Resource 2.2 Audio and Video: How to Record and Submit Quality Video

Assignment Submissions

Recording and Submitting

There are many ways you can submit audio and video recordings for a Mizzou Academy course in Canvas. Your course content may refer to Audacity. (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.)However, you don't need to use Audacity to make an mp3 recording for your course. After all, there are many programs and apps on computers and mobile devices that will do just that!

Note: You can also submit assignments using files stored on third-party apps (e.g. Dropbox) on your mobile apps.

Android - record and submit audio, video or other attachments (Links to an external site.)
iOS: record and submit audio, video, or other attachments (Links to an external site.)
Desktop: record and submit audio or video file (Links to an external site.) (Advanced editing can be done with Audacity (Links to an external site.).)
Record, Upload, and then Submit a Link (Links to an external site.) with YouTube, Vimeo, Google Drive, or other available Link

We do NOT allow you to submit .wav files.

How to shoot quality audio and video

The only way for you to present quality speeches (and other multimedia) to your Mizzou teacher is by uploading a video of yourself. Therefore, it's incredibly important that the audio and video quality is good enough that your instructor can see and hear everything clearly. You might all be in different environments using various types of cameras, so rather than attempting to teach you about specific cameras, we're going to concentrate on things like lighting, background, setup and stabilization, and audio.

Lighting and Background

Use a distraction-free background
Face windows with natural light
Avoid overhead lights when indoors
Use a lamp or two for additional lighting
Watch back your video to see how it looks
Keep trying, keep learning, and keep having fun

Setup and Stabilization

Don't shoot handheld
Use anything that can safely hold the camera steady

tripod and mount
DIY solutions (picture stand, bean bag, binder clips)

Place the camera level with your eyeline

Audio

Shoot video in the quietest room at the quietest time of day
Turn everything off (cell phone, TV, radio, fans, etc.)
Get closer to the camera
Avoid noisy habits (hand rubbing, clapping, etc.)
Use an external microphone

Setting Up Your YouTube (Or Other Video) Account

If you already have a Gmail account, then you have a YouTube account, but in case you don't, getting your account set up is the first step. Just go to gmail.com and create an account to get started. Work with a trusted adult or parent.

Creator Studio

On thing to note is that you can access all of your channel's videos and privacy settings through the Creator Studio. To locate this area in your account, click the icon in the upper right corner (where you logged in) and you should see the option for Creator Studio under your login name. Once you click this, you will be taken to the dashboard area for your account. There are a few different areas available you should be aware of:

Video Manager

This section houses all of the videos on your account. You can also create playlists (lists or groups of videos with a similar topic or theme).

Channel

Your content settings are located with the majority of your video and content settings. It is also where you can determine the privacy of your videos. If you click on Upload Defaults in this section, it will give you the options that you can set for all future uploads. Changing the privacy to Unlisted means that anyone with the link will be able to view your video but it won't be searchable to the public.

Create

This section isn't required, but it's good to be aware that this area provides a basic video editor where you can make minor adjustments to your videos as well as add copyright free background music.

Uploading a Video

Now that your account is setup, you are ready to upload your video. Here are the steps you will need to follow:

Click Upload in the upper right-hand corner of the screen
Either drag & drop the video file into the box or click on the gray arrow to select it from your files. You will notice that the privacy box will already be set to unlisted based on your privacy settings
This will automatically begin the upload once the file is selected, taking you to a new window:

Make sure the title box is correctly filled out
Descriptions and tags are usually left blank unless the video is public
Thumbnails This is what viewers will see when they first pull up your video. You can choose from a few automatic image selections, or you can upload your image

Once the video finishes uploading, processing, and you selected the titles/thumbnails, click "Done
The link to share your video will appear. Copy and paste this link to turn in your video.

Getting Your Videos Into the Course: Uploading

If you are comfortable with recording video, transferring the file to your computer, and then uploading, this is the preferred method because some assignments (such as video journals) will have you recording multiple videos for one assignment. One problem you may run into is a camera that creates an incredibly large file. In such cases, you may need to convert the file to make it smaller.

File Conversion

Some cameras record videos that create very large file sizes. Depending on your internet connection, these larger files might have problems uploading. In these cases, you might need to convert the video to a smaller version. Look for a free video converter like Any Video Converter or Format Factory to help you.

Getting Your Videos Into the Course: Direct Recording

Canvas does allow you to record via webcam directly into Canvas. However, this will not be available when multiple videos are required. Another reason to shy away from this method is that if you have a hiccup in your internet connection or your computer freezes, your video will be lost, and you will have to rerecord everything. Just to save the hassle, it's better to either upload a file or provide a link to an unpublished YouTube video.