Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon Portland Community College

Video Options for Students (Instructor’s Guide)

The list below highlights video options available and supported at PCC for student-created video materials:

Video Notes

  • more information about Video Notes.
  • This tool is integrated into D2L, and students can use it to record video or audio. It also allows uploading a video file that students may record on their phone’s camera or anything else.
  • The video is limited to 30 min and can have captions (explore auto-captions). Video notes use temporary storage, and it removes video after six months.
  • This tool provides the most straightforward workflow for recording and publishing webcam videos in the class.
  • Video Notes can be published anywhere in D2L where the HTML editor is available such as Discussions, Assignments, and Written Question questions in quizzes.
  • The video recording can be embedded in the D2L HTML page.
  • The tool doesn’t provide screen capture. Users can upload screen-captured videos recorded by 3rd party software like QuickTime on Mac or Screencast O’Matic on PC.
  • Using Video Note in D2L Brightspace.

MyMedia

  • more information about My Media.
  • Video playback is optimized based on student’s device and internet connection speed.
  • This tool provides video capturing and video streaming solutions. It is also integrated into D2L and provides recording software that can only record video (Express Capture) or video and screen capture (Kaltura Capture).
  • To use screen capturing software Kaltura Capture, the user would need to install it on their computer-provided application. The installation process is simple; it takes about 1 min to download and install the application.
  • After the recording is complete, the application provides an upload to MyMedia storage with a simple button click.
  • MyMedia videos are auto-captions. Captions can be edited or added.
  • There is no file size or length limit. Students also can upload their own recorded video files.
  • MyMedia provides an interactive video player that is optimized for the video viewer.
  • MyMedia can record 2 video streams simultaneously so that the user can record screen and webcam video simultaneously.
  • Some annotation options, like colored pencils for drawing, are available when creating recordings.
  • MyMedia videos can be published anywhere in D2L where the HTML editor is available such as Discussions, Assignments, and Written Question types of questions in quizzes.
    Video can be embedded in an HTML page.
  • The playback speed can be changed. The video player is optimized and can play videos of different qualities.
  • MyMedia provides a basic editor for trimming videos, but it is not user-friendly or intuitive. MyMedia videos stay in the users’ library without a time limit.
  • Kaltura My Media student guide

Zoom

  • more information about Zoom.
  • This tool provides video capturing, screen capturing, and video streaming solutions.  Students would need a PCC Pro account, and instructors can request it for students by emailing dlhelp@pcc.edu.
  • With recording made to the cloud, it only kept for 120 days.
  • The links to Cloud recordings of videos can be published anywhere in D2L where the HTML editor is available such as Discussions, Assignments ts, and Written questions in quizzes. Captions are automatically provided by Zoom.
  • Some annotation options, like highlighting, pointing, or drawing, are available when creating recordings, as well as various shapes and arrows.
  • Students can also download recordings and upload them to the MyMedia server and use it for publishing in D2L Video can not be embedded in an HTML page.
  • The playback speed can be changed.
  • Zoom provides a simple way to trim recorded videos.
  • Zoom guide for students.

VoiceThread

  • more information about VoiceThread.
  • This tool is integrated into D2L and shines as an audio/video discussion or student presentation tool. It also can be used as an Audio/Video.
  • Assignment tool with grade sections connected to the D2L Grades area.
  • The tool allows students to make audio or video comments to instructors or other students’ audio/video posts.
    The tool does not provide screen capturing, but a video file can be uploaded.
  • It has basic multicolor annotation options for commenting. Has a variable playback speed.
  • Auto captioning is provided by request, and editing captures are available.
  • No options for different video quality.
  • VoiceThread Guide for Students.

YouTube

  • This is a video streaming solution that could be used by students, where students can post links to their videos in D2L where the HTML editor is available such as Discussions, Assignments, and Written Question type of questions in quizzes.
  • Students need to use their own Google account to upload to their own YouTube account.
  • YouTube doesn’t provide Screen Capture. Captions are generated automatically and can be edited later.
  • Video can be embedded in an HTML page.
  • The playback speed can be changed.
  • The video player is optimized and can play videos of different qualities.

Google Drive

  • more information about Google Apps.
  • It can be used as a video storing and streaming solution that could be used along with D2L, where students can post links to their videos. Students upload to their PCC Google Drive, share the link with faculty, and add a caption (if needed).
  • The video player in Google Drive is not optimized as great as MyMedia or Youtube but has two options for video quality.
  • The playback speed can be changed.
  • The automatic video captions are not provided, but the caption files can be added to the video.
  • There are no annotation tools. It is not a video-capturing tool and can be used only for storing videos and playing them back with a link.
  • The videos cannot be embedded in an HTML page.
  • Student Google Apps.

The table below for comparing some features of the listed above tools

Description MyMedia Video Notes Zoom VoiceThread PCC Google Drive Personal YouTube
Time limit for recording no limit 30 min no limit 1 hour no limit no limit
Auto Captioning yes yes yes yes No, it can be uploaded manually yes
PC x x x x x x
MAC x x x x x x
D2L Integrated for creating video yes yes no yes no no
Picture-in-Picture yes no yes no no no
Basic Editing (trim & cut) yes no limited no no yes
Advanced Editing no no no no no no
Adjustable/adaptive video quality for playback yes no no no yes yes
Annotation when recording yes no yes no no no
Screen Capturing yes no yes no no no
Pause Playback yes yes yes yes yes yes
Adjustable playback speed yes yes yes yes yes yes
Transcript Available no no no no no yes
Auto-generated captions yes yes yes yes no yes
Edit caption capability yes no yes yes yes yes
Playlist chapter yes no no yes no yes
Auto upload to D2L 1 click auto with link yes with link with link
The videos lifespan 2 years 6 months 120 days No limit/or until the class is available in D2L as long as you can access PCC account no limit