During class this week, we discussed copyright and the limited use teachers have on materials created for educational purposes. Fair use allows teachers permission to use copyrighted material without the need for permission from or payment to the copyright holder. However, there are limitations and considerations. The use must be for educational purposes, and it should be fair, reasonable, and not substitute for the original work. In conjunction with this conversation, we looked at some Open Educational Resources which are legally reusable and adaptable for educators. The flexibility of OER allows for the incorporation of diverse perspectives, promoting inclusivity in the classroom. Additionally, the collaborative nature of OER platforms facilitates knowledge-sharing among educators globally, fostering a supportive community that enhances professional development. With the ability to continuously update and improve content based on feedback and evolving educational standards, OER empowers teachers to create an engaging and relevant learning experience.

When researching types of OERs for elementary classrooms, I found Khan Academy Kids. I have used Khan Academy in the past for high school and university support, so I was excited to see that they have inclusive options for younger learners. It offers a range of activities that cover early literacy and math to engage critical thinking. Also, it is free! I downloaded the app on my phone and set up a teacher account quickly and easily. Here is a screencast of my experience using Screenpal, Edited in Canva, and made Interactive using H5P:

I can see that this type of interactive video could be quite useful for classroom activities, however, I did find using 3 different applications just to make one video to be quite cumbersome. I initially tried to use EdPuzzle and upload my Canva mp4 file, but it was not clear how this video would be interactive when uploading it into WordPress. The H5P extension in WordPress was much easier to use, but I can imagine those who are less tech-savvy to struggle with all of the reuploading and downloading from one piece of software to another.

On another note, I can see myself using LiveItEarth in my classroom. I love the simplicity of the user interface and the differing types of activities. The content is local, such as the Salmon Community Program, which is a great way to invite opportunities for field trips (to Goldstream) to extend the kids’ learning.