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Add Video to Canvas

This page is related to Audio & Video

Overview

Canvas offers flexible options for adding video content to your course site, including recording directly to Canvas, linking, and embedding. This guide explains the different methods for adding video, whether it’s content you have created or external videos from YouTube or LinkedIn Learning.

The instructional technologists usually manage video content; however, instructors may find this guide useful for creating videos to send video announcements, video/audio assignment feedback or for sharing supplementary video content.

Canvas Media Tools

Video and audio can be recorded directly to Canvas using your webcam and microphone. This is a convenient way to record an impromptu announcement video, or record assignment feedback as an audio message, rather than typing it out. Canvas media tools also allow content owners to add caption files to videos, providing an accessible mode of delivery for all learners.

Canvas media tools are best used when:

  • the media content is less than 15 minutes long
  • you have a stable Internet connection when you record the media
  • the content is informal, unscripted or unpolished.
  • the content is only relevant to the current quarter or section.

Visit the following instruction guides by Instructure for step-by-step instructions to record a video using the rich content editor.

See the Learn More section of this page for step-by-step instructions to add captions to Canvas media.

Linking or Embedding Media in Canvas

Given certain limitations of Canvas media tools, it is likely that you will create and host your content using Canvas integrated tools like Panopto. Or you may employ content from media resources hosted online in places like Vimeo, YouTube or Soundcloud, to name a few.

No matter how the content is hosted or created, there are a few different ways to add content and display it in your course site demonstrated in the following tutorials. Before adding any content to your course site you will first need to identify the content source, and the destination for page your content. In Canvas, video content can be linked or embedded on any page that employs a content editor which includes Announcements, Assignments, Discussions, Pages, Quizzes, and the Syllabus.

Embedding Panopto Videos

Once you have uploaded your video content to Panopto, follow these steps to embed your video or playlists on your Canvas pages.

  • Navigate to your video or playlist in Panopto and hover it with your mouse. When the menu options appear upon hover, click to select Share.
    Image with arrow pointing to share button.
  • When the Share menu opens, adjust and confirm who has access: option is set to Anyone at your organization with the link. You must Save Changes to confirm the access if adjusted. If your access setting was already set to this option, you will not need to adjust or save anything.
  • Now, at the top of the Share menu, click on Embed, and your embed code will appear. It will begin with <iframe src=”https:// followed by a string of custom code for your video or playlist. Select and copy this block of code
  • Navigate to the Canvas course page where your video will be embedded and open the Rich Content Editor. Place your cursor where you want to video, then select the Insert/edit media icon within your editor, which will open a pop-up.
  • Select the Embed tab and paste your custom code block into the field. Click OK to complete this process.
  • Click the Save button.

Embedding External Media

  • Navigate to the video, playlist or audio file you would like to share and locate the embed code. These sources might include YouTube, LinkedIn Learning, and SoundCloud to name a few. The embed code is normally labeled “Share,” represented by a curved arrow, or as with Vimeo, a paper airplane.
  • Select and Copy the embed code.
  • Navigate to the Canvas course page where your video will be embedded and open the Rich Content Editor. Place your cursor where you want to video, then select the Insert/edit media icon within your editor, which will open a pop-up.
  • Select the Embed tab and paste your custom code block into the field. Click OK to complete this process.
  • Save your edits in Canvas.

Learn More

  • LinkedIn Learning also contains tutorials including technical guides to learn how to use specific technology as well as presentation skills guides to improve your on-camera performance. Begin with the Web Video Training and Tutorials and explore from there.