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How to Use Video for Instructors

 

Video Size

If you would like to use Video on your D2L course, there are some important things to consider before you create video on your own.

  1. What size is the video file? If a video is too large it will take a long time for students to download, which means you will probably want the video streamed. If the video is too small then the quality will suffer and the appearance will not be aesthetically pleasing. Usually short videos (under ten minutes and five megabytes) can be loaded in D2L and viewed by students through downloading and playing. However, longer videos are best streamed so that they start playing almost instantly and do not require long download times.

    If you are inexperienced with video and/or have a tape or DVD you would like to make into a video file, please fill out an Audio/Video Services Request Form. Use this form to request the following types of services:

    • Streaming files
    • Classroom Tapings
    • Event tapings
    • Consulting
    • Dubs
    • VHS Tape:5-120 min
    • VHS Tape:180 min
    • CD-ROM:blank
    • DVD-R
    • Mini DV
    • Audio Tape

*You can also contact the Main Library as they also provide streaming video services.

2. If you would like to "rent" video equipment for free then please contact our sister organization the Office of Student Computing Resources (OSCR) at http://mll.arizona.edu/gear.

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Video Players

  1. Each computer uses different software to view files and some files require very specific video players. If you are providing a video, you should also provide a link to a player that can be downloaded and used to play the video.

    For example, If you created a .MOV file, you should provide a link to the QuickTime Player, which will play the .MOV file on all computers.

    Here are some links to some common free players as references.

    Macromedia Shockwave Player and Macromedia Flash Player - Plays flash and shockwave files

    RealPlayer - RealAudio and RealVideo, free and fee versions, plays every major media format.

    QuickTime - Video, sounds, .MP3, .MIDI, free and fee versions. (Compatible with MAC)

    Windows Media Player - .WMA, .MP3, .WAV, .AVI, .MPEG (Compatible with PC)

    Winamp - .MP3 and Most Video FormatsMP3, .WAV, .AVI, .MPEG (Compatible with PC)

    Java - Required for the UA Library's streaming services

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Add Video to D2L

The best way to add a video to your D2L course is through the HTML editor. To use the HTML editor to create a video or link to a streaming video follow these steps:

 

    1. Click on "Content" in the blue navigation bar
    2. Click "New Module" (at the Top of th screen), name the module "Video Streaming Links" & click "Save"
    3. Click on "Content" again
    4. Click on "New Topic" (at the Top of the screen)
    5. Click on "Create New File"
    6. Select "Video Streaming Links" from the "Parent Module" drop down menu
    7. Enter a title for the streaming video you are linking to (e.g. Stagecoach)
    8. Click on the Insert Link Icon within the HTML editor (looks like an Orange Star with a chain link)
    9. Under "Category," select "URL"

      Category

    10. Cut and paste the link from the AskReserves email into the "URL" box. Be sure to remove the "http://" in the box first
    11. Provide a "Link Caption" (e.g. Stagecoach)
    12. Select the radio button that says "New Window"
    13. Click "Insert" and then Click "Save" in the Lower Right Corner of the Screen. (You may need to scroll down to see the Save link)

Your video will now be embedded into your HTML file to be viewed.

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