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Library Resources as Course Materials

Using Streaming Media in Class

Showing DVDs and Videos in class via Zoom

*Copyright advice presented below is from Kyle K. Courtney, Esq., Harvard University, transmitted March 2020 during a Virtual Copyright Office Hour session as told to Kate Holvoet.

If you have a legally purchased DVD (your personal property or checked out from the Library), playing the DVD on your computer and sharing your screen via Zoom falls within copyright Fair Use under the following conditions:

  1. Don't record the session
  2. Only allow registered students in the course to access the Zoom session. Distribute the link via Blackboard/Canvas for example, not on the open web.
  3. DVDs will work for screen sharing, but streaming services may be able to detect the screen share and disable that ability (So Netflix/Hulu may not work due to their technology). While Netflix and other services may have terms of service that disallow screen sharing, there is no market harm from this activity if there is no time or ability to negotiate public display rights with the vendor.

Technical advice for sharing your screen in Zoom to show a DVD or video (YouTube, etc.):

  • You need to enable sharing for sound as well.
    • Click the Share Screen button at the bottom of your Zoom screen.
    • Check the Share Computer Sound and Optimize Screen Sharing for Video Clip in the share screen pop up window.
    • Make sure your volume is an appropriate level.
  • Select the screen showing your video clip so that others can see the content.
  • It is recommended that all participants turn off their cameras for the duration of the video and that student participants mute their sound.
  • Mac users may find that the native DVD player blocks the video when you share your screen.  If this happens we recommend downloading and using VLC Media Player to run DVDs instead.

         4. Use only the portion necessary to support your pedagogy (don't show the whole thing unless you must).

         5. Instructor commentary and lecture during the course of the video greatly increases the fair use defense of this activity.

What if my computer doesn't have a DVD drive?

The Library has several USB DVD drives available for checkout.  If you are planning to show multiple DVDs throughout the semester, or across multiple classes, you might want to purchase a USB DVD drive of your own.  They retail on Amazon starting under $35.

Using Streaming Media from the Library

The library subscribes to multiple streaming media (video and audio) services, such as Swank, AVON, Kanopy, Daniel's Orchestral, and more. You are freely allowed to use these materials in your course in their entirety, or in part, and an unlimited number of users can access the title simultaneously. You can access a complete list of the streaming services the library subscribes to at the link below.

To use a subscribed streaming media title, please:

  1.  
  2. Notify the library of all the titles you plan to use for your course, and specify the semester, even if the title is currently active in our package.  This will allow the Library to ensure that licenses will not run out before your intended use.  You can fill out the Faculty Streaming Video Request form below.

  3. Distribute links via Canvas/Blackboard, not on the open web or through email.

Putting Streaming Media Links in the LMS

What if the video I want isn't available from the Library?

If there is a title you would like to use that is not active in one of our packages, please request it through the Faculty Streaming Video Request form. We may be able to activate a title available more broadly within a package, or purchase a physical DVD that can be used during a Zoom lecture following the advice above. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, not every movie or video is available to be licensed or purchased by the library.

What about streaming services like Netflix or Hulu?

Popular services such as Netflix and Hulu have a direct to consumer model.  Despite repeated requests from universities and public libraries, they do not have institutional accounts that would let the library subscribe to the service and offer the content to our patrons. There is no way the library can provide access to series or original content unless the service chooses to make that content available on DVD or through some other stand alone means (or for free). Netflix does allow educational use of a small selection of documentaries, and have made those titles available through the Netflix US YouTube channel. These titles may swell and decline at the discretion of Netflix.

Can I use YouTube in class (in person or online)?

Yes!  According to YouTube's terms of service, you are free to add YouTube links to your Canvas/Blackboard course, and to embed YouTube videos into your courses. You are also free to create your own videos, upload them to YouTube, and use them in your course.

What about copyright and Fair Use when using streaming media in my course?

In your course, if you are merely providing links or embed code to the material (YouTube, library database, OneSearch, etc.), you are not violating copyright. Please do not download a media file and upload it to your course unless it is an OER with an explicit Creative Commons license, or you have written permission from the copyright holder, or you yourself are the creator. Online library materials are licensed to be linked to for course use, and for individual/personal printing/downloads. Scanning physical library materials (DVDs or books) is a violation of copyright.  The services we subscribe to track usage and provide us with usage data that helps us make purchasing and renewal decisions.

The Student Ability Success Center (SASC) handles providing accessibility accommodations, and they will handle any copyright issues associated with providing video and audio transcripts.

If you have any questions about fair use in the classroom at SDSU, feel free to contact Kate Holvoet in the library.  You can also walk through a Fair Use assessment for any copyrighted material you are considering using in class to see if your intended use falls within Fair Use. Columbia University has a well known Fair Use Checklist that they have made available to the public.

I've heard about "In Video Quizzing" - how do I do that?

You can learn more about using Canvas Studio or PlayPosit from the VFIT center.