Tips for teaching
The purpose of Copyright Classroom’s educational materials is to inspire and encourage teachers and students to engage in creative work in a way that respects copyright. The Copyright Classroom resources are divided into three components: copyright know-how, what you can do with various types of works, and research skills and critical literacy. Each component has resources and games to support the learning process.
There are both ethical and legal guidelines that need to be taught in relation to creative use of copyright works. In relation to copyright, the teacher’s role is threefold: they need to understand and master copyright from the perspectives of the user of copyright works, the creator of new and original works, and as educator and role model.
Copyright Classroom includes information and educational game-based resources aimed at secondary level students and trainee teachers.
Copyright know-how
In the Copyright Classroom, you can learn about copyright through quiz questions and games. The self-study guide allows you to complete the entire course independently, and your skills can be demonstrated by earning the Copyright certificate.
Go to Copyright Classroom’s secondary school section.
Go to Copyright Classroom’s teacher training section.
The Copyright Know-how package can be incorporated as part of teacher education or professional development for teachers. This comprehensive approach provides teachers with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand and teach copyright principles effectively. By integrating this package into teacher training or professional development programmes, teachers can enhance their instructional strategies and ensure that they are providing students with accurate and relevant information on Ireland’s copyright laws and practices. This not only benefits the teachers by broadening their professional skill set but also enriches the learning experience for students, fostering an environment of responsible and informed content creation and usage and encouraging them to appreciate the value of original work – their own and that of others.
Book trailer project
How to make a book trailer? Creating a book trailer is not just about summarising a book through a video; it's about engaging with literature in a modern and dynamic way, while navigating the complexities of copyright in the digital age. Through this project, students become not just consumers of content but creators who understand the value of intellectual property and the importance of creative integrity.
Instructions for the teacher, with checklists and tips on how to make a book trailer can be found here.
Cultural project
In the cultural project, we explore various sectors of the creative industries: literature, music, and visual arts. Through the project, students learn about copyright and how to apply it in their own creative productions. The project can also be carried out as an international eTwinning project, tips for which can be found in the cultural project instructions.
The project allows for cross-curricular collaboration, for example, between English, Irish, art, music, and foreign languages.
Comic book project
Making a comic book is fun and creative. In the comic book project you also learn about copyright.
Mini-play or mini-film project
The purpose of this project is to learn about copyright through drama, creative expression, and research. The students will write and prepare a mini-play or a mini-film in small groups. The scenarios and characters for the play or film can be randomly assigned using the play creator. Each play is a unique theatrical piece created by the students.
This project relates to versatile competence and is particularly suitable for subjects such as English and Irish language and literature, social studies, ethics, drama, art, and music.
Instructions for the teacher can be found here.
The play creator is available here or in the video room.
Printable cards for scenarios and characters can be found here (PDF).
The Creative Process
In The Creative Process, you’ll find tips and tools for the processes involved when creating your own work, such as topic research, source criticism, the use of generative AI and consideration of copyright.
The Creative Process can be used in any lesson or course involving various kinds of project work.
Project-based learning
Copyright is an essential part of any school/college project. Before starting your project, familiarise yourself with the checklists and models for source referencing available in Copyright Classroom, focusing on the parts relevant to your current project. You can also make use of the teacher resources available.
The checklists are available on the wall in the video room and in the Teachers' Resource Bank.
Checklist generator
The Checklist Generator will give you information about copyright in connection with a specific project. Tailor a checklist that fits your own project using the Checklist Generator.
The Checklist Generator is located in the video room as well as in Copyright Classroom’s secondary school and teacher training sections.
Information videos
The short Copyright Classroom videos explain the essentials of copyright and how you can legally use the works created by other people.
The videos can be found in the video room, and in the video section of the Teacher’s Resource Bank.
