Q. Can I show films in the classroom?

Yes. Using films, TV programs, etc. for teaching in the classroom is allowed under 17 USC Section 110. 

Some Specifics:

• Viewing should be limited to only students enrolled in the class.
• Showing films and TV programs in the distance education classroom (Canvas or other online learning platforms) or as part of a hybrid class is also allowed, but they must be the same amount or duration as what was or would have been shown in the physical classroom.

However, streaming videos have some technical limitations due to digital rights management:

• We do not recommend synchronous viewing through a screen sharing program. Most users report playback issues, poor video quality, and audio disruptions.
• We recommend students view videos on their own before class and use class time for discussion. Or students can all watch a video at the same time on their own screens while Zoom is open for discussion in a different window. Most of our video streaming providers offer unlimited simultaneous access to content, so a whole class connecting at once will not be a problem.
• Some of our streaming vendors allow their films to be shown in front of a classroom on one screen and others do not. Generally, videos specifically designed for classroom use are more lenient and Hollywood feature films are stricter in how they can be shown.
• To stream films in the classroom, try connecting your laptop directly to the room system with HDMI or USB-C cables (available in some classrooms). It is recommended that you do not involve Cynap in this.

Some of our vendors contractually prohibit "virtual broadcasting" even though the viewing is for educational purposes. When trying to screen-share videos from some of our providers, students may just see a black screen. Here are the specifics:

 Viewing Not Available with Screen Sharing Programs (Zoom, Cynap, etc.):

• Alexander Street Video -Sony Pictures Classics  
• Kanopy
• Swank
• Ambrose Video
• Digital Theatre Plus

Viewing Available through Screen Sharing Programs:

• All other Alexander Street Video titles
• Bloomsbury Publishing (Drama Online)
• Infobase (Films on Demand and Feature Films for Education)
• SAGE (SAGE Video and SAGE Research Methods: Video)
• Adam Matthew Digital
• Berliner Philharmoniker Digital Concert Hall
• Naxos Video Library
• Visual History Archive
• Gleeditions
• Fortunoff Video Archive for Holocaust Testimonies
• Videos hosted on the UTK Streaming Video server
• Digital video files playable in OneSearch
• Psychotherapy.net