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Selection of videos
to be shown in schools is the responsibility
of classroom teachers and school principals
as described in district policy on
instructional materials.
The basic rule-of-thumb
is:
Videos may be used in
classrooms, as an integral part of
written lesson plans, in a manner
called by law "face-to-face
teaching."
As with the use of all non-basic instructional materials, the teacher starts with the purpose of the lesson and selects resources and lessons that lead to intended student learning.
Videos and DVDs may not be used as rewards, part of a party, or for a rainy day activity, unless special licensing is purchased (public performance rights). Even then, the video or DVD needs to meet all of the requirements for non-basic instructional materials in terms of bias, quality, and instructional merit. The use of videos for face-to-face teaching is covered by the Fair Use provisions of copyright law and by district policies about selection of instructional materials (2311p) and copyright (2025p).
To comply with copyright law, staff need to document in the lesson plan the specific clip used for instructional purposes, referring either to the time index for videos or the chapter or scene in DVDs. Staff are expected to show only specific clips of movies and focus on them for student work and discussion.
Videos used as part of written, planned lessons in classrooms may be borrowed from the district video library, or public library, or purchased, or rented from a commercial video store. Videos and DVDs may only be rented for classroom use from agencies or companies that allow for such use. Many retail video rental stores have strict license agreements prohibiting use with large, non-home audiences. These restrictions may also apply to the use of videos purchased for home use. However, staff can comply with copyright law and honor these restrictions by documenting use of the video or DVD in lesson plans as described above.
For secondary students, if there
is a compelling reason to use a film
that it is anticipated will be controversial,
or a movie with an "R" rating,
the practice is to write a permission
slip describing the movie, the curricular
goals and learning outcomes, the connecting
assignments and rationale, and the
issues of concern. This is an actual
permission slip that needs to be signed,
returned, and used as the ticket for
admission to the showing. The letter
home will describe an option for students
whose parents don't wish them to see the movie.
For a quick refresher,
consult this table, "Copyright
and Fair Use Guidelines for Teachers."
All Bellingham school libraries have
copies of Copyright Condensed, a pamphlet
available for copying and distribution
to teachers. Extra copies are available
from the Department of Instructional
Technologies and Libraries (676-6526).
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