Canvas: Creating Media Assignments for Instructors

Summary

Best practices for instructors to setting up assignments or a discussion that requires students to record and share a video. ITS recommends that all users faculty and students record with SVSU tools it ensures consistency for all courses.

Body

Overview

Setting up assignment or a discussion in Canvas allows students to submit media submissions. If you are new to setting up an online assignment, view How do I create an online assignment as an Instructor?  Alternatively, if you want students to post their presentation and also comment and provide feedback on others, we recommend setting up a graded Discussion.

Important Note: ITS recommends for students to record their presentation with an SVSU supported tool and share the link from their OneDrive. 

Recommended SVSU Recording Tools for Students

To ensure consistency across all courses and for students to receive proper IT Support, please discourage the use of non SVSU apps (e.g. YouTube, TikTok, etc.) for video submissions. SVSU offers several tools like that allow students to create and share videos easily:

For role play videos, use Microsoft Teams.
For presentations, biography, or screen recordings, use one of the following screen capture tools:

  • Microsoft Stream
  • Clipchamp
  • Windows 11 Snipping Tool
  • Microsoft PowerPoint

Share this article with students: Submitting Video Assignments as a Student in your assignment instructions. 

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.
      Note: If students are required to create a video 5 minutes or longer in length or have other requirements, SVSU ITS recommends checking the box "Website URL."
    • Website URL: Check this box to allow students to submit a video link. Students will paste the link in a URL text box. The audio or video link can be accessed via Speedgrader, see sample image below.

      Uploaded Image (Thumbnail)

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.

Limitations and Common Issues with the Upload/Media tool in Canvas

Helpful tip: Use Echovideo to Enhance Your Teaching and Support Accessibility For ADA Title II WCAG Requirements. Access EchoVideo in your Canvas menu by clicking "My Echo360 Library" in Canvas to create and access your content. Learn more about lecture capture on our main help page: svsu.edu/echohelp

Below is a list of tips and problems that frequently occur with the media tool in Canvas:

  • Audio recording: Speaking time should be ~ 1-5 minutes for best experience.
  • Microphone and camera permissions: If you are unable to record with your microphone or camera make sure permissions are enabled in your browser.
  • Supported browser(s): Must use a supported browser, Chrome or Firefox (latest version), when using the upload/media tool. Note: Safari it doesn't function well.
  • Out of date browser: Google Chrome and Firefox must be the latest two versions. Check your browser version to see if its up-to-date.
  • File size: The video file is too large, the video cannot be any larger than 500 MB.
  • Network: The user has poor or no Internet connection.
  • Media upload not supported: The file format of your video is not supported. View the supported file formats for media uploads.
  • Upload being blocked: There may be ad blockers and/or browser extensions that could prevent the media from being uploaded.

Details

Details

Article ID: 139357
Created
Thu 11/11/21 9:51 AM
Modified
Thu 4/23/26 3:10 PM

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Canvas is the learning management system used at SVSU. Canvas allows instructors to organize their courses and course content so students can find the materials they need quickly and easily. Canvas includes tools for announcements, assignments, quizzes, grades, discussion and more.
Stream Classic is retired as of February 15, 2025, it was a separate video tool part of Microsoft 365. If you have video links, you were sharing in Canvas those will no longer work. We recommend uploading your videos to EchoVideo to share your videos with students.