Tag: Insert Stuff

Posts related to the Insert Stuff tool in the HTML editor in Brightspace. This is used in commonly used on the Course Homepage, Content Modules, and Assessments.

Successful Reuse of Panopto Videos

smantleBest Practice

The significant investment in preparing content over the past year for online delivery resulted in an expansive bank of quiz questions, Panopto lecture videos, and content files within courses. These resources have a shelf-life beyond the 2020-2021 academic year, and while minimal effort is required to reuse most types of content year after year, Panopto videos may require extra attention. 

Request Access message
This image depicts the Request Access message that students see for videos they cannot access.

For instructors wishing to reuse videos from previous offerings, ETD is offering Panopto video audits to catch issues now before the semester start date. To receive an audit, please contact etd@dal.ca as soon as possible, indicating the course number(s) and providing a brief summary of the videos you wish to make available for students.  

To ensure videos will be available in future offerings with minimal finesse, it is recommended that Panopto videos be linked using the “Insert Stuff” method [https://edtechtruro.edublogs.org/2021/05/10/how-to-link-panopto-videos-in-your-course/]. 

Some course videos will need no work at all, while others may need permissions added or videos may require relinking.  

For information on re-use of Collaborate Ultra Recordings, please see the following document: https://edtechtruro.edublogs.org/2021/03/26/viewing-collaborate-ultra-session-recordings/.

How to Link Panopto Videos in Your Course

smantleBest Practice

Link to PDFTo ensure your videos are available to all students, the instructions available in the link below outlines the process of adding a Panopto-housed video to ensure ease of access to all users. You do not have to use Panopto for recording, but it is strongly recommended to use the system for embedding videos in your course.

How to Link Panopto Videos in Your Course [PDF]

Note: factors such as bitrate, aspect ratio, file size, and video length can all impact the time it takes for a video to upload and process. If you are uploading multiple videos at the same time, expect increased delays. This is simply the nature of working with video files. Please allow adequate time for this process.

Best Practise for Video Linking

smantleBest Practice

Video has become increasingly common in all Faculty of Agriculture courses, whose typical points of origin include:

  • Videos linked and shared from another server, such as YouTube or Vimeo;
  • Your own video upload (i.e. a lab demo you recorded, a PPT recording, etc.) via Panopto; and,
  • Video recorded using the Panopto recorder.

For the first bullet point, linking a YouTube video is quite flexible, in terms of your choice to link or use the provided embed code. The latter two bullet points both should involve Panopto. Think of Panopto as our own, paid-for and password-protected YouTube streaming server. Although Panopto is not perfect, understanding its limitations and working with its strengths has resulted in an overall positive experience for students and instructors alike.

While it is possible to upload a video directly to Brightspace (thus circumventing Panopto) and then link that video in the Content area, we have received reports of serious issues in viewing these videos and it is a reality that linking video files in this manner will compromise many students’ ability to view the videos. Uploading videos directly to Brightspace is not considered best practise for several reasons:

  • Low bandwidth users will experience difficulties viewing the videos;
  • Some users may be using devices or browsers that will not allow viewing the videos; and,
  • The videos will not be available for students using the Panopto app (that allows exclusively in-app video download for offline viewing).

Visit our blog post, “How to Link Panopto Videos in Your Course” for specific instructions on how to make your videos available for all students.

For assistance in linking or sharing videos from YouTube, or with uploading and linking Panopto videos, please contact etd@dal.ca.

Note: factors such as bitrate, aspect ratio, file size, and video length can all impact the time it takes for a video to upload and process. If you are uploading multiple videos at the same time, expect increased delays. This is simply the nature of working with video files. Please allow adequate time for this process.