Developing resources for Hwb

A Hwb resource is an educational material or tool that supports learning, teaching and professional learning. Resources can include:

• interactive activities
• videos
• other digital content

Resources are displayed on a resource card. This shows the information about the resource and how to access it.

Hwb publishing criteria

Resources must:

• be free to use and access
• be non-commercial in nature
• comply with the Welsh language standards
• meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)

Resources must not:

• link to websites that require a further login or request for details
• promote any product, service or organisation where there is any commercial activity
• force a user to purchase anything in order to access or use the resource

Where your resource should live

Resources should only live in one place on the site. There are two options for publishing resources on Hwb.

Hosting

If your resource is not available elsewhere online it can be stored directly (hosted) on Hwb’s platform. This means users can access and use the resource from Hwb without needing to visit another website.

Resources hosted on Hwb must comply with accessibility requirements and Welsh language standards.

You must ensure any links on your website direct users to the Hwb-hosted resource. 

Meic Cymru gives examples of how to do this.

Signposting

This means the resource is not stored on Hwb. Hwb will provide users with a link to a HTTPS secure bilingual external website. Users will need to visit the external website to access the resource. For example, if your resources are already hosted on your website, we can link directly to them from Hwb, like BBC Bitesize.

Copyright

How to use copyrighted text

What to do

Wherever possible you should create and use your own text in a resource for Hwb.

If another person’s text is being used in a resource this must only be for the purpose of quotation. Any quotation must be:

• accompanied by an appropriate citation 
• limited to what is necessary for the purpose of illustrating the point made

What to avoid

• You must not scan textbooks, newspapers, magazines or any other printed material and use it in a resource for Hwb.
• Copying out by hand or typing out text for purposes other than direct quotation.

Copyright for images

Photographs and illustrations, including those found on search engines such as Google Images and Bing Images, are protected by copyright and cannot be used without the permission of the owner.

Some websites, such as Wikimedia Commons, host images for reuse under Creative Commons licenses. Some are ‘public domain’ which are free to use. However, some of these images are subject to ‘attribution’ licenses which require you to credit the copyright owner.

Use sites such as Pixabay, Pexels and Unsplash which have a number of copyright-free and attribution-free images available to download. Search for photographs on Flickr under the filter ‘No known copyright restrictions’.

Copyright for audio and video

What to consider

Audio and video clips are protected by copyright. Do not use them in a resource unless you have:

• created them yourself
• the express permission of the creator

Buying a CD, DVD, Blu-ray or digital file does not give you the right to use the content without restriction. You are only buying the physical media and the right to listen to the music or watch the film for personal use. 

As with images, just because a clip is already online doesn’t mean it’s in the public domain and therefore free to use.

What to avoid

• Instead of embedding an online video in your resource, link to the clip on YouTube. 
• Take care when using audio clips that you have ‘bought’ online, such as sound effects, as the licence terms may be limited to personal use only.

Further information

For information on copyright, refer to the Copyright Licensing Agency or the Intellectual Property Office.