Camtasia: Overview

Camtasia: An Overview

Camtasia is a downloadable application that is free to UBC faculty and students. Camtasia is an all-in-one screen recorder and video editor. Camtasia is a more advanced editing tool and allows you to add a number of visual effects to create more professional and engaging media content.

Camtasia is not integrated with Canvas. Instead, Camtasia can be downloaded (through Software Distribution Links to an external site.)  and then videos are uploaded to Canvas (using Kaltura).

Camtasia Overview

The most notable feature of the Camtasia interface is the Timeline [1]. The timeline allows you to add different layers of tracks, which can be video, audio, annotations, text etc.

Another feature to be aware of is the Canvas [2]. This window displays the video at any particular time. It shows content that has been added and allows you to edit or drag the content around. The Canvas on Camtasia is not referring to the learning platform used by UBC!

Video Editing Features

  • Camtasia provides a number of pre-built (and customizable) video templates.
  • Record computer screen and audio separately or together.
  • Camtasia provides pre-made (and customizable) special effects.
  • The user can choose sound effects and music from the Camtasia library or upload their own.
  • Titles, annotations, and call outs.
  • Cut, splice, and trim your videos and audio.
  • Create interactive quizzes (not linked to Canvas Gradebook).
  • Many more!

Camtasia Accessibility

  • The user can create captions or audio tracks for videos.
  • Assistive technologies can interpret any textual information.
  • Camtasia will not override any user selected display settings and does not use only color coding
    to distinguish between visual elements.
  • Camtasia editing features CANNOT be accessed by keyboard alone.
  • More information on accessibility in Camtasia: https://www.techsmith.com/accessibility.html Links to an external site.

Best Practices

  • When uploading your finished project to Canvas, be sure to upload it to Kaltura (My Media),
    NOT the files section. This is because the files section has a limited disk space. Uploaded videos
    here will ultimately slow down Canvas for all users.
  • Be familiar with Kaltura and the Rich Content Editor in order to upload your media correctly to
    Canvas.
  • There is the option to record audio separately and overlay it on video. This allows you to edit
    out any mistakes and record in smaller segments.
  • Use an external microphone for best audio.

 

UBC Okanagan Centre for Teaching and Learning Camtasia Directory

Updated June 2020