These steps and will insure best results:

1.) If possible use wired Ethernet connection to broadband (ie, high speed cable).  Most internet connections have limited upload speeds, so for playing video it’s good to have the best connection possible.

2.) For best quality, download the OCW video from the Internet Archive and play locally (thus not rely on playback via Youtube.)  All OCW videos can be downloaded as MP4 from the Internet Archive. It can improve quality if the video is played native on a local machine, rather than from a YouTube stream.

3.). a.) If running videos from YouTube, load the videos for play back (or segments with bookmarks so that they start at the right time) in a browser. One can have multiple tabs and switch between each one to play it.

 b.) if running videos locally, queue up each video on the desktop.

4.) Connect to the Zoom call.

5.) In the Share Screen dialog window, click the “Share computer sound” and probably also “Optimize for full-screen video clip” at the bottom of that window.

6.) Share browser or share local video player if the videos have been downloaded from the Internet Archive

7.) Play videos in between introductions of each segment and discussion with students.

More recommendations:

• Test with a cloud recording in Zoom for playback quality.  You may have the best connection from your computer, but it will also be dependent upon remote student’s connection quality.

• As a backup, send links in the chat to each video as it is played to allow students to watch it via Youtube if their connection to Zoom is not optimal.  In addition they can go back and review the videos after the Zoom call.

• In OCW courses that have video,  the links to YouTube and the Internet Archive are found in the “Download Course Materials” section.  Example 1  Example 2

(researched by Elaine Mello, Elizabeth DeRienzo & Brett Paci) [edited by author]