How do I upload a Photo Booth video to Canvas?

Uploading your Photo Booth video to Canvas can be done through two primary methods: direct upload to Canvas or via an external video hosting service like YouTube or Vimeo. The best method depends on your video's file size and the requirements of your Canvas assignment or discussion.

Locating Your Photo Booth Video

Before you can upload, you need to find your Photo Booth video file. Photo Booth videos are typically saved as .mov files in your Mac's Movies folder, within a subfolder named "Photo Booth Library."

1. Open Finder: Go to your desktop and open a new Finder window.
2. Navigate to Movies: In the sidebar, click on Movies.
3. Find Your Video: Look for a folder named "Photo Booth Library." Your videos will be inside this folder.

Step-by-Step Guide: Uploading Your Video to Canvas

Method 1: Direct Upload via Canvas (Ideal for Smaller Files)

This method involves uploading the video file directly from your computer to Canvas. Be mindful of Canvas's file size limits, which vary but can be restrictive for larger video files.

1. Access Canvas: Navigate to your Canvas course and go to the specific Assignment, Discussion, or Page where you need to upload the video.

2. Open the Rich Content Editor (RCE):

   • For assignments: Click "Submit Assignment" or "Start Assignment."
   • For discussions: Click "Reply" to an existing post or "Start a New Discussion."
   • For pages: Click "Edit."

3. Upload Media: In the Rich Content Editor toolbar, look for the 'Record/Upload Media' icon (it often looks like a play button or camcorder).

   • Click on the icon and select 'Upload Media' or 'Computer'.
   • A file browser window will appear. Navigate to your Photo Booth video file (from your Movies > "Photo Booth Library" folder), select it, and click 'Open' or 'Choose'.

4. Wait for Upload: The video will begin uploading to Canvas. This may take some time depending on your video's size and your internet connection.

5. Insert/Submit: Once the upload is complete, the video will appear in the Rich Content Editor.

   • For assignments, click "Submit Assignment."
   • For discussions, click "Post Reply."
   • For pages, click "Save."

   Upon successful submission, you can go ahead and you can hit done. You can see that your video is posted. And you can play it directly within Canvas, as observed in the typical Canvas video submission workflow.

Method 2: Uploading via External Video Hosting (Recommended for Larger Files & Optimal Playback)

This method is generally preferred for larger video files as it leverages dedicated video streaming services, saving Canvas storage space and often providing a smoother playback experience for viewers.

1. Locate Your Video: Find your Photo Booth video file as described in the "Locating Your Photo Booth Video" section.

2. Upload to YouTube or Vimeo:

   • Go to YouTube.com or Vimeo.com and sign in to your account (or create one if you don't have one).
   • Click the 'Create' or 'Upload' button (usually a camera icon or "Upload video" text).
   • Follow the prompts to select and upload your Photo Booth video file.
   • Important Privacy Settings: For Canvas, it's recommended to set your video's privacy to 'Unlisted' (viewable by anyone with the link) or 'Public'. Avoid 'Private' as Canvas users won't be able to access it.

3. Get Shareable Link or Embed Code:

   • Once your video is processed and uploaded on YouTube/Vimeo, access its sharing options.
   • For Direct Link: Copy the full URL (web address) of your video.
   • For Embed Code: Look for an 'Embed' option and copy the provided <iframe> code.

4. Insert into Canvas:

   • Navigate to your Canvas Assignment, Discussion, or Page.
   • Open the Rich Content Editor (RCE) as described in Method 1, Step 2.
   • Using a Link: Simply paste the YouTube/Vimeo URL directly into the RCE. Canvas's Rich Content Editor often automatically embeds the video player when it detects a YouTube or Vimeo link.
   • Using Embed Code: In the RCE, click on the 'Embed' icon (often denoted by </>) or switch to the HTML Editor view (sometimes a button in the bottom right of the RCE). Paste the <iframe> embed code there.

5. Finalize in Canvas: Submit your assignment, post your reply, or save your page.

   After embedding your video and hitting the submission or save button, you can go ahead and you can hit done. You can see that your video is posted. And you can play it directly within the Canvas interface.

Tips for a Smooth Upload

• File Size: Be aware of Canvas's file size limits for direct uploads. External hosting is always better for larger files.
• Internet Connection: A stable and fast internet connection will significantly speed up the upload process.
• Video Format: While Photo Booth typically uses .mov, most platforms and Canvas are compatible with common video formats. If you encounter issues, consider converting your video to .mp4 using a video converter.