Embed EchoVideo Media in Canvas (recommended for Modules)

Overview

This article covers how to embed media in Canvas, it is not for an EchoVideo course. However, any content created from a classroom is in your Library that you could embed. Note: Embedding content can be accessed and viewed on a computer or within the Canvas student app.

Embedding media in Canvas is a quick way for publishing new videos and getting them in front of your students or for media you are reusing from previous semesters. Allowing students to watch the video right where it was embedded, keeping students in one place. The embed media button provided by EchoVideo is available inside of Canvas with the Rich Content Editor (RCE) via the plug-shaped icon. All media embedded will import to other Canvas courses without an EchoVideo course. You can embed one video at a time or multi-select videos, watch this short video on creating a playlist. 

Top 5 Advantages of using the media embed button

  1. You don't need to request an EchoVideo course. You have access to embed any media in your Library.
  2. Embedding videos do not use up your Canvas course storage, they are stored in EchoVideo.
  3. Embedded media imports to other Canvas courses. 
  4. You can embed media in Canvas via the Rich Content Editor (e.g., Announcement, Assignment, Discussion, Page, Quiz).
  5. You can add the Canvas content type to a Module.

Features of the using the embed media button

  • Embed media from your Library as video player.
  • Post a link instead of the video player.
  • Create and embed a Playlist when you select more than one video.
  • Create new media with Universal Capture or Browser Capture.
  • Upload a video then embed it, provides a placeholder until it finishes processing.

Need more information? Explore a Detailed Overview

The rest of this article walks you through the various embed options with screen shots and tips. Review the article sections below.


Advantages of Embedding in Canvas

All your videos store in your Library, they are always available for you to edit, reuse, and share inside of Canvas. Click the expandable panels below to view the answer.

Embedding Videos vs an EchoVideo Course

Engage in Discussion and View Analytics

Faculty Tips and Recommendations

Benefits of Embedding for Students

Adding Course Content to a Canvas Module

If you have not already added your course content type (e.g., Page, Discussion, Assignment or Quiz) to a Module, these Canvas help guides below will show you the steps. If you are not using Modules. Proceed to the section below, "View instructions: Embedding in Canvas."

Embed Media in Canvas with EchoVideo

There are two ways you can embed your media in Canvas using the embed media tool. The media window will allow you either embed a video or post a video link. 

View Instructions: Embedding a Video in Canvas

If you prefer to watch a video demonstration, view Embedding Echo360 Media in Canvas. Note: The video doesn't include the latest updates to the easy embed tool, but the remainder of this article does include the latest updates.
  1. In Canvas, create or edit an existing content type (e.g., Announcement, Assignment, Discussion, Page, Quizzes, or Syllabus) which features the Rich Content Editor (RCE). The RCE provides a toolbar with options for adding and formatting text, inserting images, adding tables, and more. 
  2. In the content window, place your cursor where you would like to embed your media or a secure link.
  3. Open the app menu. Look for the Apps (plug icon) and click Echo360. or if you don't see it click "View all" then from the list of Apps that integrate in Canvas, click Echo360

    Canvas Rich Content Editor - Access plug icon or Apps menu - click Echo360
     
  4. When you select the Echo360 button, you will see a menu of options to select from. In the window pop up, click Launch Media Picker.

    EchoVideo Easy Embed - Launch Media Picker
     
  5. Find your media. By default, you will see the most recent content on the right side of the window. On the left side, you can filter in several ways to find your media. Instructors will also see media from a Collection where you have been given "Post" permissions. To locate your media, you can type in a keyword in the Search box, or select the Filter options. Once you've selected your media, click "Next."
    EchoVideo embedded video launching media

    Tip: Quickly find your most recent media Sort by > Date Created. To find older media you can use the filter options (left) for Courses, Section, Term, or by Date (allows you to select a specific time frame with a start date and end date).
     
  6. Selecting your media. You can search by keyword or choose other Filter Options, (see image above). After you have located the media, you want to embed. Click the image thumbnail to select it, (you will see a rectangle surrounding your video). Click "Next". 
    Note: If you select multiple videos, you will be creating a Playlist instead of embedding a single video.

    EchoVideo Media Selected for embedding
  7. Select your Embed options. The media you select shows as a thumbnail with the embedding options* to choose from, (see sample image below). *Embed Options: Choose a Size (640x420 default), Start At (allows the embedded video to start at a specific time instead of the beginning), Autoplay (will enable Automute), Discussions (enables a panel where students can post a question, comment, or upload a image ), or Link (allows you to embed a link to your video instead of an embedded video).

    When you are finished adjusting your embed options, click "Embed" (bottom-right of the window). 

    Echo360 Embed window in Canvas


    How to Turn off the Discussion Link?
    Click the raspberry pink Discussions button to disable it. Be mindful that students won't be able to ask Questions (publicly or anonymously) or participate in a Discussion with their classmates when Discussions is turned off. Using Discussions helps students that don't raise their hand in class participate, they can ask questions without others knowing, only the instructor can see who has asked a question when its posted anonymously. Explore more about viewing and monitoring Discussions.

  8. Repeat steps above to add more audio or videos. Once you are done embedding your video(s) click click Save or Save & Publish as appropriate. if you are not ready for students to see it, click Save.
You can post a link to the media instead of embedding it, click the Link slider button to enable it. Refer to the section below, "Embed a Secure Video Link".


Embed a Secure Video Link 

You can embed a video link instead of embedding a video to save space in your content window. The name of your video will be seen when you use the link option. Tip: To ensure students click on the video link. 

Follow the same steps when embedding a video.

  1. In the Embed options window, toggle on the Link option as shown in the image below. 
  2. Click Embed (bottom-right) of the window.

    EchoVideo Embed Link

Once the content type is published, students and users enrolled in your course can watch the embedded video(s) play on their screen.

Finished Video or Link is Embedded

NOTE: If you selected Autoplay (video will Automute) or Start At configurations for the video, those are enabled for the viewer. 

Once the individual video(s) are embedded with the video player or link.  Users enrolled in your Canvas course can access and view the embedded video.

Videos embedded in Canvas with EchoVideo media tool

After video(s) are embedded, students can play back and watch the video right on the Canvas content type, you can use the Discussion tool (bottom-left) and quickly access Analytics (bottom-right) directly from the video player, as shown in the sample image below. Instructors can also access all Analytics from the tab in the left menu in Canvas, titled "EchoVideo Course Analytics."

EchoVideo Embedded Player Accessing the Dicussion and Analytics


Create Playlists

Instructors can now create Playlists when they multi-select EchoVideo content (video and audio). You can enforce the order of the selected videos, prevent users from viewing the next video before watching the previous one, and can choose for the next video to autoplay.  Article: Creating a Playlist - (support.echo360.com).

First release features

  • Playlists cannot be edited once they have been saved. 
  • Only audio and video content can be embedded. Note: Embedding presentations and spherical videos will be part of the easy embed tool in 2025.
  • No Analytics for the playlist yet, however, Analytics for individual media is gathered and can be viewed.

Viewing Media in a Playlist

The Playlist will show the first video of your Playlist by default. To view the Playlist, viewers need to click the menu (left of the video player), see sample image below.

Note: We recommend to view the Playlist in a new browser window, click Expand button (bottom-right of the new player.) Note: Any configurations you selected for "Autoplay" or "Start At" for your Playlist will be applied.

EchoVideo New Player - open playlist     Sample playlist in EchoVideo

Create New, Upload, and Manage Embedded Media

The EchoVideo embed tool also provides options to create new media and upload media to your Library. You can embed a video after creation or uploading it, if a video has not finished processing you will see a place holder titled "Not Yet Ready." At any time you can remove an embedded video and replace it.

Create New Media

Creating new videos is very simple when your inside of Canvas. You can launch either Universal Capture (requires software installed on your compuer) or Browser Capture, it works online in your web browser (Chrome, MS Edge, or Firefox), on any computer including Chromebooks and Netbooks).

NOTE: Automatic Speech Recognition is enabled for all videos. If you need transcripts for older content that you are going to reuse, you can request a transcript by filling out our EchoVideo Transcript Request form and ITS can request your transcripts for specific videos.

EchoVideo embed - Create Content

Upload Existing Media

You can upload a audio or video file from your computer then embed it in Canvas, all in one single process without having to log into your Library. Start by clicking Upload Media, see sample image below. Explore this help article on how to upload and embed media in your LMS/Canvas.

EchoVideo Embed - Upload Content
 

Remove an Embedded Video or Link

To remove embedded video(s) or links to them that are old or no longer needed from a content type in Canvas (e.g., Page, Assignment, Discussion, or Announcement), please follow these quick steps:

  1. Edit the Page, Assignment, Discussion, etc. as you normally would. 
  2. To remove the video there are two methods based on if you embedded the video player or a video link.
    • Embedded a video with text underneath: Put your cursor directly to the left of line before the embedded video, and press backspace on your keyboard. Now you should see your cursor blinking at bottom right corner of the embedded video, again press backspace on your keyboard. The video is removed. Repeat the steps as needed.

      Sample of embedded video
       
    • Embedded link to your video: Click within the link you want to remove then select "Remove Link." The link to the video is removed. Alternatively, you can also highlight the link then press Backspace on your keyboard.

      Sample of embedded video how to remove the embedded link.
       

Access and View Media Analytics in EchoVideo

You can access media analytics from different locations (see screenshots below) in EchoVideo. For specific media, you can access the video Analytics (chart icon, bottom-right) directly from the embedded video itself. To view a consolidated overview of all video views for all media published click the Analytics tab (top menu) next to the blue Create button.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are monitoring video views for embedded media, always refer to the individual media Analytics in your Library for accuracy, or through the consolidated Analytics tab (views are updated hourly). If you are using an EchoVideo course and embedding videos within Canvas, video views will NOT be reported on the course Analytics page. 

How does EchoVideo Track Video Views After a Class? EchoVideo tracks ALL usage (video views) regardless of how it was captured Live Stream or recorded. The data includes student names, total views, total view time (duration), number of times a student joined a Live stream or viewed a recording, and the last viewed Date.

How does Video Analytics work? EchoVideo analytics includes ALL VIEWS whether the students have watched or interacted with the content in the DURING or AFTER class. The video views are updated hourly. 

  • Embedded video player: Click the chart icon (bottom-right), to quickly see video views in your library (sample image below). Note: The mini player doesn't have the Analytics icon or the Expand button shown below.

Echo360 Analytics button bottom-right of the embedded player


Engage Students and Monitor Discussion in the Embedded Player

The videos or interactive media can be embedded in any content type in Canvas. The Embedded media player features a Discussion panel where you can get your students to engage in the lecture topic.

Echovideo embedded player - Discussion link

  • Click in the Add a comment text box to start a discussion, a comment can be referenced at a specific location in the media.
  • Students can post anonymously when they are apprehensive to ask a question. Instructors will always see who made the post. Click the three ellipses then click Reveal Name.

    Echovideo new embedded player manage comment
  • Instructors can also remove a post as neccessary. A sample could be maybe it doesn't apply to the lesson.
  • Comments can be endorsed using the thumbs up icon  and replies to the topic can be done by clicking the chat bubble icon .
  • Instructors can remove individual comments or an entire discussion.

Echo360 Embedded Player - Discussion panel as an Instructor  

Sample of Discussion panel

Instructor and student will see all comments in the Discussion, any comments that are timestamped will show along with who made the comment. If the comment was posted anonymously, others in class cannot see who made the comment. Only the instructor can see the anonymous post.

EchoVideo embedded player with sample Discussion


For more details, see Monitoring Discussion and Viewing and Participating in Discussion.

Embed a Video with Polling Questions (post to Canvas or an EchoVideo course)

Check for student understanding and embed polls in your video, polls can be created new or reused. You can see poll responses in your Library or download the data. Videos with polls (known as interactive media) can be embedded in Canvas or published to an EchoVideo course. You can also set up gradebook syncing. Explore this help article on embedded polling in EchoVideo.

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Frequently Asked Questions on Embedding Media

Below is a list of frequently asked questions on embedding your videos, click the question to view the answer.

Why does a video placeholder display Not Yet Ready instead of showing my embedded video?

When you embed media that has not finished processing on the EchoVideo server, you will see a preview placeholder "Not Yet Ready," see sample image below. Once your video has finished processing in your library, the embedded video will appear. As a reminder, anytime that you create new recordings or upload media (audio, video, PowerPoint) you will receive an email letting you know the media is available in your Library.

Media processing not ready yet

I'm recording personal lectures and not recording in a classroom; can I embed the new videos I've recorded?

Do I need an EchoVideo course if I am only recording lectures on my computer?

I'm reusing videos from a previous semester, will videos import to other Canvas courses?

I've uploaded videos made outside of EchoVideo, can I embed them in Canvas?

Can I embed videos that have been shared with me by another instructor?

I have shared videos with another instructor using EchoVideo Collections, can they embed the videos to use in their classes?

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