Submitting Canvas Video Assignments as a Student

What's in this Guide?

This guide will help students create a video for an assignment in Canvas using various SVSU-supported tools (see the comparison table below). The tool you choose will depend on your instructor's requirements.

Important Note: We do not suggest using the upload/media recording tool in Canvas due to its many limitations. Instead, we recommend using Microsoft Teams for role play videos. When recording a presentation or biography, consider one of the following screen capture tools: Microsoft Stream, Windows 11 Snipping Tool, or Microsoft PowerPoint.

Table of Contents

Use the links below to jump to specific sections of this guide and learn more about each recording tool.

Getting Started

Recording a Video

Sharing a Video Not Created with an SVSU Tool

Which Tool Should I use for my Video Assignment

First determine what the assignment requirements are from your instructor, the list below will help you choose the best recording tool for your assignment. The comparison table on this page lists features of each tool.

Assignment type

  • Biography: Stream or Clipchamp
  • Presentation: Stream or Clipchamp
  • Storytelling: Clipchamp
  • Video editing: Clipchamp
  • Collaborating with others: Microsoft Teams
  • Live Captions: PowerPoint or Teams
  • Transcripts/Closed Captions: Stream, Teams, or Clipchamp (must import the video)

Note: Other tools like the Snipping Tool (available on Windows 10/11 computers) and PowerPoint (available for both Windows and Mac) offer quick recording options for simple screen captures or narrated presentations. These tools are straightforward and don’t require advanced editing or collaboration. Review the full comparison table below to see which tool best fits your needs.

Record a Video with SVSU Supported Tools (Recommended)

We always recommend to use our supported tools for your assignments that way if you need help SVSU ITS can assist you. Note: Depending on your assignment requirements from your class, choose the link below to jump to section on this page and get started with that tool.

If you are meeting virtually with others use Microsoft Teams 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. 

Record a Video Outside of SVSU (must upload to your SVSU OneDrive)

If you do record with a personal tool non-SVSU, you still can share your video to Canvas, there are just more steps involved. Click the link below to jump to the instructions.

If you create a video with a tool outside of SVSU, like YouTube or others, 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 using SVSU Supported Tools, it involves less work for you (see comparison 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.

Comparison Table of Each Tool and its Features

Need help? Compare SVSU supported tools for recording video assignments, each tool offers different features.

Feature

Stream

Clipchamp
 

Windows 11 Snipping Tool

Teams
 

PowerPoint

Recording Limit 15 minutes 30 minutes 30 minutes 4 hrs or 1.5 GB No specific time (dependent to computer storage)
Desktop Software No Yes Yes Yes Yes
Web app Yes, Edge and Chrome only Yes, Edge and Chrome only No Yes, Edge, Chrome, Safari 15+ No
Record screen, audio, and webcam 
simultaneously

Yes

Yes

Yes, (no webcam)

Yes

Yes, (no webcam)

Record number of screens 1 1 1 1 1
Screen selection area Entire Screen, window, and browser tab Entire Screen, window, and browser tab Select screen area to record Entire Screen Select screen area to record
Cloud storage (automatic) OneDrive OneDrive No OneDrive OneDrive
Edit your video No Yes No No No
Transcript/Captions
see Accessibility below
Yes Yes No Yes Yes
Mobile app Microsoft 365 app
(iOS and Android)
Capture up to 5 minutes

Yes, personal account only

No

Yes

No

Accessibility: Transcripts and Captions

The list of tools below support accessibility.  If you require captions or transcripts for accessibility, consider using Microsoft Stream, Clipchamp, or Teams. You can also upload videos from other tools to generate captions in Stream.

Transcripts/Captions

Clipchamp: Import your video, drag to the timeline and turn on auto captions.
How to use autocaptions in Clipchamp | Clipchamp Blog

Stream: Select a language, then autogenerate a transcript. 
View, edit, and manage video transcripts and captions - Microsoft Support

Live Captions

Teams: Live captions are available during a meeting, recordings include a transcript and are saved to OneDrive and will open up in Microsoft Stream.
Use live captions in Microsoft Teams meetings - Microsoft Support

PowerPoint: Live Captions while presenting or recording a presentation but it is not saved as a transcript.
Present with real-time, automatic captions or subtitles in PowerPoint - Microsoft Support

Record an Individual Video Assignment

Microsoft Stream - Presentations and Biographies (record up to 15 minutes)

Create a recording in Microsoft Stream up to 15 minutes. Choose from these media options:

  • 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).

SVSU Support Article: Microsoft Stream - Record, Upload, and Share Videos


Microsoft Clipchamp – Video Projects (record up to 30 minutes)

Clipchamp is a web app that is useful for video capturing, editing, or storytelling projects for class. 

  • My media: Upload media from your computer and select from OneDrive.
  • Record & create: Screen and camera, webcam, and audio
  • Share: Create a sharable link for submitting to Canvas.
  • YouTube VideoBeginner's guide to Clipchamp for work
  • Various tools to add text, stock images, graphics, and more.

Note: Microsoft Stream and Clipchamp are now one universal interface. Go to stream.office.com


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.

  1. Launch: Use Win + Shift + R or click the Record icon in the app.
  2. Select Area: Drag to outline the recording region (rectangular shape).
  3. Audio: Toggle microphone and/or system audio capture on/off.
  4. Record: Click Start. Use the control bar to Pause or Stop.
  5. 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.

    Uploaded Image (Thumbnail)

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.

Uploaded Image (Thumbnail)

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. 

  1. 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.
  2. Click Calendar (left menu)
  3. Meet Now
  4. Click Start meeting
  5. Click Join now.
  6. When prompted click Allow to let Teams use the microphone and camera.Uploaded Image (Thumbnail)
  7. "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
  8. When all participants are in the meeting they can start their recording:

    • Click the three dots More
    • Click Record and transcribe
    • Click Start Recording
    • Uploaded Image (Thumbnail)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.

  1. 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.
     
  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.
  3. 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 daysNote: We recommend to change the permissions to only allow those with an SVSU email to access your link.Uploaded Image (Thumbnail)
    • To change the permissions for your video link, click the the gear icon Settings.
      Uploaded Image (Thumbnail)
    • 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
      Uploaded Image (Thumbnail)
    • The link is copied to your Clipboard.
      Uploaded Image (Thumbnail)
    • 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.

Need Help and IT Support?

If you're unsure which tool to use or need help with accessibility features, contact SVSU IT Support at support@svsu.edu or visit the Zahnow Library, 1st Floor.

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