Guidelines for Showing Videos in the Classroom

As we head into the holiday season, this is a good time to review practices regarding showing videos, both from the teaching and learning perspective as well as legal practice.

We know that making interpretations from visual media is an important skill for students.  Standard 5 from the reading strand indicates that students should be able to:

"Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse media and formats, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words."

From the teaching and learning perspective, we believe this may be done effectively using short video clips and snippets.  Given that instructional time is a precious commodity, we believe that full-length movies should be used sparingly and must be tied directly to the curriculum unit or standard.  Commercial videos and/or full-length movies, or clips from the same should not be shown during regular school time for entertainment or reward purposes, but only for direct classroom instructional needs.  

When using video clips or a movie for instructional purposes, please consider the level of sensitivity for the audience who will be viewing the clip.  If the movie or clip has a rating suggesting parental guidance or other restriction, please obtain parental consent prior to its presentation.  

From a legal perspective, there are laws that regulate the showing of videos in school.  Videos may be shown as a part of face-to-face teaching activities as long as the copy of the movie is lawful and it is shown in a classroom or similar place devoted to instruction.  The showing of full-length videos for entertainment purposes without securing permission and/or royalties violates both copyright laws as well as our teaching and learning policies. 

In summary, below are ideas to remember when using videos in the classroom:

• We believe that video clips and the occasional movie may have positive instructional potential for students.  
• These are only to be used if they are tied directly to the unit of study or lesson goals. 
• Involve parents when you are sharing a movie or clip that has a rating beyond G or PG.  
• Please do not use videos and full-length movies as reward or entertainment during the regular school day.   
• If you have any questions about video use, please work with your building principal and district office to help make sure they match both teaching and learning expectations as well as legal guidelines. 

Thank you for your work in providing learning opportunities for our students in a variety of formats.