Skip to Main Content

Videos in Canvas

Instructions on linking and embedding Library videos, including playlists and clips, in your Canvas course and Reading List.

About Kanopy

Kanopy is an on-demand streaming video service that offers access to documentaries, training films and theatrical releases across diverse subjects and disciplines.

Note: You cannot embed Kanopy content in your Canvas course. However, you can link to individual videos or playlists from your Canvas module or add them to your Reading List.

Access information

You can screen directly from Kanopy, as well as link to videos in online courses. Kanopy links do not need to go via the OpenAthens link generator. By creating a personalised account, you can build a playlist of video titles and create clips to play only selected sections.

Note: The Library does not renew videos that have less than five views per year. If the video is required, please submit a Library Purchase Request.

Creating your account

Access the Kanopy collection with your RMIT username and password. For full access to features, select SIGN UP.  You will be asked to verify your account through email. This personalised account allows you to Add to Watchlist, Create Playlists and Create Clips.

Add to My Watchlist

Once you have created a personal account you can add programs to My Watchlist.

  1. Search for a video, then select the video title to see the full record.
  2. Underneath the video window, select the + My List button.

This will then add the program into your My Watchlist in the account section (top right of screen).

Creating clips

To create a clip, you will first need to add the video to a playlist. To do this:

  1. From the full video display, select Create Clip.
  2. Scroll down and either Add Video to an existing list or select Create New Playlist.
  3. Once you have created a playlist, to create a clip, select Edit Playlist (you can also view your Playlist(s) from the My Dashboard section of your account located at top right of screen).
  4. In the playlist, Clips are listed. Select the Edit button to the right of the clip you want to edit.
  5. Change the Clip Title and add a description if needed.

Edit a clip

There are two ways to edit a clip:

  1. Type in a Start Time and Stop Time. Once done, select Save Clip. 
    Or, if you are unsure of the times, you can also play the video and use the Capture feature.
    Play the video and move the progress bar to the time you want to start your clip and then select the Capture button to the right of the Start Time. Set the Stop Time by the same method. Once done, select Save Clip.
  2. The Share URL should be available on the page for this Clip. If not, obtain the URL for the Clip from Account (top right) > My Dashboard > My Playlists > Share.

Reading Lists

See more information about Reading Lists on the library guide Reading Lists in Canvas.

To add a video in Reading Lists

Videos may be added to a Reading list using either the Search, or Cite it functions, as detailed on the Reading Lists in Canvas guide.

If the video is indexed within LibrarySearch, use the Search option:

  1. In Reading Lists, select ADD ITEMS + icon.
  2. Search for the video in LibrarySearch.
  3. Once selected, add to the appropriate section of the Reading List.
  4. Select ADD.

If the video is not indexed within LibrarySearch, use the Cite it function:

  1. The Cite it function will autofill some parts of the citation details. Check the fields for Title, Author, Type, Duration, Publisher, Publication date, and if needed, a public note.
  2. Once complete, add to the appropriate section of the Reading List.
  3. Select ADD.

To add a clipped video in Reading Lists

  1. View box above about Creating Clips. Obtain the URL for Clip from Account (top right) > My Dashboard > My Playlists > Share.
  2. In Reading Lists, select ADD ITEMS + icon.
  3. Select the Create screen.
  4. Select Video as the Type.
  5. Add the title, author, duration, publisher, publication date, and a public note to the record.
  6. In the Source field paste the URL of the Clip.
  7. Select ADD.

Linking in Canvas

You can link to a Kanopy video in your Canvas course.

To link to a video in Canvas

In Kanopy:

  1. From the full video record, select the Share button.
  2. Copy the URL from the Share Link box.

In Canvas:

  1. Go to the Canvas page where you want to link to the video.
  2. Select the Edit button.
  3. In the Rich Content Editor mode type the name of the video or relevant text on the required page.
  4. Select the text.
  5. Select the Links icon.
  6. Paste the link in the Insert Link box.
  7. Select Done, then Save.

The link is inserted into your Canvas course and will open in a new tab.

Note: This process also works for clips. Go to Account (top right) > My Dashboard > My Playlists for Share URL.