Video Files & Recordings

Canvas Studio offers flexible options for managing your own video content. You can either:

• Upload a video file from your computer, or
• Record a new video directly within Canvas Studio.

In both cases, you will need to provide captions for the videos. If you work with a captioning vendor, you can simply upload the caption file they provide. If you're creating captions yourself, Canvas Studio includes a Caption Editor that lets you create captions from scratch or edit and correct their automatic captions.

YouTube & Vimeo videos

You can also add YouTube and Vimeo videos to your Canvas Studio library. This helps keep all your video content organized in one place. Canvas Studio will automatically import any caption tracks available on YouTube videos, including automatic captions. You should always review these captions for accuracy.

If a YouTube or Vimeo video does not already have adequate captions, Canvas Studio is a great place to host it. After adding a video to your Canvas Studio library, you are then able to caption the video yourself or add a caption file from a captioning vendor or elsewhere.

Please note, Canvas Studio does not provide native automatic caption options for YouTube and Vimeo videos. All captions you create for these videos in Canvas Studio will be from scratch.

Canvas Files is one option for hosting videos you've created or saved on your computer. You can upload a variety of video file types and easily add caption files to these videos. Once uploaded, these videos can be used throughout your Canvas course and retain their captions.

If you do not already have a caption file for your video, you can create one using tools like Canvas Studio, YouTube, or Amara, or you can get one from a captioning vendor.

Rich Content Editor (Video Files):

The Rich Content Editor in Canvas lets you embed video files directly into pages, announcements, and assignments. You can choose to either embed a video from your Canvas Files or upload a new video file. This editor also has the option to add captions to your videos.

Rich Content Editor (YouTube videos)

You can also embed YouTube videos using the Rich Content Editor. However, it is important that these videos are checked for adequate captions.

If a YouTube video does not have adequate captions, you will need to:

• Choose another video that has adequate captioning.
• Create your own captions using Amara or Canvas Studio.
• Have a vendor create captions and upload the caption file to the video in Canvas Studio.

Module Items (Video Files & YouTube Videos)

You can also add videos directly to a  Module without creating a full Canvas page. For video content, you can either:

• Link to a Canvas File, or
• Use an External URL (such as a YouTube link).

For Canvas File videos, captions should be uploaded to the video. For videos shared via an External URL, check them for adequate captions.

Illumira is a video management tool at JMU. You can upload videos to the site and then either upload a caption file from your computer or create captions yourself using Illumira's Caption Creator tool.

Narrated PowerPoint Files

To make narrated PowerPoint presentations accessible for people with hearing considerations, you need to provide one of the following:

• A transcript of each narration. You can include this in the “Notes” section of each slide or as a seperate document posted alongside the PowerPoint.
• A captioned video version of the presentation. Convert your PowerPoint into a video, then add captions. You can create these yourself or work with a captioning vendor.

Videos in PowerPoints

YouTube videos

If you embed a YouTube video in your PowerPoint, it must already be adequately captioned. PowerPoint does not allow you to add your own captions to embedded YouTube videos.

Video files

If you are uploading and embedding a video file from your computer, you can first caption the video using Amara, YouTube, Canvas Studio, or a captioning vendor, and then upload that caption file in PowerPoint.

Transcripts should be made available for any audio-only media, such as podcasts, voice recordings, or narrated PowerPoints. Many podcasts and their networks provide transcripts on their website, such as NPR.

Be careful: some podcast apps and platforms may provide automatic transcription, which should be avoided.

If you are unable to find a transcript for a recording, or if you have recorded your own content, you will need to create a transcript. Transcripts should be formatted according to our guidelines for creating a transcript.

• For online course materials: Post a Word document or link to a transcript alongside of the audio media.
• For in-person classes and events: Make sure participants have access to the transcript at the same time the audio is being presented/played.

Zoom is a very flexible tool and has many uses in academic settings.

• For live Zoom meetings: Enable the automatic captions for participants.
• For Zoom recordings: Enable automatic transcription of the recording. You will then be able to export the video & caption files, edit the captions, and post it on a JMU video platform.

Please note:

• Automatic live captioning should only be used as a Universal Design best practice and is not an adequate solution for students with live captioning accommodations. If a student uses live captioning accommodations, ODS will be in contact as appropriate.
• Automatic transcription for Zoom recordings will need to be heavily edited before sharing with an audience.