Making Echo360 Content ADA Compliant

Overview

Transcripts will be applied to video or audio content when publishing to an Echo360 course with ASR enabled. The time it takes to process depends on the length and where it is a queue for processing. Please be aware that for videos larger than 2GB in file size, ~14 hours, you would need to edit them into shorter segments using Echo360's video editor. If you are recording your classes in Microsoft Teams you will need to be upload your transcript to Echo360, if you are using Zoom video conferencing your recording(s) are automatically copied over with the transcript to Echo360. View more about the Zoom integration with Echo360.

Can someone else help edit a Transcript?

Yes, if you would like someone to assist with reviewing and editing a transcript, there are some options available with editing a transcript of the video you own. You can create a Collection in Echo360, and add your pieces of media then give the individual(s) editing permission to edit transcripts; you can also assign other permissions in a Collection. Alternatively, you can directly share your media with an individual.

**IMPORTANT NOTE: If another user is editing the transcript at the same time, and has saved the edits, you will be asked to compare the differences and merge the conflicts before changes can be saved. 

Using the Transcript Editor

The transcript editor in Echo360 will preserve the original data and any edited versions. The most recent transcript version will always appear by default. Once the transcript editor is open, you will see a playback panel for the media (left panel), and the transcript (right panel) and its media playback location on the right. If you had more than one speaker when your lecture was recorded, they will be identified and you will be able to add and edit speaker names. 

Access the Transcript Editor

You can access the Transcript Editor a few ways, from your media in your Library or from the Classes list page within your Echo360 course.

View this Self-paced tutorial on using the transcript editor learn how to access, edit, and save your edits. 

Helpful Tips on Transcript Version History

1. Inside the Transcript Editor, in the upper-left corner there is a drop-down menu where you will see the version of your transcript. 
2. If you only see Original (sample image below) this means that you have not edited your video or transcript. If you have edited the transcript or video and still ONLY see "Original" in the drop-down menu your transcript has not finished processing. NOTE: The transcript can take up to several hours to process.
3. If you see Version 1 in the drop-down menu your video and transcript has finished processing. NOTE: You will have a new version anytime that you make edits, however, you can always view previous versions (as applicable) with the date and who made the edits.
   
   
   
4. The current version of your transcript also has the option to apply Closed Captions as instructed below.
5. Once your videos have transcripts, they remain on your video unless you delete them. A transcript will display when students and other learners are watching your video. If Closed Captions are needed, the instructor must enable them.

NOTE: If your video is already published to an Echo360 course or embedded in Canvas, the newest version of the transcript will automatically display. Just click the transcript icon 

Applying Closed Captions

Closed Captions can be enabled after the transcript has been reviewed and edited for accuracy (the transcript MUST BE 99% accurate to be compliant).  Open the Transcript editor, and click the Apply to CC button. View help article: Applying Updated Transcripts as Closed Captions

• Captions can be applied to your video or audio content, the most recent transcript will be active on the video.
• Captions display on the video, the appearance of them can be changed by the viewer.
• Captions can be read by the user or a screen reader.

Student View of Transcripts (Closed Captions)

Students can access the transcript from the video in an Echo360 course or from the embedded video player. Transcripts on a video are seen by students whether its edited or unedited, a transcript can be searched by keyword, and students can can toggle on closed captions via the CC button (if instructors have enabled it).  More details can be found in our Echo360 student guide Turning on Closed Captions.

Functionality of videos with transcripts include: 

• Video and transcript text are automatically synced when playing, pausing, or skipping forward or back in the video.
• The text is highlighted yellow in the transcript and automatically syncs to the location in the video while video is played.
• Search keyword in the transcript, if a match is found the count is identified with previous/next arrow buttons, and are underlined in the transcript.
• If there is a need students can turn on CC (instructions are below). **Note: Instructors must enable closed captions on the video.
• Video player is supported by a screen reader.

Turn on a Transcript or Closed Captions in an Echo360 Course 

• To turn on the Transcript click the icon (top-right of player).
• To turn on Closed Caption, click CC (bottom-right of player).

Turn on a Transcript or Closed Captions on a Embedded Video in Canvas

• To turn on the transcript click the Transcript icon, (bottom-right of player).
• To turn on the closed caption, click the CC icon. To change how caption appears click gear (cogwheel icon). Found in (bottom-right of player).

View our Echo360 student guide Turning on Closed Captions.

Using Microsoft Teams Video Transcripts

If you have recorded your class meeting in Microsoft Teams and want to add the meeting transcript to your video you can publish your video to an Echo360 course with Automatic Speech Recognition enabled, or fill out our Echo360 Transcript Request form. Alternatively, you can upload the transcript from your Teams meeting recording.

Follow the steps below on adding your Teams transcript to your video in Echo360:

1. In the Teams chat or Channel, Click on the Meeting transcript.
2. Click the three dots to see more options (upper-right of box).
3. In the menu, click Download as .vtt
4. Upload the .vtt file to your Echo360. View instructions on Adding/Uploading Transcriptions to Captures (Instructors) 

Echo360 Transcript Editor: Help Guides

The transcript editor works in your browser, it provides a playback panel and the text of the spoken audio, again because it is machine-generated it is essential to ensure the transcript is accurate, many factors can affect the correctness of the transcript. Below are some helpful guides in getting started with the transcript editor.

• Editing a Transcript (type directly on a text cue, search/replace, add speakers, and more)
• Using the Transcript Editor Playback Panel (view and listen to the media and pause while editing the transcript)
• Uploading a Transcript File for Editing (created in another platform, Teams, Stream, etc.)
• Enabling Closed Captions (apply closed captions after reviewing or editing a transcript)
• Video: Using the Transcript Editor (watch this 2:32 video on editing a video transcript)

Echo360 Video Editor: Help Guides (**edit video before editing a transcript)

If you need to make edits to your video before sharing it with students use Echo360's video editor works in your browser, allowing you to trim out unwanted content, or chunk down longer your videos into smaller segments, combine videos and add custom thumbnails. Always edit your video first, if edits are needed, then edit your transcript.

• Self-paced video editor tutorial 
• Video Editor quick reference guide
• Cut, trim, and combine videos
• Add a custom thumbnail for your video