Kaltura: Recording Tools vs Canvas Recording Tool

There are multiple options for students to utilize should a video be required in a specific course. While there is no wrong tool for creating and storing a multimedia file, there are better tools to select for longer videos. All students have access to Kaltura My Media as a multimedia repository to save and share videos. Within Kaltura My Media, two tools are available to create multimedia files. The files uploaded to Kaltura My Media can be integrated into a Canvas course using the Kaltura integration tool found in the Rich Content Editor. 

Note: If you are using Kaltura My Media for the first time, your account must be authorized and created.  To do this, go into Canvas>Account>My Media and follow the appropriate prompts for setting up your Kaltura My Media account.  

Canvas can store multimedia files, but it comes with many limitations including limits to file storage. The Canvas media recorder can be found in the Rich Content Editor and can be used to record a video with a microphone and web camera input. It does not include an option to record a screen capture. 

Instructors:

• It is ideal if you can direct students to use the best recording tool for the task and provide instructions that help to eliminate barriers should your students not know how to create and share a multimedia file. If you are unsure of which tool to recommend, please contact cetl@uwec.edu to get connected to an instructional partner who can help you with this process. 
• While Canvas is sometimes a good option for students, instructors should use Kaltura for their videos and then embed them in Canvas. This reduces the risk of running out of storage within your Canvas course. It also includes the option for videos to be captioned. 

A basic comparison of the tools and media repositories

Multimedia Tool Comparison

There is no right or wrong way to utilize the tool, but tools do come with limitations that when used incorrectly can sometimes lead to frustration. The following chart is a basic comparison of Kaltura My Media video creation tools and the Canvas recorder.

Multimedia Repository

There are a lot of features to think about when requiring students to create and share videos within a course. Please see the following table to understand the differences between the multimedia repositories available. 

When should students use Canvas for recordings?

• The video is fairly short - approximately 1-3 minutes and under the 500 MB Canvas limit.
• They are recording with a computer webcam or with a phone camera (not a recording of their computer screen).
• Editing features are not needed.
• Captions are not needed. 

Canvas Instructions for Students: 

• How to record a video using the Canvas Recorder in the Rich Content Editor (Canvas guide)
• How to upload and embed a media file from my computer (Canvas guide)
• If using the Canvas Student app: Apple/iOS users / Android users
  • We do not have Arc, so ignore those instructions.
  • Contact Canvas Help if you have trouble.
• If you recorded a video using the Canvas media tools, you can download a copy of your video from Canvas and upload it to Kaltura My Media if needed.

Tips for Instructors Assigning Canvas Recordings: 

• Discussions only offer one way for students to submit recordings, using the rich content editor. Share the instructions above with students since it will not be obvious to them. No specific settings are required on the instructor's part. 
• Assignments offer many ways for students to submit recordings. Choosing the Media Recording submission type will make it easy for students to record or upload on a computer or mobile device. In this case, both of the guides above will help guide students. 

When should students use Kaltura for recordings?

• The video is longer than 3 minutes (approximately) or the rendered file will be over the 500 MB Canvas limit. 
• The video includes a screencast, which is a recording of your computer screen like a how-to technology video (rather than recording your webcam or uploading from a mobile device).
• The video will need to be shared using a URL or shared outside of Canvas. 
• The video needs to be edited/trimmed or clips need to be shared. 
• The video needs to be captioned (autogenerated captions are added to each Kaltura video automatically once it is uploaded to My Media).
• The video platform needs to be consistent, which helps develop a more intentional student experience. 

Kaltura Instructions:

• Determine which Kaltura Recording Program students should use: Kaltura Web Recorder (internet browser-based) or Kaltura Capture (desktop application). Students with weak internet connections should be encouraged to use the Kaltura Capture desktop application when creating a video and should move to a location with stronger internet for it to be successfully uploaded to My Media.  
• Once the video is recorded and saved in My Media, it is best practice to review and edit the automatic-machine captions. 
• When done, upload and embed a video in Canvas using the rich content editor.

NOTE: if you are uploading from a mobile device, access Kaltura My Media through Canvas in a browser as if you are on a computer – do not use the Canvas Student app. You will not have the necessary features to use Kaltura through the Canvas Student app. Do not download a Kaltura app either. The browser should function but will involve pinching and zooming to access the buttons accurately on a phone.