It is important that all students understand rights associated with computer use, and different types of software, such as Public Domain software, Shareware, and Commercial Software that may be single use, lab pack, site license, or a network license.
It is also important to cite work properly; to avoid copying someone's work and presenting it as your own.
| Citing Work | Different Types of Software | Copying Others' Work (Plagiarism) | Grade Level Requirements |
All Otsego students must abide by the Acceptable Use Policy
of the Otsego Board of Education which is summarized here for students in the
elementary buildings:
I will
honor software licensing agreements.
I will
only use school computers and the network (Internet, software, etc.) for acceptable educational purposes.
I will
be kind and polite at all times. On the Internet, this proper conduct is known
as "netiquette".
I will
respect everyone’s privacy, including my own.
I know not following these rules results in consequences, possibly not being able to use the network, Internet, or school computers among other punishments.
It is expected that 4th, 5th, and 6th graders give credit to the author of information used as well as to the photographer, artist, or provider of graphics used in various student documents.
To cite a source from the Internet, at least show the URL (web address) of the site from which the information was taken. The easiest way to do this - copy the address and paste it into the document. The date the information was viewed on the web site should also be included. Showing the page title from the title bar would also be nice. Your classroom teacher may have specific requirements for citing a source on projects, reports, and other assignments.
Take a few moments to read this COPYCAT story for a better understanding of plagiarism. (http://www.wccsk12.org/mslib/msweb/pages/CopyrightandPlagiarism1.htm)
Here's a copyright glossary.
More helpful web sites:
Not working: http://www.writing.nwu.edu/tips/plag.html
http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/plagiarism.shtml
Commercial Software A commercial program is one that is sold through what's thought of as "normal" distribution channels (such as stores and perhaps directly from the manufacturer). A commercial program is also one that's paid for in a "normal" way -- you need to pay for the product before you can own it.
A commercial program may be developed by a group of programmers working for months or even years. The result of these efforts is mass-duplicated on CD-ROMs, boxed, distributed to retail stores, and often advertised in national computer catalogs and magazines. As you can imagine, it's an expensive process. So, while some commercial programs sell for $19.95 or $29.95, many sell for hundreds of dollars.
Shareware
Creating and selling a commercial program takes a lot of labor and a lot of marketing. So it's expensive. But what if just one, two, or a few programmers can develop a program (often a utility -- a small program that serves some very specific purpose)? How can an individual, or a few people, who perhaps wrote a program in their spare time, afford to package, distribute, and advertise their software? They can't. The best option for a small developer is to release a program as shareware. A shareware program is usually made available at a Web site, where you (or anyone else) can download it directly to your computer.
After trying out the program for a trial period (typically 30 days), you must decide whether to keep the program (if you find it useful) or to remove from your hard drive (if it didn't meet your expectations). Only if you keep the program do you buy it, by sending money to an address listed in the program's introductory screen. With shareware, you take possession of a program before you pay for it. So what prevents people from simply keeping a shareware program without paying for it? Low fees and honesty. A program distributed as shareware costs far less than a commercial program, so paying the $5 to $30 that most shareware programs cost isn't a big expense. And while some people find it possible to justify not paying a large, faceless company for its efforts, most people have trouble withholding a few dollars from a person they know has worked hard and then placed trust in the public to make those efforts pay off.
Freeware is software that the developer lets you have FREE. It is usually developed by just one, or a couple, of programmers, and is then distributed (mostly on the Internet). You can download and keep the program without paying anyone anything.
Public Domain. Software becomes public domain when the original copyright holder gives up all rights to the software. According to copyright law, for something to be public domain it must be clearly marked as such (on the packaging, in the instructions, etc.).
| 4th Graders | 5th Graders | 6th Graders |
| Know and practice Privacy Rights | Do all 4th grade items | Do all 4th & 5th grade items |
| Recognize and respect copyrights on software | Understand rights associated with Public Domain software | |
| Demonstrate proper and ethical use of all software | Understand rights associated with Shareware | |
| Abide by the Acceptable Use Policy of the Otsego Board of Education | Understand rights associated Commercial Software - single use, lab pack, site license, network license | |
| Netiquette | ||
| Citing Work | Different Types of Software | Copying Others' Work (Plagiarism) | Grade Level Requirements |
Return to Student Resource Pages
Last updated January 27, 2006
~ Mrs. K. Bradley
ot_kab@nwoca.org