Canvas Media Submissions - Best Practices for Instructors

Overview

Setting up an Assignment to allow for audio or video submission is the same as other online assignments other than one setting, ensure you have the Submission Type as Online.  If you are new to setting up an online assignment, view How do I create an online assignment as an Instructor? 

Help Students be Successful Using the Upload/Media tool in Canvas

The upload/record tool can be used for media submissions but it does have several limitations. See Common issues using the integrated recording tool in Canvas.

  • Show students how to use the Upload/Media tool, you can use Student View to walk them through the process.
  • This should ensure students will be successful and if there are any issues you can address them before they submit a graded media assignment.

Create a Canvas Assignment for Media Submissions

  • Within the Assignment, check the Submission Type to Online. check the box for:  
    • Media Recordings: Allows student to use the integrated upload/media record tool in Canvas ensure to check "Media Recordings." An audio recording is recommended over video, they are smaller in size.
      Please note, if students are required to create a video 5 minutes or longer in length see the blue call out box below "Recommended SVSU Recording Tools for Students." ITS recommends turning on "Website URL."
       
    • Website URL: Allows students to submit a video link. Ensure to check "Website URL." Students will paste the link in a URL text box. The audio or video can be accessed via Speedgrader.

Create a Canvas Discussion for Media Submissions

  • Create a new Discussion by clicking + Discussion and choose how to set up your discussion. Then, include your instructions and expectations for their recorded presentation, biography, etc. Students can use many different tools at SVSU to record a video and share it via their OneDrive, see the blue call out box below "Recommended SVSU Recording Tools for Students."
  • Students can post their reply with their shared video link from their SVSU OneDrive.
  • Students can review others submissions and comment on each others videos.

Recommended SVSU Recording Tools for Students

There are multiple tools at SVSU that allow students to create and submit media submissions, such as Microsoft Stream, Windows 11 Snipping tool, Microsoft Teams, and Microsoft PowerPoint. Explore more in our article - Submitting Video Assignments as a Student and post it in an Announcement, Syllabus, etc.

Common issues that can prevent recording and uploading media.

  • Speaking time should be ~ 1-5 minutes for best experience.
  • Must use a supported browser, Chrome or Firefox (latest version), when using the upload/media tool.
  • The video file is too large, the video cannot be any larger than 500 MB.
  • The user has poor or no Internet connection.
  • The file format of your video is not supported. View the supported file formats for media uploads.
  • Ad Blockers and browser extensions could prevent the media from being uploaded.
  • The browser is out of date, supported browsers are Google Chrome and Firefox, they must be the latest two versions. Check your browser version to see if its up-to-date.
  • The browser being used is not supported, such as Safari it doesn't function well.
  • The permissions in your browser are not enabled, such as using the microphone or camera.
  • Uploads fail without notice to the user, uploads fail silently, there is no error message that displays on your screen. 

Submission Types in Canvas

Selecting multiple submission types. An assignment with multiple submission types allows for only one submission type per assignment, be sure that you include that in your Assignment instructions. 

Be flexible with how you allow media submissions, give your students options. There are many options for an assigning a video project, ​​​​ensure to have the Assignment set to Submission Type > Online then select as appropriate: 

  • Website URL - allows students to paste the video link to their file
  • Media Recordings - allows students to use the upload/media tool in Canvas
  • File Uploads - allows students to upload a file directly or from their OneDrive.
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