Here are some frequently asked questions from our engineering faculty.
Questions
Answers
How can I post a Zoom recording to Canvas automatically?
The best way to post Zoom recordings to Canvas is to use the Zoom LTI within Canvas.
When you use the LTI and enable cloud recording, the recordings will automatically post on a separate tab on the same Zoom page. Then, enrolled students can easily access the Zoom meeting links and recordings from within the Canvas course. This makes sharing Zoom recordings effortless and keeps recordings organized in a central location.
First, enable the Zoom LTI by adding it to the navigation menu. Navigate to Settings, then go to the Navigation tab at the top of the page. Drag Zoom to the top of the page or click the three dots to enable it. Don’t forget to click “Save” at the bottom of the page.
Lastly, click the Zoom LTI option that has appeared in the navigation menu. This will initialize the LTI and link your account. Now, you can easily schedule single or recurring meetings within Canvas using the interface on the Zoom LTI page. Don’t forget to check the box in your meeting settings to enable Zoom to record your meetings automatically.
Once you’re finished, students will find scheduled meetings and recordings by clicking “Zoom” in the navigation menu.
How can I foster a sense of connection and engagement with my students when not meeting in person?
Here’s a list of ideas; choose the best methods for your situation.
- Email your class regularly or use the Announcements feature in the LMS. Regular communication establishes a connection between you and your students, thus fostering a supportive and engaging learning environment. Provide timely updates about the course, assignments, and changes in the schedule, keeping students informed and reducing confusion and anxiety.
- Engage in virtual office hours. Be available for students to speak with you. Create a system for students to request one-on-one appointments to ask questions, seek clarification, and discuss course material and grades. This personal interaction can help build rapport.
- Provide timely feedback. Providing personalized feedback on major assignments or regularly throughout the course shows the student their work is seen and matters. It doesn’t have to be lengthy; even short comments can positively impact the student experience.
- Host optional live sessions. Host interactive live sessions for more in-depth discussions or Q&A sessions. This real-time interaction can create a more engaging online learning experience. Also, provide recordings for students who cannot attend.
- Seek feedback from students. Seek feedback from your students through surveys or polls to understand their needs and concerns. Don’t wait until the end of the course to hear from them! This shows you value their input and are committed to improving their experience.
- Utilize Discussion Boards. Create online discussion boards where students can engage in course-related discussions, share insights, and ask questions. Participate in these discussions to maintain an active presence.
- Share video messages. Record short video messages in order to deliver important updates, encourage motivation, and provide a personal touch to your communication.
- Make module intro videos. Help drive students’ interest in each module by creating introductory videos. In these videos, highlight the connections between modules and topics to real-world scenarios. You can also add a connection to your experience or a related case in the field.
- Introduce yourself. Create personal and professional bio videos to introduce yourself and help students get a sense of who you are.
- Assign group projects or collaborative assignments. Encourage collaboration among students by assigning group projects. This fosters interaction and consequently helps create a sense of community.
- Record interview videos with experts in the field. You can use Zoom or the eSAIL Studios to record interviews. Bringing the perspective of an expert in the field is a great way to keep the course fresh and relevant.
By implementing such techniques, you can enhance the online learning experience for you and your students, making it more engaging and connected.
How do I edit my Zoom recordings?
If you record Zoom sessions locally, you will receive an MP4 file you can edit in any desktop video editor. However, if you store your recordings in the cloud or upload them to Canvas, you can use the built-in YuJa Video Editor to make adjustments directly in your browser.
- Navigate to your YuJa Media Library, hover over the video thumbnail, and select Edit.
- Use the playhead and the timeline at the bottom to find the section you want to modify.
- Click Cut to split the video, then highlight the unwanted segment and click Delete.
- Review your changes using the preview player.
- When you are finished, click Save at the top right to overwrite the existing file, or select Save As New to preserve your original recording.
Once processing is complete, the updated video will automatically refresh wherever it is already embedded or shared in Canvas.
Chunking Videos by Topic
If you want to break up a long lecture into smaller pieces, or chunks, so students can view your lecture by topic, use the Save As New option in the YuJa editor for each segment. This allows you to create shorter, focused videos from a single source recording without altering your original file. Be sure to give each new chunk a clear, descriptive title.
Please note: Chunking videos by topic can significantly help students with slow and/or spotty internet connections.
See So You’ve Made a Zoom Recording…Now What? for more information about handling your Zoom recordings.
Splicing videos into complex chunks or advanced layouts requires a dedicated app, such as Camtasia. It is recommended to enable optimization for 3rd party video editor in Zoom Settings > Recording if external edits are required.
Need something else?
If your question is not listed here, please email us at eSAIL@tamu.edu to request help.
