Using Video in Online Instruction

Educational videos are a valuable instructional tool, especially in online instruction. There are a few important considerations to remember when using video clips in online classes.

Use Links When Possible

Whenever possible, provide students with links to view your videos directly on their own devices, rather than playing it through screen sharing in Zoom. This avoids a host of technical and copyright complications.

Consider making video clips an asynchronous part of your instruction, especially for longer clips.

Playing Clips through Zoom

When it is not possible or not practical to provide students with a way to view a video clip directly on their own devices, you can play a video for them from your computer over screen sharing. There are a few important settings that make this more successful. In the screen sharing selection menu:

  • Make sure “Share Computer Sound” is checked.
  • Make sure “Optimize Screen Sharing for Video Clip” is checked.
  • Share only the window that has your video, not the entire screen.
screen shot of zoom screen sharing menu showing recommended settings.
Click to enlarge image

Copyright Considerations

If you choose to show copyrighted commercial videos through screen sharing, there are a few important legal limitations. Here are a few of the most basic ones:

  • The teacher may only show “reasonable and limited portions” of a film. (Don’t show an entire documentary video.)
  • The video must be related to the curricular goals of the course.
  • The video must be legally acquired.
  • Teachers may not circumvent copyright protection measures to change the format of a video (e.g. ripping a DVD to a file).

The Copyright Act at §110(1) (face to face teaching exemption) allows for the performance or display of video or film in a classroom where instruction takes place in classroom with enrolled students physically present and the film is related to the curricular goals of the course. The TEACH Act amendment to the Copyright Act, codified at § 110(2), permits the performance of a reasonable and limited portion of films in an online classroom. Under the TEACH Act, there is the express limitation on quantity, and an entire film will rarely constitute a reasonable and limited portion. Instructors may also rely upon fair use for showing films in an online course, although showing an entire film online also may not constitute fair use. 

Copyright on Campus, University of Florida

More detail about the TEACH Act can be found in this summary from the American Library Association. If you need more information, please don’t hesitate to ask your library media specialist!

How to Take a Screenshot

There are lots of reasons you may want to capture an image of what’s on your device screen, including getting faster help from tech support. Here are instructions for the most common devices.

TIP: If you are capturing a screen shot to help get technical support, send the image of the full screen; don’t crop the image.

Windows

Press the PrtScn (Print Screen) key to copy a screen shot to the clipboard, then paste it into an email or document.

OR

Press the Windows logo key + Shift + S keys to open Snip & Sketch. Press the button closest to the X to take a full screen snip. [Detailed Instructions]

Mac

Press the Shift + Command + 3 keys. Click on the thumbnail to edit or wait for the image to save to your desktop. [Detailed Instructions]

Chromebook

Press the Ctrl + Show Windows keys. [Detailed Instructions]

iPad

Depending on the model, either press the Top button and the Home button at the same time, or press the Top button and the Volume Up button at the same time. [Detailed Instructions]

iPhone

Depending on the model, either press the Side button and the Volume Up button at the same time, or press the Side button and the Home button at the same time. [Detailed Instructions]

Android

Press the Power button and Volume down button at the same time for a few seconds. If this does not work, try pressing the Power button only for a few seconds. [Detailed Instructions]

Online Learning: Getting Tech Help for Students

The following is an overview of how tech help will be provided to students during CCSD online learning days.


CTLS Learn Login Help

  1. Instructions for finding login credentials and accessing the system are provided on our CTLS webpage: campbellcommons.com/CTLS
  2. If students need a password reset, they can request one here: campbellcommons.com/RESET
  3. Basic login troubleshooting steps and instructions for contacting the CCSD Help Desk are here: campbellcommons.com/CTLS#HELP

Campbellhigh.net Google Account Login Help

  1. Instructions for finding login credentials and accessing the system are provided on our G Suite for Education page: campbellcommons.com/GOOGLE
  2. If students need a password reset, they can request one here: campbellcommons.com/RESET
  3. To switch between personal and school Google accounts, follow the instructions here: http://www.campbellcommons.com/google/logging-in-to-multiple-google-accounts/

CCSD Laptop Tech Help

Families with CCSD-issued laptops can request technical support through the CCSD Help Desk.

Parent Support:

Student Support:

TIP: Receive much faster email support by including all of the following information:

  • Service Tag/serial number from the bottom of the laptop (required)
  • Student name and ID number
  • A full description of the problem
  • A full screen (uncropped) screen shot of the error (instructions).
    If you are NOT able to include a screen shot, be sure to also include:
    • Browser and version
    • Full URL where the error occurred
    • Exact error messages encountered and other text on the screen