This guide is for instructors who use a Windows PC and want to record a Panopto session for Canvas.
Step 1. Find the Panopto Widget
Start by going to the page where you want to use Panopto to record and submit a session (e.g. resources page, assignment, etc.). Click Edit at the top-right. You will be presented with the Rich Content Editor, which is used for editing the content of the page.
You can expand its view to better see the contents being edited by clicking, holding, and dragging on the dotted corner at the bottom-right.
Click on the exact area where you want to insert the Panopto session that you will record. (It may be helpful to add an extra line above and below it to keep it separated from other content.)
In the editor toolbar above the text-entry field, click the Apps button (which looks like an electrical plug), then select the Panopto Recordings option.
If an option for Panopto does not appear, select View All then click Panopto Recordings in the Select App window that appears.
Step 2. Prepare to Launch Panopto
The Panopto Recordings window will pop up. If prompted, sign in using your Canvas credentials. You may also have to authenticate or allow Panopto to be used. Then, select Record on the right.
Download and install Panopto using the link if you have not already done so.
At the top, confirm that the correct folder is selected as the destination for your recording. Its name should contain the correct term, course code, section code, and course title. It can be helpful to open a copy of the current Canvas page in a separate window or tab of your web browser, then refer to the full course and section listing at the very top.
If the correct folder is not already selected, you can search for it in the drop-down menu by typing the full course and section listing or navigating inside “Canvas Courses.”
Name the session to be recorded.
Note: avoid any references to dates, weeks, or modules, as these can easily become obsolete and confusing when courses are restructured or the named Panopto session is used in other courses or contexts.
Step 3. Launch the Panopto application
Click the Launch App button. This opens the Panopto application.
Step 4. Prepare to Record
When the application finishes launching, confirm that the folder and session names at the top are the same ones you chose earlier. If needed, the folder can be edited here as in the Panopto Recordings window earlier, and the session name can be changed later, after recording.
Select your webcam from the Video drop-down menu. Make sure your webcam video is displayed in the Primary Sources preview window.
Select your microphone from the Audio drop-down menu, and test your audio input by speaking a few words. The volume meter just to the right of the Primary Sources preview window will light up when detecting sound. While you’re speaking, at least 4-6 green bars should light up on the volume meter.
If you need to adjust your microphone volume, do so by adjusting the slider next to the volume meter.
If you want to record a video-only session with your webcam, confirm that the boxes under Secondary Sources for Capture PowerPoint and Capture Main Screen are unchecked, then skip to Step 5.
If you want to record a session with your webcam and presentation slides, check the box for Capture PowerPoint and leave unchecked the box for Capture Main Screen.
Open your PowerPoint presentation, but do not start the slideshow yet. Return to Panopto.
Note: Panopto will not record transitions, animations, and notes or drawings created during the slideshow. To record such, simply record the screen that will play the slideshow, using the next directions for screen recording and not the above directions for recording slides.
If you want to record a session with your webcam and a recording of your screen, click on Capture Main Screen below Secondary Sources or, if you want to record a different screen, click on Add Another Video Source, then use the drop-down menu that appears to choose the correct screen. Confirm that the checkbox for Capture PowerPoint is unchecked.
If you plan to record a screen that will show lots of motion such as a video or animation, set the FPS to 15-20 at the bottom.
Step 5. Record
Confirm that everything you want to record is selected, and everything you don’t want to record is unselected, then click Record.
Begin your presentation. Once recording begins, you can Pause the recording or Stop, then choose to delete and retry.
However, it is instead recommended that if you make a mistake or are interrupted while recording, pause for a few seconds, then resume or restart from an appropriate point in your presentation. This way, you can later edit your session in Panopto’s online editor and trim out unwanted parts, instead of restarting after every mishap.
If you’re recording presentation slides, return to PowerPoint and play your slideshow when you need. Panopto will only record the slides that are presented while the slideshow is playing.
If you’re recording a screen, minimize Panopto after clicking Record to hide it from view, then start your presentation.
Step 6. Stop Recording
When you are finished presenting, click Stop.
If necessary, you can choose Delete and record again. Otherwise, confirm the title in the Session Name field and, depending on your preferences in Panopto, click Done or Upload.
Step 7. Review Your Session
Next, you will be taken to the Manage Recordings window. The progress of the upload will be shown on the right. You must wait for uploading to complete. After the session is done uploading, it will begin processing. You do not have to wait for processing to complete before returning to your course page on Canvas.
Step 8. Submit Your Session
Return to your course page on Canvas, and you will see your recently recorded session in the Panopto Recordings window. Click Insert at the bottom-right.
The Panopto Recordings window will close, and you will see your session appear in the text entry box. Click Save at the bottom-right of the page.
Your session will not be ready to watch until processing is complete. Processing time roughly corresponds to the recording’s length. When the Panopto session is finished processing, the embed will automatically refresh itself and be ready to play.
