Canvas: Add Media Using Kaltura

In this article, users in Canvas courses will access instructions on different methods of adding, uploading, and embedding media (video and audio recordings) using Kaltura in the Canvas Rich Content Editor.

Note about transcript viewer: Starting in August 2024, the Kaltura player has a transcript viewer in the upper right which is available by default, with some exceptions. For an example of a recording and player with the transcript viewer, refer to this Kaltura v7 Player Example.

In this article:

• Adding Media Using Kaltura in the Rich Content Editor
  • Access the Canvas Rich Content Editor
  • Uploading Media
  • Embedding Media From Your Kaltura Media Library with Default Settings
  • Embedding Media From Your Kaltura Media Library with Custom Settings
  • Embedding an Existing Media Gallery Playlist
  • Recording in Your Browser
  • Adding a Video from YouTube
• Embedding Audio-Only Recordings
• Additional Resources

Adding Media Using Kaltura in the Canvas Rich Content Editor

Access the Canvas Rich Content Editor

As a part of Kaltura in Canvas, users in Canvas courses can use the Rich Content Editor's Add Media Using Kaltura feature to add media (video and audio recordings) to a page, discussion, or assignment.

1. Go to the Canvas Page, Assignment, quiz question, or other area where you want to add Kaltura media and select Edit. This will open the Canvas Rich Content Editor.
2. Select the Add Media Using Kaltura button to open a new modal window.
   
3. In the Add Media Using Kaltura options window, users can select from multiple paths. 

For instructions about each option, read the information below.

Uploading Media

1. From the Add Media Using Kaltura options window, select Upload Media.
2. Drag and drop a file or select Choose a file to upload. 
   
3. Click </> Embed at the top of the page. You are returned to the Rich Content Editor, and your new recording will appear.
4. In the lower right of the page, select Save.

Embedding Media From Your Kaltura Media Library with Default Settings

1. From the Add Media Using Kaltura options window, select More Media Options to open your Kaltura My Media library.
   1. Optional: Select Filters to narrow down your media listing, including through the use of My Folders.
2. Select Embed to the right of the desired media. You are returned to the Rich Content Editor, and your recording will appear. 
   • Note: By default, viewers will be able to open a searchable transcript viewer beside your embedded media, and they cannot download a copy of the recording. The main exception to this default is when embedding Kaltura Video Quizzes, which will not include the transcript or chapter navigation unless you want it to. If you wish to change these behaviors, follow the Embedding Media From Your Kaltura Media Library with Custom Settings steps below.
3. In the lower right of the page, select Save.

Embedding Media From Your Kaltura Media Library with Custom Settings 

1. From the Add Media Using Kaltura options window, select More Media Options to open your Kaltura My Media library.
   1. Optional: Select Filters to narrow down your media listing, including through the use of My Folders 
2. Select the Customize button to the right of the desired media. The Embed Settings page opens.
3. Under Customize Embed:
   1. Select an option from the Select a player dropdown menu.
      • Download disabled (default): Your embedded media will allow viewers to open a searchable transcript viewer beside your embedded media.
      • Download enabled: Your embedded media will allow viewers to download a copy of your media in addition to being able to open and search the transcript.
        • Note: Kaltura Video Quizzes and YouTube videos in Kaltura will not be downloadable.
      • Transcript and chapter navigation disabled: Your embedded media will appear without the transcript viewer and chapter navigation options. This option reduces the embedded media's alignment with universal design principles. Use it only when pedagogically necessary.
   2. Select Select video display size from its dropdown menu.
   3. Optional: Check the box next to Start video at and enter a specific start time.
   4. Consider unchecking the checkbox next to Save these settings as defaults.
      • Leaving the box checked sets all your current selections (except for any start time selections you have made) as the new default settings for that type of media when you embed using Add Media Using Kaltura.
4. Select Embed in the bottom right of the Customize Embed window. 
5. You are returned to the Rich Content Editor window, and your newly embedded media appears in it.
6. In the lower right of the page, select Save.

Embedding an Existing Media Gallery Playlist

To embed a playlist, users must first create a Media Gallery Playlist following the instructions in the article Canvas: Manage and Moderate Kaltura Media Gallery. After your playlist is created continue with the steps below.

1. Return to the Add Media Using Kaltura options page.
2. Select More Media Options.
3. Select the Playlists tab.
4. To use the default embed settings, select Embed to the right of the desired playlist. By default, viewers will be able to view a searchable transcript viewer beside your embedded media, and cannot download a copy of the media.

OR

4. To customize the playlist embed settings, select the Customize button to the left of the Embed button. The Customize Embed page opens.

• Select an option from the Select a player dropdown menu:
  • Download disabled (default)
  • Download enabled
  • Transcript and chapter navigation disabled
• Note: Consider unchecking Save these settings as defaults for Playlists. Leaving the box checked sets all your current selections as the new defaults for the next time you embed a Media Gallery Playlist using Add Media Using Kaltura.
• Select Embed in the bottom right of the Customize Embed window.
• You are returned to the Rich Content Editor, and your newly embedded playlist appears in it.

5. In the lower right of the page, select Save.

Recording in Your Browser

This recording method is intended for making recordings that are shorter than 10 minutes. For more information, refer to the article Canvas: Use Your Computer's Webcam to Record a New Video with Kaltura. For more details about other recording options, consult the Compare Video Recording Tools resource page.

1. From the Add Media Using Kaltura options page, select Record in Browser.
2. Read the information at the top of the page.
3. Select Start Recording.
4. To finish your recording, select Stop Recording, then select Use This to upload it.
   • Your recording will upload to Kaltura, and an Upload Completed! message will appear.
   • Optional: Edit the name and description of your recording. This information will only appear if the recording is added to the course Media Gallery and viewed from there
5. Select </> Embed. 
6. You are returned to the Rich Content Editor, and your new recording will appear.
7. In the Rich Content Editor, select Save.

Adding a Video from YouTube

1. In the Add Media Using Kaltura options window, select Add from YouTube.
   • Important note: YouTube videos in Kaltura receive new auto-generated captions that you must edit. For instructions on these steps, visit the article Kaltura: Connect to YouTube Videos.
2. Paste a link to a YouTube video that is public or unlisted.
3. Select Preview. The video preview will appear in the window.
   • Optional: Edit the name and description imported from YouTube. This information will only appear if the recording is added to the course Media Gallery and viewed from there.
4. Select </> Embed. You are returned to the Rich Content Editor, and your selected YouTube video will appear.
5. In the Rich Content Editor, select Save.

Embedding Audio-Only Recordings

When embedding audio recordings using Kaltura, a smaller player window provides a more streamlined appearance.
 

As with the video player, the audio player includes a transcript viewer that is available by default. When people encounter an audio player, they can activate the transcript viewer by selecting the More button, then Transcript. The transcript viewer will appear in a pop-up window.

Similar to the video player, when using Add Media Using Kaltura to embed an audio recording in Canvas, you can opt-out of including the transcript viewer, or opt-in to allowing your viewers to download a copy of the recording which also appears in the More screen.

Additional Resources

• To change the name or other settings about uploaded files, view steps at Canvas: Upload to and Manage My Media (Kaltura).
• To publish all Kaltura videos in a Canvas course in one searchable area, visit Canvas: Add, Remove, and Import Videos in the Media Gallery.
• To group related videos together, go to the Using Playlists to Control the Order of Media Added to a Media Gallery section within Manage and Moderate Kaltura Media Gallery. Do this to break longer recordings (such as lectures) into multiple pieces, then group them together.
• For more about My Folders on the My Media page, go to Kaltura: Organize Uploaded Media with My Folders.
• For recommendations on good practices for media use within Kaltura, visit Kaltura: Streamline your process for creating and sharing course videos.
• For information on editing captions, visit Kaltura: Find and Edit Captions