2.2 - Embedding Objects in Pages
The first item in a module is often a page, which is where you can embed images or videos, include links to resources on or outside of Canvas, or type introductory remarks or notes. Similar to Modules, once a page is created it will have three options on the top right hand side of the screen: Publish, Edit, and Page Options (signified by three vertical dots).
When the Edit button is pressed, a Rich Text Editor will open.
(Many of these icons will be ones that users will be familiar with, but we'll come back to a few a little bit later that may be new.)
There are a number of ways to use the Rich Text Editor to insert media. The first is to use the three tabs to the right of the editor.
The first tab, "Links," allows an instructor to add direct links to other pages, assignments, etc. within a Canvas course. All you have to do is find the page/assignment/etc. you would like to link to and click on the blue text. When you do the text for the link, and the link itself, will be automatically generated by Canvas (you can edit the text once the link is inserted).
Using the "Files" tab, you can include a download link to a document that you have uploaded into Canvas.
The final tab, "Images," allows you to insert photos into your Canvas pages. To insert a personal photo you will need to upload it into Canvas by clicking the blue "Upload a new image" link. Once the file is uploaded it will appear in a preview box below the Upload link. Simply click on the photo you want to insert and Canvas will do the rest.
In addition to the menu on the right, you can also use the icons on the second row of the Rich Text Editor to insert various forms of media. We will touch on a couple of the most commonly used here.
Insert Image
Similar to the menu on the right, the embed image icon will ask you to upload or link an image (be sure that you have the proper rights to use the photo!), include Alt text for screen readers, and allow you to set the dimensions of an image.
(If you click on an image that has already been inserted into a page and then click the embed image icon you can edit any of this information--very helpful if you need to resize images!)
Insert/edit Media
The best way to insert videos into a Canvas course is to use the embed code tab. This places the video in the page itself so that students do not have to click out to another website.
This code is generally easily found. For example, if you want to include a YouTube video all you have to do is go to the video's page, click "Share," click "Embed," and copy the code. Then return to Canvas, click the Insert/edit Media button, click the "Embed" tab, paste the code, and click the blue "Ok" button.
For a Vimeo video the process is almost identical! Go to the video's page, click on the paper airplane share icon on the video, and copy the embed code from the box at the bottom of the menu. Then return to Canvas, click the Insert/edit Media button, click the "Embed" tab, paste the code, and click the blue "Ok" button.
Add Link | Remove Link
Use the standard add Link to URL button to add any links to websites that exist outside of Canvas. The process is the same as in other text editors: type what you want the link to say, highlight the text, click the button, enter the URL, and click "Insert Link."
The Remove link button can be used on any link to remove the URL from the text.
Add Panopto Recording
Panopto is EWU's primary lecture capture software. You can use this tool on any computer to create lectures, PowerPoints, etc. By clicking the button in the Rich Text Editor, you can embed an already recorded video or record one on the spot to include!
(We will learn more about this software and the Whisper Room next week!)