7.15 - Video Viewing

SERIES 7 - EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM

It is the policy of Liberty Common School to instruct the approved curriculum of the school without the use of video presentations.

This policy is supported by the attached report from the Academic Advisory Committee (November 17, 2005), which is incorporated herein by reference.

In rare instances with the written approval of the Headmaster or Principal, videos may be used to compliment the instruction of the approved curriculum. The presentation of videos is particularly discouraged for younger students who are developing reading skills. When an approved video is shown, it will be done interactively and with frequent stops in order that students make connections and inferences, are prompted for questions and are discouraged from daydreaming. When explicit visual images are not critical, audio presentations (story narration and music) are preferred. When motion is not critical (e.g. art, architecture), slides, photos, and posters are preferred.

No videos which represent literature taught at school will be shown to support the instruction of that literature. No videos will be shown for ‘entertainment’ purposes.

When a digital device (computer, etc.) is used to display an approved video, the video must be displayed without any distractions such as advertisements, suggested videos, comments, or anything else not appropriate for a classroom setting. It is preferable to have videos reside on a storage device within the libertycommon.org domain for performance reasons and reliability of access. No Internet searches for videos should occur with the students viewing during class time.
Teachers wanting to use video presentations in their instruction of the approved curriculum, or for required homework, will complete the incorporated video presentation request form and submit it to the Headmaster or Principal for approval. In order to streamline the process, teachers are permitted to display up to 10 total minutes of video per semester prior to receiving approval, provided that they have completed and submitted a request form for each video. If a video is subsequently reviewed and not approved, the decision supersedes the 10 minute allowance and the video shall no longer be used in the classroom. The Headmaster or Principal may approve the following material:

• Video presentations of performances or works of art which are intended to be viewed (e.g. plays, operas, orchestras, ballets).
• Video presentations of actual events not geographically, temporally or practically accessible.
  • (e.g., A rocket launch or volcano eruption).
  • Historically accurate documentaries - factual storytelling which is not dramatized (e.g., WWII documentary).
  • Science "dry labs" which explain and demonstrate principles not practical in a school setting. Animation is acceptable for this purpose. Types of animation that are not restricted include digital simulations of events, processes, or concepts that are difficult for an instructor to clearly illustrate.
• Video presentations produced or dubbed in a foreign language where viewing is critical for comprehension.|
  
  Adopted: 03-23-2006
  Adopted: 08-27-2015