Using Videos

Visual content is key to engaging students in online courses. It is well known that using images and words together helps learning when compared to using words or images alone. The combination of images, videos, and words in small easy-to-process chunks offers a more effective teaching strategy than text-based or audio-only explanations. A well-done video Links to an external site. not only engages students but improves learning and retention. Additionally, video technologies can facilitate instructor presence Links to an external site. by helping online learners feel connected to their instructors and peers. A personal video can enhance connection in a classroom when individuals develop the sense that they are 'present' in the class, even if they are not physically in the same room.

Uploading Your Own Pre-Recorded Video

uploading and recording media from the Canvas toolbar  

To upload media from the toolbar, click the Media icon [1].

You can also upload media from the media options menu. To view additional media options, click the Media Options arrow [2]. Then select the Upload/Record Media option [3].

Recording with Canvas' Built-In Tool

You can use the Rich Content Editor to record video and audio media. You can record media for any length of time, but shorter media recordings are recommended. If your media is longer than 15 minutes, you may want to consider recording and uploading using an external provider. Longer media recordings require more time to render and may be interrupted without a stable internet connection.

Notes

  • The Safari browser does not support recording media. Please use Chrome or Firefox to record media from the Rich Content Editor.
  • Media recorded in the Rich Content Editor is saved in the Uploaded Media folder in your User Files or Group Files, depending on where it is recorded. If media is recorded for an assignment submission, the media file is stored in your User Files.

Select the Upload/Record Media option in the toolbar. You can choose your microphone and webcam settings before recording.

selecting mic and webcam options before recording in Canvas    

The media recorder connects to your computer's default microphone and webcam.

To change your microphone settings, click the Mic button [1]. Then select from the displayed options [2].

To change your webcam settings, click the Webcam button [3]. To disable video recording, select the No Video option [4].

Click the Start Recording button to begin.

finishing recording video on Canvas  

The media recorder displays the length of your current recording [1].

To restart your recording, click the Start Over button [2].

To finish your recording, click the Finish button [3].

previewing recorded media on Canvas

Preview your recorded media in the media recorder [1].

To title your media, type in the Title field [2].

To embed your media in the Rich Content Editor, click the Save button [3].

view embedded media on Canvas  

After clicking Save, your uploaded media file will appear in the Rich Content Editor.

Videos recorded using the Rich Content Editor in Canvas will have a smaller display, as shown above. The video will expand to full-width across all devices when played. It is not necessary to center-align videos recorded within Canvas.

Using an External Video with <iframe> Embed Code

Copy the embed code from the original creator's website and paste it into the HTML editor on Canvas (click the </> icon in the bottom right corner when editing a page to trigger HTML view). The video will appear on the page like the example below after clicking 'Save'.

Learn how you can make the best out of the new Rich Content Editor in Canvas.

Source: 107 - Rich Content Editor (RCE) Links to an external site. from Instructure Canvas Community Links to an external site. on Vimeo Links to an external site..

Embedding a YouTube Video

Pasting YouTube URL into Rich Content Editor

Simply pasting the YouTube URL in the Rich Content Editor will trigger a small preview as shown in the example below. The advantage of this option is that the video will automatically expand to a set size on both mobile and web devices, but it may not be large enough for your purposes. No alignment is needed in this case.

Watch: Canvas and the Reimagined Classroom

https://youtu.be/ZQPNNd0u1Qk Links to an external site. 

Embedding YouTube <iframe> Code in the HTML Editor

Using the <iframe> embed option in Canvas' HTML Editor will provide you with a more professional look on a browser and students will not have to leave the learning space. 

To adjust the aspect ratio of videos, follow the common size for iframe embeds: 640x320 or 640x360.  If you are including multiple video embeds on one page, it's more appealing and less distracting if you keep the widths of all the videos the same. If you would like support in customizing videos for your courses, contact ets@educ.ubc.ca.

Additional Resources