Lesson Title

Music Piracy, Experience

Grade - 7-12 Music, Band or Choir.

Length - 30-45min

 

Objectives

Generic Objectives

• Students will learn the definition of music piracy.

• Students will understand how they can commit copyright infringement by downloading free music.

• Students will understand ownership of copyright.

 

Objectives from the Music Curriculum

Understanding Music in Context

• M–U3 students demonstrate understanding of the roles, purposes, and meanings of music in the lives of individuals and in communities.

 

Materials

• 4 portable devices that can record audio and check and receive student email.  (iPad or other tablet)

• Music making instruments.  (Band instruments or otherwise)

• Room with white board or smart board.

 

Procedure

Activate

• Students will brainstorm as a group their knowledge about downloading music and other media for free.  This brainstorm will be done in open conversation with the teacher using questions such as: "Has anybody ever downloading music for free on the internet?" "What about downloading movies for free?" "Is downloading free music or movies legal?"

 

 

Aquire

• Students will brainstorm as a group their current knowledge about the word "Piracy."  Ideas will be formalized on the white or smart board.

• Teacher will direct coversation to music piracy and idea of copyright and ownership of music.

• To make the message completly clear, the teacher will play this video for the students. (http://youtu.be/HmZm8vNHBSU)

 

Aquire

• Students will arranged into four different groups with each group having one portable device.

• Two groups will be assigned as the "music artists" and two groups will be assigned the "pirates".

• The "music artist" groups will then be instructed to create a short 1-2 minute musical piece to be done on the first take and do be an audio file, no video.  This can be using their voices or any instruments available. Each "music artist" group should create a name for their band and get as many students involved as possible in their audio recording.  If possible both "music artist" groups can have their own space to record the quick audio recording.

• The music artist groups will then pleasantly interact with one of the "pirate" groups telling them about their amazing music.  This excitement causes the "music artist" and "pirate" groups to settle on a small fee for their new music and then sends them the music via email on the portable devices.

• The "pirate" group listens to the music from the "music artist" group and gets so excited about this music they then share the music via email to the other "pirate" group but charge their own fee that they keep.

• The "music artist" groups then get mad at the "pirate" groups for selling their music without them getting some of the money.  An argument ensues.

• Note: This process can be adapted to better demonstrate piracy with every student having a portable device and with more students creating unique music.

• Class will conclude with conversation about the process that just occurred.  Depending on the age of the students, deeper conversations about whether their procedure was just simple sharing or an illegal distribution of music.  How the "artists" felt about their music being shared and sold without their permission could also be considered in a final discussion.  The teacher will make it clear in this lesson or following lessons whether their activity was legal and what some of the consequences could be.

 

Assessment

• Students will be assessed on participation and cooperation with the technology.  Were the portable devices shared and was all the class able to cooperate with the technology.  Guidelines will be set up before the lesson in regards to the portable devices.

• Students will be assed informally on listening skills and participation skills in both brainstorming activities.

• Students will be assessed on their overall participation in the activity.

• Students will be assessed in a following lesson via a small quiz whether their understand the ideas relating to piracy and copyright infringement.