Overview
Note: We do not recommend using the upload/media recording tool in Canvas, there are too many limitations.
This guide will show students how to create a video for an assignment in Canvas using various SVSU Supported tools (see table comparison below). The tool you use depends on the requirements from your instructor, like length, webcam, etc.
Recording a Video with SVSU Supported Tools (Recommended)
If you are meeting with others virtually we recommend using Microsoft Teams available through your SVSU account. Microsoft Teams allows you to record audio, video, screenshare, collaborate, and more. The recording automatically saves to your SVSU OneDrive making it very easy to create a sharable link, and post the link to a Canvas.
If you are creating an individual video, you can use Microsoft Stream, Windows 11 Snipping Tool, or the screen capture tool in Microsoft PowerPoint with your SVSU account. Automatic saving to OneDrive (except Windows 11 Snipping tool) makes it easy to create a sharable link, and post the link to a Canvas.
Recording a Video Outside of SVSU (must upload to your SVSU OneDrive)
If you create a video with a tool outside of SVSU, you need to download it from the platform you recorded your video from. Upload the video to your SVSU OneDrive and create a link to post to Canvas. We recommend to using SVSU Supported Tools, it involves less work for you (see table below).
- Assignment submission: Your instructor can view your video for grading.
- Discussion submission: Your classmates will be able to view your video and provide feedback.
Microsoft Screen Capture Tools (Recommended)
Need help deciding on what tool to use? See the easy-to-read comparison table below:
Feature
|
Microsoft Stream
|
Windows 11 Snipping Tool
|
Microsoft Teams
|
PowerPoint
|
Biographies and presentations |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Video Conference/Role Play |
No |
No |
Yes |
No |
Recording Limit |
15 minutes |
30 minutes |
4 hrs or 1.5 GB |
No specific time (dependent to computer storage) |
Desktop Software |
No |
Yes |
Yes, PC or Mac |
Yes, PC or Mac |
Web app |
Yes, Edge and Chrome only |
No |
Yes, Edge, Chrome, Safari 15+ |
No |
Record screen, audio, and webcam
(optional)
simultaneously |
Yes
|
Yes, (no webcam)
|
Yes
|
Yes, (no webcam)
|
Record number of screens |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Screen selection area |
Entire Screen, window, and browser tab |
Select screen area to record |
Entire Screen |
Select screen area to record |
Cloud storage (automatic) |
Yes, stores on OneDrive |
No |
Yes, stores on OneDrive |
Yes, local and OneDrive |
Trim your video |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Mobile app |
Microsoft 365 app
(iOS and Android)
Capture up to 5 minutes |
No
|
Yes
|
No
|
Individual Video Assignment
Click to expand the panel below to view the instructions, click it again to close it.
Microsoft Stream - Presentations and Biographies (record up to 15 minutes)
Create a recording in Microsoft Stream up to 15 minutes. There are different options available for you to choose:
- Upload - Allows you to upload a audio or video file from your computer.
- Screen Recording - Allows you to to share and record your screen, an application window, or browser tab.
- Camera Recording - Allows you to share and record your webcam. This is optional, you can turn on/off your webcam (internal or external camera).
- Playlist- To create a list of videos.
SVSU Support Article: Microsoft Stream - Record, Upload, and Share Videos
Windows 11 Snipping Tool (record up to 30 minutes)
The "Snipping Tool" for Windows 11 comes with a built in video recorder. Allowing you to capture your screen and audio up to 30 minutes.
- Launch: Use Win + Shift + R or click the Record icon in the app.
- Select Area: Drag to outline the recording region (rectangular shape).
- Audio: Toggle microphone and/or system audio capture on/off.
- Record: Click Start. Use the control bar to Pause or Stop.
- Save: Videos save as MP4 files locally to your computer like Videos folder. Tip: Save to your SVSU OneDrive. If you have the OneDrive desktop app installed on your computer, select username - Saginaw Valley State University (sample image below). The video will save to the cloud allowing you to share with others.

Microsoft Support article: How to record Videos using Snipping Tool in Windows 11
Microsoft PowerPoint - Screen Recording feature (no recording limit, dependent on computer storage)
Use Microsoft PowerPoint's screen recording tool to create your biography or a presentation found on the Record tab. Make sure that you are using the PowerPoint desktop app.
Microsoft Support article: Record your screen in PowerPoint - Microsoft Support
Alternatively, a PowerPoint Presentation can have a voice-over recorded on one or more slides without recording a webcam or with it using the Cameo feature allows you to insert a live camera feed on all slides or specific slides. Please view this MS Support article "Record a slide show with narration and slide timings."
Video Conferencing with Others (Microsoft Teams) - Recommended
Hybrid and in-person classes have access to Bachand Hall Case Study Suites accompanied by their instructor.
For online Microsoft Teams (record up to 4 hours) is the recommended tool for meeting and recording role play videos or for group projects for online classes. All faculty, staff, and registered students have access to record with Teams in their SVSU account. The recording stores in OneDrive where they can create a sharable link and post it to Canvas (Assignment or Discussion).
Microsoft Teams (Quick Steps)
- Use Microsoft Teams to record virtual meetings/role play videos.
- The recordings automatically upload and store in the owner’s OneDrive. This is the person that created the Teams meeting.
- The student creates their shareable link and posts it to a Assignment or Discussion (as appropriate).
Recording with Microsoft Teams (Meet Now)
The supported browser(s) are Microsoft Edge or Chrome, your browser must be up to date.
- Go to teams.microsoft.com or open Teams while logged into Outlook or OneDrive while online. Note: This is the teams login for your SVSU account, don’t use your personal Microsoft account. Otherwise, more steps are involved in sharing your recording to Canvas.
- Click Calendar (left menu)
- Meet Now
- Click Start meeting
- Click Join now.
- When prompted click Allow to let Teams use the microphone and camera.

-
"Invite people to join you" (close the window if you have scheduled your Teams meeting) and choose from the following:
- Copy meeting link
- Add participants
- Share via default email
-
When all participants are in the meeting they can start their recording:
- Click the three dots More
- Click Record and transcribe
- Click Start Recording
When the meeting is finished repeat the above steps. The recording saves and stores in the student’s OneDrive (the one who created the meeting.)
Share a link from a Teams Meeting
There are various ways to share a recording from the Teams meeting. You can get a link directly from the meeting chat or it can be accessed in the owner’s OneDrive.
Instructions
Have you recorded your video with another tool? See the instructions below on how to upload your video to your SVSU OneDrive and share your video.
Upload your Video to your SVSU OneDrive using a Computer
If you have recorded your video with an non-SVSU tool. You need to upload it to your SVSU OneDrive.
- First, you need to download the video file to your computer.
Note: If you recorded the video on a smart device, use the Microsoft 365 mobile app to import your video from your device to your SVSU OneDrive. Once your video is on your OneDrive you can create your sharable link and post it to Canvas. If you created your video on a computer, skip to Step 2.
- Upload the video you downloaded then upload to your SVSU OneDrive
- On your computer, go to stream.office.com and sign in if prompted.
- Click on Upload and select your video file.
- Create the sharable link to post to Canvas.
- After your video is uploaded to Microsoft Stream, locate it and then click on the Share button.
- In the Share menu, click Copy Link, by default your link is available to anyone for 30 days. Note: We recommend to change the permissions to only allow those with an SVSU email to access your link.

- To change the permissions for your video link, click the the gear icon Settings.

- Select People in Saginaw Valley State University, they will need to be signed in to view your video.
- More settings: Allows you to set an expiration date if desired.
- Click Apply

- The link is copied to your Clipboard.

- Go to the Canvas Assignment or Discussion and paste the link to your video.
- Your done
Upload your media to OneDrive using the Microsoft 365 mobile app
If you have recorded your video on your mobile device, we recommend using the Microsoft 365 mobile app, allows you to easily import your content to OneDrive, share, collaborate and more. Explore more about Microsoft 365 mobile app and Adobe Scan.
If you need assistance, please call IT Support Center x4225 or email support@svsu.edu Please note, the IT Support Center is closed when the Zahnow Library is closed.