Creating video and audio recordings for teaching and learning can provide students with a chance to work in a different format, develop valuable new skills, and is an opportunity for reflection. But if you’ve never done anything like this before it can feel like a daunting process.
Make sure you give yourself time to understand the different options, and time for your students to try out the process before making their final submission.
A key process in the success of any of these activities is to confirm what equipment your students have and their level or access to the internet.
There are lots of different options and in this blog post we will discuss the different routes and the pro’s and con’s of each:
Uploading Video to Canvas (Computer)
Students can upload video content to either the discussion board or the assignment area.
Pros
- It is relatively easy to do: It is pretty easy to make a recording on a phone or computer and add it to a Canvas assignment or discussion board.
- It is easy to mark: The video can be played easily within Canvas, feedback and a mark can be provided within Speedgrader.
Cons
- Files can become large: The longer the presentation, the more file space on your computer it will take up. This will become a problem as the space allocation for uploading a video into Canvas is limited, read Canvas File Quotas. The recording should not be more than 5-6 minutes long. Any longer and the video might not be able to upload.
- It only records the student: This process doesn’t record the screen or any PowerPoint slides, these would have to be added as an additional PowerPoint file when uploading to Canvas.
Student Guide: Creating a Video in Canvas
Uploading Video to Canvas (Mobile)
Students can upload video content to either the discussion board or the assignment area via their mobile. This involves downloading the Canvas Student app onto their device.
Pros
- It is relatively easy to do: It is pretty easy to make a recording on a phone or computer and add it to a Canvas assignment or discussion board.
- It is easy to mark: The video can be played easily within Canvas, feedback and a mark can be provided within Speedgrader.
Cons
- File size on the phone: If the phone has limited file size because there is already a large amount of data stored on the phone, this will make it difficult for the student to make a video. They may have to delete files or make the video in a number of smaller uploaded sections rather than in one long recording. This is why having a graded discussion rather than a single assignment submission may be easier as the student could complete the process with a sequence of recordings.
- Files can become large: The longer the presentation, the more file space on your computer it will take up. This will become a problem as the space allocation for uploading a video into Canvas is limited, read Canvas File Quotas. The recording should not be more than 5-6 minutes long. Any longer and the video might not be able to upload.
- It only records the student: This process doesn’t record the screen or any PowerPoint slides, these would have to be added as an additional PowerPoint file when uploading to Canvas.
Student Guide: Video Recordings via the Canvas App
Recording Video in Panopto (Computer)
Students can record video and upload it to a Panopto assignment.
Pros
- Larger file size: Large or long recordings are less of an issue in Panopto because it is built for this purpose. Obviously, they will need file space on the laptop to do this, and need a good bandwidth to upload the file once created.
- Panopto can now be marked directly in speedgrader. Simply create an a Panopto assigment folder, and then create a Canvas assignment with the submission type ‘Text’. Students can submit work via the plugin.
Cons
- Can sometimed be complex to install: Panopto installation can be problematic depending on the computer and its operating system. But there is now a new method or recording vide via the Web. Try the new Panopto Capture tool to record video.
Student Guide: Submitting a Panopto Video
Uploading Video to Panopto (Computer)
Students can upload previously recorded video content to a Panopto assignment.
Pros
- Students don’t have to install the Panopto software: With this option student can use alternative software to record the screen. For instance Quicktime on Macs, and Gamebar on Windows. There are other software solutions such as OBS which they can download for free. However these can still be tricky to set up.
- More flexibility for more experienced video makers: If your students are used to using video recording technology the flexibility this offers could engage them in more interesting and innovative video submissions.
- Larger file size: Students can create longer videos with larger file sizes and upload them into Panopto. Obviously, they will need file space on the laptop to do this, and need a good bandwidth to upload the file once created.
Cons
- Harder to support: If students are using their own choice of video recording software, they may still get installation issues, which are harder to support. There is potential for students to pool their knowledge to help each other but this could become more about learning the technology rather than learning the content.
Uploading Video to Panopto (Mobile)
Students can upload video content to a Panopto assignment from their Mobile device. Students are required to download the Panopto app onto their device.
Pros
- Installation is simple: Students will find it easier to download and create the recordings.
Cons
- File size on the phone: If the phone has limited file size because there is already a large amount of data stored on the phone, this will make it difficult for the student to make a video. They may have to delete files or make the video in a number of smaller uploaded sections rather than in one long recording. This is why having a graded discussion rather than a single assignment submission may be easier as the student could complete the process with a sequence of recordings.
- It only records the student: This process doesn’t record the screen or any PowerPoint slides, these would have to be added as an additional PowerPoint file when uploading to Canvas.
Student Guide: Submitting a Panopto Video
Create a narrated PowerPoint (Computer)
Students can upload video content to a Panopto assignment from their Mobile device. Students are required to download the Panopto app onto their device.
Pros
- Files can become large: The longer the presentation, the more file space on your computer it will take up. This will become a problem if your computer has limited file space or if you want to email the file. Large files will also take longer to upload into Canvas. Make a test recording to see if you have file space, and to test the size of the file.
- You cannot record a video of yourself talking: This process only creates a recording of your voice. If you need to record a video of yourself you need to consider a different process. Contact your tutor for further guidance.
- Don’t talk over any slide animation: If you are using slide animations the audio will not be recorded during the animation. You need to talk before or after each anim
Cons
- You can record each slide at a time: You can record over each slide individually. This allows you to think clearly and compose yourself before making each slide recording.
- It captures any drawing or highlighting you might make on the slide: When you are making the recording you can use the presentation drawing tools to highlight or draw on the slides. This can be useful if you want to draw attention to a particular area of the slide when speaking. This will be recorded so the viewer will see what you have underlined
Student Guide: Making a Narrated PowerPoint
Hopefully we have cleared some things up, and why a particular route would be more beneficial to you. If you would like more advice about Panopto, get in touch with the Technology Enhanced Learning team via LJMUHelpMe.