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Using Kaltura in Canvas

Kaltura is fully integrated into Canvas, making it easy to upload, embed, organize, and analyze instructional media. This page outlines how to use Kaltura tools within Canvas to enhance teaching and learning.

?️ Accessing Kaltura in Canvas

Faculty can access Kaltura through several built-in Canvas tools:

  • My Media (Global Navigation)
    Your personal media library. Videos uploaded or recorded via Kaltura appear here.

    Screenshot of the Canvas Global Navigation Menu with the My Media icon highlighted in black
    ? Learn more about My Media

  • Media Gallery (Course Navigation)
    A shared space for course-related media. Videos published here are visible to all enrolled users.

    Screenshot of the Canvas Course Navigation menu showing the Media Gallery link.

    ? Learn more about Media Gallery

  • Browse & Embed Tool (Rich Content Editor)
    Use the cloud icon in the editor to search and embed videos from your My Media library.

     

    Screenshot of the Rich-Text Editor in Canvas with the Kaltura cloud icon visible in the toolbar.
    ? Learn more about Browse, Search & Embed

? Adding Video to Canvas

Use the Add New button in My Media or Media Gallery to upload or record content.
Screenshot of the Add New dropdown menu in Kaltura showing options for Media Upload, Express Capture, YouTube, Kaltura Capture, and Video Quiz.

Available options include:

? Embedding Video in Canvas

Videos can be embedded in:

  • Pages
  • Assignments
  • Discussions
  • Quizzes
  • Announcements

Use the Browse & Embed tool to select a video from:

  • Your My Media folder
  • The Media Gallery for the course
  • Your Shared Repository

Screenshot of the Kaltura Embed Media window showing available videos from My Media, Media Gallery, and Shared Repository with an Embed button.

Tip: Embedded videos retain Kaltura features like analytics, captions, and quiz functionality.

❓ Creating Video Quizzes

Kaltura allows you to add quiz questions to videos:

  • Multiple choice, true/false, and open-ended formats
  • Scores can be synced with the Canvas Gradebook
  • Great for formative assessments and engagement checks

See the Video Quiz overview for details and instructions.

? Tracking Engagement

Use Kaltura Analytics to monitor:

  • Who watched the video
  • How long they watched
  • Which parts were skipped or rewatched

Analytics are available in:

  • My Media (per video)
  • Media Gallery (per course)

? Entry level analytics in Canvas

Note: Some views may be listed as “Unknown” due to browser settings or direct links. Publishing videos in Canvas helps ensure accurate tracking.

? Best Practices

  • Keep videos short
    Aim for videos around 15 minutes or less to support student attention spans and make it easier to revisit specific concepts.

  • Use playlists
    Combine short videos into a playlist to simulate the flow of a longer lecture while maintaining modularity and flexibility.
    ? Learn about Playlists

  • Publish to Media Gallery
    Helps students easily find course-related videos in one place.

  • Embed videos in modules
    Aligns media with course structure and learning outcomes.

  • Use captions
    Improves accessibility and supports diverse learning needs.

  • Add quizzes
    Promote active viewing and reinforce key concepts.

? Final Tips: 

  • Videos added to Canvas via Kaltura retain full functionality—including captions, analytics, and quiz features—making them ideal for accessible, interactive learning.
  • Videos stored in Kaltura do not count toward Canvas’s 2GB course file limit, helping keep courses lightweight and scalable.
  • Kaltura also provides better playback performance, automatically adjusting video quality and format based on the viewer’s device and network speed—reducing buffering and improving accessibility.
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