as used in the Digital Ethics in ePortfolios Principles
Access: The term “Access” in the context of ePortfolios includes access for individuals with disabilities, access to technology, and access to training and information.
Attribution: Connecting words, syntax, or ideas to an original source, usually through some form of citation.
Copyright: A law within the U.S. Constitution (Article 1, section 8) that protects intellectual property, limiting another’s ability for re-use, reproduction, or distribution. A work does not need to be registered with the U.S. Copyright Office to be protected under copyright.
Educator: A term that refers to an individual who instructs a course and encompasses faculty, instructors, and tutors.
End User License Agreement: A licensing contract between a software licensor and its users that identifies the terms and conditions of use. These terms and conditions can include proprietary rights (what the licensor owns vs. what the user owns), details related to liability, data collection and storage information, rights to privacy, etc.
Digital Citizenship: An understanding that when students enter digital spaces they have certain rights and responsibilities and must consider concepts like security, privacy, communication, collaboration, respect, access, and permission within the contexts of these spaces.
Digital Literacy: The ability to use and think critically about using media, software, hardware, and other technologies in digital spaces.
Fair Use: A legal defense wherein an individual argues that they have a right to re-use copyright-protected materials. Each instance of fair use is individually interpreted and decided. The individual who wants to argue fair use should do so based on four factors: (1) the purpose of re-use, (2) the nature of the work being re-used, (3) the amount of the original work that is reused, and (4) the effect this re-use will have on the original work’s market value.
General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR): A set of regulations that impacts any organization that collects personal data related to people in the European Union. Personal data is defined as any information that relates to an individual who can be directly or indirectly identified, which can include ePortfolios.
Licensing: A contract that grants others specific, limited rights for use. These rights vary based on the individual licensing agreement and its terms.
Plagiarism: The intentional or unintentional presentation of another’s work (including that work’s words, syntax, or ideas) as if it is your own without proper attribution. When citing sources, one should follow disciplinary, professional, and generic standards for attribution.
Universal design: “Universal design is an approach to design that increases the potential for developing a better quality of life for a wide range of individuals. It is a design process that enables and empowers a diverse population by improving human performance, health and wellness, and social participation” (Universal Design.com). It promotes inclusivity and barrier-free access.