Recent updates
-
How to self-film live activities using a camera (e.g., smartphone, webcam)
Updated onArticleThis guide will provide an overview of how you could film yourself, with the support of another teaching team member, teaching assistant, or other helpful person in a physical space (e.g. classroom, lab). This mimics the FASE Lecture Capture Program in style by providing instructions on what to consider when bringing a camera into a space and filming the activity (this guide does NOT provide instructions on livestreaming or screen recording; both of those are possible but would require extra set up and planning).
This guide will review the major steps to this type of process, from planning and buying hardware, to in-class set up, and how to share the recordings with your students. This guide provides recommendations; you will need to tweak them for your specific teaching style and the type of activity you will be recording.
Teaching with Technology Resources Self-Capturing (Video/Screen Captures, Filming-at-home videos, etc.) Self-lecture capture of in-person teaching activities (e.g., lectures, tutorials)
-
Select your microphone
Updated onArticleThis guide provides an overview of different microphone options at various price points. Investing in good audio is one of the biggest upgrades you can make to video quality, especially when you are planning to stand far away from the recording device (like at a chalkboard). While this guide does make recommendations, you should test out any hardware you have first - you do not necessarily need to purchase new items for good video quality.
Before you buy: Make sure that whatever microphone you are buying is compatible with the camera and other hardware you hope to use. Usually you can buy an adapter to make it work, but it's always a good idea to check.
Teaching with Technology Resources Hardware Recommendations Selecting your hardware
-
Selecting other recommended filming accessories (e.g. tripod, lighting)
Updated onArticleThis guide covers some of the peripherals you might consider buying to improve the quality of your recordings (especially during filming sessions where you are on screen). Factors like stability and lighting quality are important parts to creating high quality video. While this guide does make recommendations, you should test out any hardware you have first - you do not necessarily need to purchase new items for good video quality.
Teaching with Technology Resources Hardware Recommendations Selecting your hardware
-
Review of in-person Lecture Capture options
Updated onArticleThere are few different techniques that you can use to capture your live, in person activities (e.g. lecture, demonstrations, tutorials, etc.). The technique you choose will depend on:
- what classroom you are in
- what type of content you have
- how you'd like to share the content
- if you plan to re-use the content
- your technical aptitude
This guide will help you compare the options and select the appropriate recording option for you; you might even use a mix of solutions based on the type of activity you are completing. For example, OpenCast might work well for your lecture sections but you'll use SnagIt to self-record portions of your tutorials. Keep in mind that generally you do not want to include students in your recordings; we always recommend editing these sections out before sharing with others.
Teaching with Technology Resources Self-Capturing (Video/Screen Captures, Filming-at-home videos, etc.) Self-lecture capture of in-person teaching activities (e.g., lectures, tutorials)
-
Review how to administer OpenCast (OCCS) in your course
Updated onArticleThis guide provides an overview of to administer OpenCast within your Quercus course, throughout your course's life cycle. OpenCast is a lecture capture system implemented by the Office of Learning Space Management (LSM) and is currently installed in classrooms with full teaching podiums (see if your classroom has OpenCast using LSM's Instructor Portal).
OpenCast records your live sessions in a classroom automatically (based on your course schedule and it requires opt in). It ONLY captures your digital display (e.g. content projecting on the display, through the teaching podium) and your audio feed (please use the in room microphone for best quality audio). See our feature overview of OpenCast.
Before starting, ensure that OpenCast is the right lecture capture solution for you (see the ETO's overview of in class lecture capture solutions). Then, you can make sure that you've configured it according to your preferences, and finally, when your course concludes, confirm that you've securely archived your recordings for future use.
"How to" Technical Guides (UofT's Academic Toolbox) OpenCast (Automatic Lecture Capture) Before you begin
-
How to set up ad hoc mixed modality sessions (using a webinar tool)
Updated onArticleThis guide provides an overview of are the ETO's recommended steps if you are setting up a mixed modality (some people in person, some people online) session for a course, meeting, or other activity. This is not an easy process and we recommend that you have others to help you support the set up and moderation of these sessions.
Teaching with Technology Resources Self-Capturing (Video/Screen Captures, Filming-at-home videos, etc.) Self-lecture capture of in-person teaching activities (e.g., lectures, tutorials)
-
How do I add captions for MyMedia videos?
Updated onArticleUofT-supported video hosting platform MyMedia allows viewing permissions to be set to Public, making it easy to share videos with individuals outside of U of T. Another advantage of MyMedia, is that public links on MyMedia do not expire. Video links shared publicly using Stream (on Sharepoint), on the other hand, have an expiration date which needs to be updated manually.
However, MyMedia does not have a feature to automatically generate video captions and transcripts, and publicly shared videos require captioning (see AODA Web Accessibility Guidelines for Videos). MyMedia does allow you to upload caption files manually for each video. That means that captions need to be created on another platform and uploaded to MyMedia. One way to generate captions is to use Stream on SharePoint which is a part of O365 suite. Adding captions to your videos using both MyMedia in conjunction with Stream can provide both captions and flexible video sharing settings.
This guide outlines the process to:
- Generate captions using Stream (on SharePoint)
- Add generated captions to a video on MyMedia.
"How to" Technical Guides (UofT's Academic Toolbox) MyMedia Captioning
-
How to download videos from Microsoft Stream (Classic)
Updated onArticleAs of August 29, 2023, Microsoft Stream (Classic) will be retired and replaced by Stream (on SharePoint). Videos that are currently stored on Microsoft Stream (Classic) should be downloaded or migrated before the retirement date as they will no longer be accessible to end users starting on August 29, 2023.
- If you have 30 or fewer videos to download, you will need to download the videos yourself using the information on this guide
- If you have more than 30 videos to download, you can request an IT-assisted migration of your content by emailing [email protected].
For complete details about this change, please review the following documentation:
- U of T Stream (Classic) retirement timeline page on the EASI (Enterprise Applications and Solutions Integration) website.
- Moving from Stream (Classic) to Stream (on SharePoint) blog post on the EdTech Office website.
This guide outlines the steps to download videos from Microsoft Stream (Classic) before August 29, 2023. For guidance on uploading videos to Stream (on Sharepoint), see our guide: How to upload videos to Stream (on SharePoint).
"How to" Technical Guides (UofT's Academic Toolbox) Microsoft Office 365 Microsoft Stream
-
Where can I get in-class technology support?
Updated onArticleThe Office of Learning Space Management (LSM) provides extended technical support for teaching activity in LSM-managed rooms (see if you're teaching in an LSM room using the LSM Instructor Look up).
"How to" Technical Guides (UofT's Academic Toolbox)
-
How to add a co-owner to your Microsoft Stream (Classic) videos
Updated onArticleThis guide will provide you with the steps to add a co-owner to your Microsoft Stream (Classic) videos. This is recommended when the uploader is not the only one who should be able to administer the videos (e.g., a TA records content for a course).
- For guidance on downloading videos from Stream (Classic), see our guide: How to download videos from Microsoft Stream (Classic).
- For guidance on uploading videos to Stream (on Sharepoint), see our guide: How to upload videos to Stream (on SharePoint).
"How to" Technical Guides (UofT's Academic Toolbox) Microsoft Office 365 Microsoft Stream