LEARN

Questions related to the use of the LEARN learning management system.

45. If I have permission to put something on one of Waterloo's learning management systems (such as LEARN), does this mean I may also include it in my courseware?

If the copy posted to a learning management system is covered by fair dealing, it is likely that the copy can be included in courseware without permission as well. If, however, the copy posted to a learning management system is permitted under a licence agreement between Waterloo and the publisher, it is necessary to consult the licence agreement to determine whether a copy may also be included in courseware.

29. Is there any difference between posting something on my own website versus posting something on one of Waterloo's learning management systems (such as LEARN)?

Yes. Posting something on your own website means you are making the work openly available worldwide. Wide distribution tends toward the conclusion that the dealing is not “fair,” and such uses are unlikely to be covered by any University licences. By contrast, Waterloo's learning management systems are password-protected, secure websites that are accessible to students enrolled in university courses. In some cases, posting material on a learning management system will be covered by one of the University’s electronic subscriptions.

16. Are there special rules for scanning copyrighted materials?

If you want to scan something, you may do so only if the use falls within one of the exceptions in the Copyright Act (such as fair dealing) or when no permission is required (such as scanning a work that is in the public domain).

22. May I include links to videos from a free platform such as YouTube or Vimeo, or embed the videos on a learning management system such as LEARN?

Videos from a free online service should be used only if you have a reasonable belief that they were uploaded legally. A good way to check this is to look at what account posted a video. For example, if the official account for BBC News or the producer of a documentary uploaded a video, the content is more likely to be a legal copy. If an account belonging to an individual who does not appear to be connected to a project uploads a copy of a full-length feature film, it is likely not a legal copy.

19. May I scan a print journal article or a book chapter into a PDF and post the file on a learning management system such as LEARN?

As long as you adhere to the amounts that may be copied under fair dealing you may scan and post it on a learning management system such as LEARN. See the Fair Dealing Advisory for copying limits. It’s important to note that fair dealing does not allow you to scan material and add it to a website unless that website is password-protected and restricted to students enrolled in your course.

18. May I post examples of my students’ work on my course shell on a learning management system such as LEARN, or on my personal website?

You may post examples of student workk only if you have the student’s permission. Under Policy 73: Intellectual Property Rights, students own the copyright to the work they create. The University does have the right to make copies of the work for academic purposes, but this right does not extend to making the work available online.