Introduction

Consider adding at the beginning: Video announcements are a great way to show instructor presence in your Canvas course. It shows your commitment to teaching, and creates a sense of community to your classroom. Consider doing these videos in a just-in-time fashion (e.g. once a week at the beginning or end of the course week) to further invite inclusion for all those in the course. 

Length

A Canvas announcement video should be quick. Generally, we recommend videos to be less than 5 minutes in length. Canvas announcements will not migrate to future semesters, so it’s best to make videos with content that is not crucial to course design features. It’s okay to be ‘in-the-moment’ in your content as opposed to the more permanent or evergreen Module Overview or Lecture videos. 

Examples

Here are some examples of types of announcements that this would be great for:

  • Quick Welcome to the course videos (substantial orientation videos should go into the Module 1 Overview page)
  • Information about what next week’s going to look like
  • Feedback on how the previous week went
  • Information about big assignments and quizzes coming up
  • Current events and news articles related to course topics
  • Information about in-person event opportunities such as field trips, networking events and course topic relevant events. 

Step 1: Go to Announcements Page

To make an announcement, go to Announcements on the left-hand navigation menu in your course.

Screenshot with an arrow pointing at the Announcements page link in Canvas

Step 2: Create New Announcement

On the Announcements page go to the top-right and click on the blue + Announcement button.

Screenshot with arrow pointing at the add Announcement button

Step 3: Begin Embedding Video in Rich Content Editor

In Rich Content Editor, place the flashing text cursor where you want the embedded video to appear.

Screenshot showing the Rich Content Editor with an outlined box showing the toolbar

 

In the Rich Content Editor’s toolbar, click on the Kaltura icon that looks like a circle with radial beams around it. This is the Kaltura Video Embed icon.

Screenshot showing Kaltura embed toolbar button in Rich Content Editor

Step 4: Record Quick Kaltura Video in Canvas

Note: If you have a previously recorded video in Kaltura, you can embed your pre-existing video from Mediaspace.

Upon clicking the Kaltura Video Embed icon, a window will appear with four options:

  1. Upload Media
  2. More Media Options
  3. Record Webcam
  4. Add from YouTube

Click on the option Record Webcam.

Screenshot with arrow pointing to the Record Webcam selection

 

On the Make Short Webcam Recording window, you will see some quick instructions and a small frame below with a video camera icon, microphone icon and a red circle.

Screenshot showing the window for recording your video

 

Webcam Recording Troubleshooting

  • If the feed from your webcam is not populating in this frame, you will need to select your webcam from the drop-down menu by clicking on the video camera icon. 
  • You might need to select the audio input from the drop-down menu with the microphone to make sure you can record your voice. 
  • There is also a chance that your browser may ask for permission to access your webcam and microphone. You will want to accept this access for the video and audio feed to work.

Recording Webcam Video

Once you are ready, click on the Start Recording (red circle button) to begin recording. You will get a 3, 2, 1 countdown before your recording begins. 

When you are done recording, click on the red button with the white square in it to stop recording. You then have three options:

  1. Record Again
  2. Download a Copy
  3. Use This

At this point you have a chance to review your recording. If you are unhappy with your recording, click on the Record Again button below. If you are satisfied with your recording, click on the blue Use This button.

Screenshot showing the options you can choose once you are done recording

Step 5: Select Video to Embed

The video will then upload to Kaltura/Mediaspace. After the upload is complete, click on the blue </> Embed button on the top right.

Image of the Embed button

Step 6: Sending Out the Announcement

Your video will appear in the Rich Content Editor field. At this point, you can add any additional content to your post.

Screenshot showing the embedded video in the Rich Content Editor text-field for your announcement

 

Once you are ready to send out the announcement, click on the blue Publish button at the bottom of the page. Your Announcement is now published and is automatically sent to your students’ email inbox to view.

If you have questions or want to set up a media consultation for further media work, use our CCAPS ATD Service Request Form.