at a Los Angeles elementary school on the importance of copyright protection. Fourth and fifth graders at Clover Avenue Elementary School were introduced to real world lessons on copyright theft and various forms of piracy, how to identify counterfeit DVDs, the consequences of film piracy, and most importantly, why protecting copyrights is important to them. This piracy awareness event occurred in 2008 and since then the MPAA has worked to spread the awareness through schools in LA.

**Integrating this topic into Daily Instruction: ** Alyssa Topic integration in: Grades 1-3 At such an early age, it is doubtful there is any real file-sharing going on. However, it is not too early to start instilling the moral code necessary to combat issues such as file sharing. During classroom instruction, the teacher should explain that stealing can be more than taking someone’s physical possession, it can mean taking a person’s ideas or words. Grades 3-5 Introduce terms like “copyright” and “plagiarism.” Talk about what it means when someone writes something or creates something and has ownership rights to that material. The teacher could portray a scenario where the student came up with this great invention and wanted to sell it, but another student saw the idea and went out to sell it himself. Ask the students how that would make them feel. Make them understand the weight of taking any kind of file that was not legally obtained. Grades 5-8 It is around this age that children should will start using systems like limewire and figuring out ways to “cheat the system.” This is when it is important to explain the term “pirating.” It is a form of, or relative of, file sharing. Students need to understand that it is very illegal and there are consequences for doing it. Grades 7-9 Students are now at a mature enough age where they can have an educated discussion or debate about the ethical issues behind file sharing. Engage them in conversations about how they justify participating in file sharing. Push them to realize the wrong in what they are doing. Grades 9-12 At this age there will be a lot of peer-to file sharing. Go beyond the legal ethical issue with students and talk about how they are doing a disservice to themselves (from an academic standpoint). Sharing homework assignment and other similar files results in the student not learning anything, being unprepared for tests, and it is killing creativity. Also emphasize that peer-to-peer file sharing is still stealing and has the same consequences as stealing of copyright infringement.
 * Pre-K and Kindergarten have been deleted, as this topic does not pertain to their age group

__**All of us will find get some additional links and record our references!!**__ **Additional Links:** (Post any links to websites that might be helpful in learning about, or teaching this topic. Please describe your link.)  **References:** http://www.dansdata.com/filesharing.htm __Description__ __Impact__ __Integrating into Daily Instruction__
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 * http://www.iacc.org/news-media-resources/press-releases/los-angeles-anti-piracy-task-force-status-report.php
 * http://www.dailytech.com/Piracy+Could+Affect+Funding+of+Schools/article18935.htm