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MEDIAL | Comparing MEDIAL's Canvas Video App with the Inbuilt Video Tools in Canvas

Writer's picture: MEDIAL BloggerMEDIAL Blogger

In today's digital learning environment, video content has become essential for both teaching and learning. This article explores the MEDIAL Canvas Video App, a powerful tool that enhances video capabilities within the Canvas platform, comparing it with the built-in video tools that Canvas offers.

Key Takeaways

  • Upload Limitations: MEDIAL allows configurable upload limits up to 100 GB, while Canvas restricts uploads to 500 MB.

  • Content Management: MEDIAL provides robust content management features, unlike the limited options in Canvas.

  • Content Security: MEDIAL ensures secure content sharing, while Canvas has vulnerabilities.

  • Content Creation: MEDIAL offers advanced recording and editing tools compared to Canvas's basic options.

  • Accessibility Features: MEDIAL supports automatic captioning and editing, enhancing accessibility.

  • Integrations: MEDIAL integrates seamlessly with Zoom and Microsoft Teams for enhanced functionality.

  • Analytics: MEDIAL provides detailed analytics on video engagement, a feature lacking in Canvas.

Overview Of MEDIAL

MEDIAL is a scalable and secure video solution designed for Canvas, allowing teachers and students to easily add and record video content. It enhances the learning experience by providing advanced video editing, assignment submissions, and analytics, all in one place.

Upload Limitations

One of the first things to consider is the upload limitations. In Canvas, the built-in tools restrict uploads to a maximum of 500 MB. This can be a significant barrier for educators and students who need to share larger files. On the other hand, MEDIAL allows for configurable upload limits that can go up to 100 GB. This flexibility means that different user groups can have tailored upload limits, making it easier for teachers and students to manage their video content.

Content Management

When it comes to content management, MEDIAL shines. The inbuilt tools in Canvas offer a basic tree structure for managing uploaded content, but users have limited options for editing or deleting their media. MEDIAL, however, provides a comprehensive admin interface where users can manage their content effectively. This includes the ability to edit, delete, and even set content policies based on specific rules, such as deleting old content or content not accessed in a while.

Content Security

Content security is another critical area where MEDIAL outperforms Canvas. With Canvas, once a media file is uploaded, it can be relatively easy for someone with basic technical knowledge to download and share that file outside of the platform. MEDIAL, however, ensures that content is secure and can only be accessed by users with valid sessions in Canvas. This added layer of security is crucial for protecting sensitive educational materials.

Content Creation

When it comes to content creation, MEDIAL offers a much more robust set of tools compared to Canvas's basic recording options. With MEDIAL, users can record their screens, webcams, or both, and switch between them seamlessly during the recording. This flexibility allows for a more dynamic presentation style. Additionally, MEDIAL includes built-in editing tools that let users trim and edit their videos directly in the browser, making it easier to produce polished content without needing external software.

Accessibility Features

Accessibility is increasingly important in education. While Canvas allows users to add subtitles, it relies on having the captions file ready. MEDIAL takes it a step further by offering automatic captioning for all uploaded content. Users can also request captions if they are not automatically generated. This feature is particularly beneficial for students who may have hearing impairments or who are non-native speakers.

Integrations With Other Tools

In today's educational landscape, tools like Zoom and Microsoft Teams have become integral for remote learning. MEDIAL integrates seamlessly with both platforms. For instance, recordings made in Zoom can be ingested into MEDIAL, allowing for easy editing and sharing within Canvas. This integration streamlines the workflow for educators, making it easier to manage video content from multiple sources.

Analytics

Finally, let's talk about analytics. Understanding how students engage with video content is vital for educators. Canvas lacks detailed analytics on video usage, leaving teachers in the dark about whether their content is being viewed. MEDIAL, however, provides comprehensive analytics that show how many students are watching videos, when they are watching, and even how engaged they are with the content. This data can help educators refine their teaching strategies and improve student engagement.

In conclusion, while Canvas offers basic video tools, MEDIAL's Canvas Video App provides a far superior experience for both educators and students. With its advanced features, flexible upload limits, robust content management, and detailed analytics, MEDIAL is a game-changer in the realm of educational video solutions.

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