Author:
Barbara Soots, Washington OSPI OER Project
Subject:
Education
Material Type:
Teaching/Learning Strategy
Level:
Graduate / Professional, Career / Technical, Adult Education
Tags:
  • Attribution
  • Creative Commons Licenses
  • OER Colorado
  • OER User and Maker
  • Open Images
  • Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
  • oer-user-and-maker
  • wa-edtech
  • License:
    Creative Commons Attribution
    Language:
    English
    Media Formats:
    Downloadable docs, Text/HTML

    Education Standards

    Quickstart Guide: Openly Licensed Images and Attribution

    Quickstart Guide: Openly Licensed Images and Attribution

    Overview

    This guide provides information on:

    • searching openly licensed image libraries
    • how to locate and provide attribution for openly licensed images
    • guidance on which images cannot be used due lack of copyright permission

    SCENARIO ONE: Finding an openly licensed graphic

    Open Image Libraries and Search Engines *

    American Education: Images of Teachers and Students in Action - contains original print-quality photos of real PreK–12 students and teachers all licensed CC BY NC

    CC Search – searches across multiple platforms for Creative Commons licensed images - generates attribution statement for you to include in your work. 

    Google Images – filter for openly licensed work using Advanced Search and selecting Creative Commons Licenses under Usage Rights.

    The Greats - openly licensed artist illustrations for posters, social media, and work files. Thematic areas include areas such as Climate, Equity, Bridging and Belonging. Registration required to download.

    Nappy – photos of black and brown people to help users be purposeful about representation in designs and presentations – licensed under CC 0 (public domain dedication)

    The Noun Project – icons and photos for everything - generates attribution statement for you to include in your work. 

    OpenClipArt  vector graphics in the public domain. 

    Pexels - stock photo and video website - generates attribution statement for you to include in your work. 

    Photos for Class – age appropriate images for school setting – adds attribution to downloaded image 

    Pixabay – stock photo, vector images, and video website - generates attribution statement for you to include in your work. 

    Shot Stash – stock photo website - licensed under CC 0 (public domain dedication)

    Unsplash - stock photo website - generates attribution statement for you to include in your work. 

    Videvo - extensive collection of free video clips, as well as motion graphics, music and sound effects – various CC licenses as well as paid license options

    * small subset of available options

     

    Providing Attribution

    Once your open image has been selected and inserted into your project, be sure to give proper attribution and display the copyright holder’s name, a link to the image, and a link to the open license.

    NOTE: Many of the sites above will generate that attribution for you to copy and paste.

    Best Practices for Attribution | Creative Commons Wiki

     

    SCENARIO TWO: Using a picture you have taken in your project

    IMPORTANT: Prior to applying an open license, you must determine the copyright holder for your image. Only the copyright holder may license the resource.

    Photo you took for a work-related event or created as per your job duties

    Your employeer is the copyright holder. Indicate an open license by including an attribution statement. 

    Graphic or picture with no people
    Use an “attribution only” open license or Creative Commons license of your choosing.

    OSPI building

    Old Capitol Building by Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License

    Shorter Version: Photo by OSPI | CC BY

    Picture that includes people
    Use an “attribution, non-commercial, no derivatives” open license:

    Social Studies cadre

    Rubric Development Team by Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives License

    Shorter Version: Photo by OSPI | CC BY NC ND

     

    Photo taken on your own time, not related to your job duties

    You are the copyright holder. Indicate the Creative Commons open license of your choosing by including an attribution statement with the picture:

    steps in woods

    Steps by bsoots is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License

    Shorter Version: Photo by bsoots | CC BY

    You could open your own Flickr account and upload the image selecting the Creative Commons license option (CC BY preferred) to share with others.

    SCENARIO THREE: Using a picture from the Internet in your project

    Image has an open license that allows your use or is in the public domain

    Use the image and make sure to display the license info and links.

    3d figure on stack of books

    Education Concept by Charly W. Karl is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution NoDerivs License

    Shorter version: Photo by Charly W. Karl | CC BY ND

    Image does not have an open license that allows your use.

    graduation cap on books

    If there is no indication, anywhere on or near the picture, assume image is “all rights reserved” copyright alone and do not use. Try looking for a new image on one of the sites listed under Scenario One.

    SCENARIO FOUR: Using a picture you, your school, or district has purchased

    Make sure the license permits usage for your intended project.
    Often licenses are specific for one project and may not be reused in other efforts!

     

    Yes, usage for this purpose is permitted.

    Include the attribution statement indicated in the license or if none is specified, use the following:
    © CopyrightHolderName. Used with permission.

     

    No, usage for this purpose is NOT permitted.

    Use another image. Try looking for a new option on one of the sites listed under Scenario One.

    IMPORTANT TERMS

    Copyright - the legal protection that gives the copyright owner the right to reproduce, adapt, distribute, display, and perform the work. Copyright covers both published and unpublished works. Works do not need to be registered.

    Copyright licenses - outline the specific permissions and restrictions that a copyright holder grants to someone else.

    Open License (e.g. Creative Commons) – a license that grants permission to access, re-use and redistribute a work with few or no restrictions 

    Attribution –giving credit to a person or organization as the creator or copyright holder of a work. All open licenses have an attribution requirement. 

    Attribution and License

    NOTE: The contents of this document are not legal advice. Suggestions for license type are based on the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) open policy that states: … all original works of authorship produced by an OSPI employee within the scope of his or her employment for use in the state’s schools and programs will carry a Creative Commons Attribution License, version 4.0 or later…

    Attribution

    License

    cc by logo
    Unless otherwise noted, this work by the
    Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License.  All logos and trademarks are property of their respective owners.

    This resource contains links to websites operated by third parties. These links are provided for your convenience only and do not constitute or imply any endorsement or monitoring by OSPI.

    OSPI logo