Technology

Canvas Studio Instructor Guide

Last modified 2/21/2024

Canvas Studio is a video recording, management, and sharing tool that resides inside Canvas. It also provides cloud-based hosting of video files. It allows you to record with your webcam or record your screen, as well as store videos created elsewhere. Instructors can create video-based announcements, lesson materials, discussion forums, assignments and provide audio and video feedback to student assignments. Instructors can also embed quiz questions within videos and view how long students watch videos. Canvas Studio also provides closed captioning and simple editing tools for videos. 

Canvas Studio is located in the left-hand menu. 

Basics

  • Studio Navigation

Your Canvas Studio account displays three different sections used for navigation. The Navigation Toolbar, sort and filter options, and the media library made up of your individual media files and media collections.

  1. Navigation Toolbar: 
    1. Navigation Menu icon: This is located right next to the words My library and is three stacked horizontal bars. When selected, you can find the following:
      • My Library: where all your videos are stored
      • Shared with Me: contains videos that have been shared with you
      • Settings: where you can create groups and see your integrations 
      • Course Collections: shows videos placed within each course
    2. Record button
    3. Add button
    4. Search button
  2. Sort and Filter Options
    1. Sort by drop-down menu
    2. Filter by drop-down menu
    3. + Collection Button
  3. Media Library

  • Importing Videos into Canvas

Canvas Studio allows you to upload media files from your device. Studio supports uploading individual media files or multiple media files at once. The maximum file size for an upload is 10 GB. 

Studio also supports adding videos from YouTube and Vimeo via URL. 

To add your media to Canvas Studio:

  1. Select the Add Media button
  2. Option A: Drag and drop your files into the "Drag & Drop or Upload Media." 
  3. Option B: Select the Browse Files button 
    1. Select the files you want to upload
    2. Select the Upload button
  4. You will be able to view the progress of your media upload

To add a YouTube or Vimeo Video to Canvas Studio:

  1. Select the Add Media button
  2. Paste the YouTube or Vimeo URL in the box under the YouTube and vimeo logos
  3. Select the Add Video button

Note:

Uploading YouTube or Vimeo videos into Canvas wipes out the captions. It is recommended at this time to embed YouTube or Vimeo into Canvas directly instead of going through Canvas Studio if you need to preserve captions. 

  • Recording in Studio

Canvas Studio allows you to record both a screen capture and webcam capture. Canvas Studio currently has two options available for recording: Screencast-o-Matic (recommended) and Studio Capture (not recommended).

Note:

If you are using a University Owned device you will need to download Canvas Studio Screen Capture from Software Center. To do that:

  1. Open Software Center
  2. Select Applications from the side menu
  3. Select Canvas Studio Screen Capture
  4. Select Install

Screen Capture (Screencast-o-Matic)

  1. Select the Record button and choose Screencast-o-Matic
  2. Select Screen  
    1. Note: If this is your first time you will be prompted to download the screen capture application. Install the software then repeat steps 1 & 2. 
  3. Select the Open Screen Recorder Launcher button from the pop up
  4. Once that loads you can move the box to include what you want to record on your screen
  5. Select the Rec button to begin recording 
  6. Select pause when needed 
  7. Select the pen tool to circle or draw on your screen capture while recording. 
  8. When finished select Done
  9. From the preview box you can add the Title and Description and use simple editing tools to edit your Video
  10. If you have completed any editing select the Done button when finished 
  11. Select Upload to upload the video to Canvas
  12. You will see a progress bar and an Upload Successful! message when it is completed.
  13. Select Continue 
  14. The video is now in Canvas Studio in the My Library section 

Webcam Capture (Screencast-o-Matic)

  1. Select the Record button and choose Screencast-o-Matic
  2. Select Webcam 
  3. If it asks for your permission to use the webcam and camera select allow
  4. Select Start Recording when you are ready
  5. You can choose Start Over if you need to restart your video
  6. Select Finish when you are done recording
  7. Give the video a title 
  8. Select Save Video
  9. The video is now in Canvas Studio in the My Library section

Dual Capture (Screencast-o-Matic)

  1. Select the Record button and choose Screencast-o-Matic
  2. Select Both to record with both screen capture and webcam at the same time
  3. You should be able to move your webcam by dragging the webcam box to where you want it on the screen
  4. You can also switch back to just screen record or just webcam from here
    1. You can choose to use the screen capture tool to record with webcam instead of webcam capture
  5. Select the Rec button to begin recording 
  6. When finished select Done
  7. From the preview box you can add the Title and Description and use simple editing tools to edit your Video
  8. If you have completed any editing select the Done button when finished 
  9. Select Upload to upload the video to Canvas
  10. You will see a progress bar and an Upload Successful! message when it is completed.
  11. Select Continue 
  12. The video is now in Canvas Studio in the My Library section 

Studio Capture for Screen Recording (Not Recommended) 

  1. Select the Record button and choose Studio Capture
  2. Studio Capture will launch and may ask for permission to access your webcam. Click allow to allow access
  3. You will now see the Studio Capture screen with four buttons along the bottom. From left to right these are Camera, Microphone, Screen Capture, and Start Recording
    1. Camera - Here you can choose the camera you wish to use, or you can choose to disable the camera 
    2. Microphone - Here you can choose the microphone you wish to use, or you can choose to disable the microphone
    3. Screen Capture - Here you can enable screen capture by clicking Enabled. You are then given three options: Tab, Window, or Entire Screen. Choose how you want to share your screen and click the Share button
    4. Start Recording  - Once you have you're settings the way you like, click here to begin recording
  4. When finished select the Finish button to end the recording
  5. Give your recording an appropriate title in the Title box and click Save Media
  6. The video is now in Canvas Studio in the My Library section 

  • Adding Closed Captioning

Adding Closed Captioning

  1. Select the video needing captioning
  2. Select  the Captions tab under the video player
  3. Select  the Request button
  4. Select the language the captions need to be in in the Captions Request pop-up
  5. Select Request 
  6. You will receive an email when the captions are complete

Editing and Publishing Closed Captioning 

  1. Select the Captions tab under the video player
  2. Select the three vertical dots to the right  of the processed captions
  3. Select Review and Publish
  4. Select the any captions on the left that need editing
  5. Edit them in the Caption Text box 
  6. Select Publish in the upper right to complete your review and enable captions in the video

  • Sharing Videos in Canvas

Individually Share Media

  1. Select the three more dots below the individual video in your My Library section
  2. Select Share Media
  3. Select the People tab
  4. Choose Can View or Can Edit from the drop down menu
  5. Type the name or email of the user you want to share with
    1. Or type the name of the group you want to share with
  6. Repeat above steps to share with more users
  7. Added users should now appear in the "Shared with" section

Individually Share Collections

  1. Select the three more dots below the collection in your My Library section
  2. Select Share Collection
  3. Select the People tab
  4. Choose Can View or Can Edit from the drop down menu
  5. Type the name or email of the user you want to share with
    1. Or type the name of the group you want to share with
  6. Repeat above steps to share with more users
  7. Added users should now appear in the "Shared with" section

  • Supported File Formats

Find updated information on Canvas Studio supported file formats here: What file formats does Canvas Studio support?

For more information on Canvas Studio basics please visit Instructure's website here: How do I use Canvas Studio?

Using Studio in Your Course

  • Use Studio in a Module

To use Canvas Studio media in a module follow these instructions:

  1.  Select the button next to the module title 
    1. Note: Create a new module first, if you do not already have any made
  2. Select External Tool from the drop down menu
  3. Select Canvas Studio from the list of tools
  4.  Scroll through your media and collections, and select the one you want use in the module
    1. Or use the search icon to find a specific video
  5. Choose if you want to toggle on/off the Display media tabs
    1. Display media tabs: Can include media details, comments, insights, and caption tabs. 
  6. Choose if you want to toggle on/off Display download option
  7. Select Embed
  8. Select Add Item
  9. You should now see the Canvas Studio media included in your module

  • Create a Canvas Studio Assignment

You can create assignments where students can submit Canvas Studio Media.

  1. Select Assignments from your side bar navigation
  2. Select the +Assignment button
  3. Fill out the assignment name and description
  4. In the Submission Type section select Online from the drop down
  5. Select the Text Entry, File Uploads or both
    1. Text Entry: Allows students to embed media using the Studio icon in the Rich Content Editor
    2. File Uploads: Allows students to view the Studio tab as a submission option
  6. Assign a due date for the assignment
  7. Save your assignment
    1. Save & Publish: select this button if you are ready to publish your assignment
    2. Save: select this button if you want to save the assignment and publish later, when you are ready to publish you can return and select the Publish button

  • Using Studio in Discussions

Adding your Canvas Studio media to a discussion

  1. Select Discussions from your side bar navigation
  2. Select the +Discussion button
  3. Fill out the discussion title and prompt or instructions
  4. Select the Studio icon in the Rich Content Editor
  5.  Scroll through your media and collections, and select the one you want use in the discussion
    1. Or use the search icon to find a specific video
  6. Choose if you want to toggle on/off the Display media tabs
    1. Display media tabs: Can include media details, comments, insights, and caption tabs. 
  7. Choose if you want to toggle on/off Display download option
  8. Select Embed
  9. Select all the options you want for this discussion and if it is a group discussion
  10. Save your discussion
    1. Save & Publish: select this button if you are ready to publish your discussion
    2. Save: select this button if you want to save the discussion and publish later, when you are ready to publish you can return and select the Publish button

  • Managing Studio Groups

Within Canvas Groups you can search for a group, create a group, view a list of all your groups, and manage your groups. 

  1. Select the Studio button from your side bar menu
  2. Select the Navigation Menu Icon (the three horizontal lines next to My Library)
  3. Select Settings
  4. Select Groups
  5. Find the group you want to manage and select the more options button next to it. (Three vertical dots) 
  6. Select Edit
    1. Group Name: Here you can change or update your group name
    2. Add People: Here you can add more people to the group
    3. Group Members: Select the drop down next a user to make them a Member, Manger, or Remove from Group
  7. Select Save
  8. You can delete the group by selection the more options button and selecting Delete 

For more information on how to use Canvas Studio in your classroom visit Instructure's website here: How do I use Canvas Studio through my Canvas Course Navigation Menu as an instructor?

How to Get Help

For technical assistance, Submit a Help Ticket or contact the Technology Support Center at (309) 438-4357, by email at SupportCenter@IllinoisState.edu, or by Live Chat at Help.IllinoisState.edu.

For instructional assistance, you may contact the Center for Integrated Professional Development by phone (309) 438-2542, fax (309) 438-8788, or email at ProDev@ilstu.edu.