How do I use Canvas Studio through the Rich Content Editor in Canvas?

Canvas Studio can be used as a standalone product, but its strength lies in its integration power. Studio integrates with Canvas and allows instructors to seamlessly integrate media interaction into the classroom.

When Studio is integrated with Canvas, all Studio users can use Studio as an external tool through the Rich Content Editor. The Rich Content Editor is part of multiple features in Canvas including Assignments, Discussions, and Pages. For students, the Rich Content Editor is also available in course groups and in Text Entry assignment submissions.

By default, embedded media files allow comments to be added, though comments can be removed based on user preference. When media tabs are disabled, embedded Canvas Studio media can be resized in the user interface.

Note: Depending on your user role, not all Studio functionality may be available through the Rich Content Editor. If your Global Navigation Menu includes a link to Studio, you can manage videos at any time directly through a Studio account. Instructors can also access Studio through the Course Navigation Menu.

View Studio Icon in Rich Content Editor

View Studio Icon in Rich Content Editor

As an external tool, Studio can be accessed through the Studio icon in the Rich Content Editor [1]. The icon is used when embedding media into the Rich Content Editor.

Instructors can also add Studio media assignments with the Studio integration. Instructors can grade submissions in SpeedGrader just like any other Canvas assignment.

Notes: 

  • To view the Studio icon, you may need to click the Options icon [2].
  • You can also access the Studio tool from the App icon [3].

View Media Library

View Media Library

When embedding a video or audio file, any user can search for and view existing media and upload new media.

Users with instructor roles can also view uploads for individual courses.

When submitting a video or audio file for an assignment, students can submit Studio media through the Rich Content Editor as a Text Entry submission, or they can access their Studio media directly as a File Upload submission.

Select Media

Select Media

Hover over the media you want to select [1]. Then, click the Select button [2].

Display or Hide Media Tabs

Display or Hide Media Tabs

You can display Media Tabs in the embedded media file. The Media Tabs can include the Details, Comments, Insights, and Captions tabs. To hide the Media Tabs in the embedded media file, click the Display media tabs toggle button.

Note: By default, this option may be on or off. Admins control whether it is on or off by default through Studio Settings.

Embed at Timestamp

Embed at Timestamp

If you are embedding media from an external source such as YouTube or Vimeo, you can set the media to begin playing at a particular timestamp.

To embed media at a timestamp, click or play the video to the desired time [2]. Then, click the Set current button [3]. The time displayed on the Set current button displays in the Timestamp field [3]. Alternatively, enter a time directly into the Timestamp field.

Note: The option to start embedded media at a timestamp only displays if the media is from YouTube or Vimeo.

Resize Embedded Media

Resize Embedded Media

To resize embedded media, click to disable the Display media tabs toggle [1]. Then, click the Embed button [2].

Open Studio Media Options

Open Studio Media Options

Click in the video window to display the Studio Media Options pop-up. Then, click the Studio Media Options link.

Studio Media Options Tray

The Studio Media Options tray displays information about the media, including the media title, and display and sizing options.

You can customize how the embedded media displays. To embed the video directly in the rich content editor, click the Embed Video radio button [1]. To display a text link to open the media in a new tab, click the Display Text Link (Opens in a new tab) radio button [2].

To select a pre-set size from a list, click the Size drop-down menu [3]. Pre-set size options include medium, large, and extra large.

To enter a custom size, select the Custom option [4]. Enter a custom width or height in pixels in the size fields [5]. As you enter a size, the other field will automatically update to preserve the aspect ratio.

To save the selected options, click the Done button [6].

Note: The media title cannot be edited from the Studio Media Options tray. To edit the media title, view the media details.

Enable or Disable Download Option

Select Embed Options

If you are embedding your own media, you can allow the media to be downloaded. To display the download option in the embedded media file, click the Display Download Option toggle button. By default, this option is turned off.

Note: The Display Download Option toggle button only displays if you are the owner who created and uploaded the media file in Studio.

Embed Media

Choose Media

Click the Embed button.

View Media

View Media

When viewing embedded media in the Rich Content Editor, users can customize their experience using the Settings menu playback controls.

View Comment-Enabled Media Options

View Comment-Enabled Media

Video and audio files in the Rich Content Editor may or may not include comments. When comments are enabled, the video or audio file also includes additional details available based on a user's role.

View Media Details

View Media Details

Video and audio files with comments show the details of the file, which include the title, description, and tags, if any. These identifiers help users search for video or audio files when embedding in Canvas.

When media is added through the Rich Content Editor, the title of the media is created using the name of the uploaded file.  

Users with instructor roles can edit details to add a description and tags to media. They can also edit the title, if needed.

View Comments

View Comments

When comments are enabled, the dots in the timeline indicate comments [1], which can be viewed directly in the Comments tab [2]. Comments are arranged chronologically by time and are highlighted as they appear in the timeline. Comments can also include replies from other users.

Any user can add comments. Users with instructor roles can manage all comments for media in the course and remove comments if necessary.

View Analytics

View Analytics

Users with instructor roles can view analytics for each video or audio file on a per-user basis. Analytics on the Insights tab can help instructors see if a user viewed the entire media file or skipped segments. This feature specifically helps instructors see if students sufficiently viewed the content in preparation for an assignment or discussion.