Media streaming is a continuous transmission of video or audio files from a server to a user, enabling the user to listen to audio or view videos online through a media player supported by the platform, eliminating the need to download the file(s).
The Alamo Colleges District provides a variety of media streaming tools to employees and students to record and upload an audio or video file from their computer or mobile device to securely view and share it with others. These platforms may be used with instruction or authorized college/district communication and events.
The following guide provides a list of these tools and other free, publicly available streaming platforms for you to evaluate and select a tool that aligns with your course design and meaningfully supports your students' learning experience.
Available Media Streaming Tools
Select each link below to view a tool description, best uses for teaching and learning, and recommended user tips.
YouTube is a free video sharing website that makes it easy to watch online videos, and users can create and upload their own videos to share with others. This tool is not licensed or supported by the Alamo Colleges District, but it is free and available to the public and it requires a personal Google account to join.
Best uses for YouTube include:
- Solo projects such as speeches, presentations, demonstrations, or performances
- Videos that the user would want to share in more than one class and would not mind students viewing after the course has concluded
- Content that can be included as part of a portfolio or used beyond the Alamo Colleges
User Tip: Create a private YouTube channel and set videos to “Unlisted” so they can only be viewed/shared through a direct hyperlink. This will also prevent your videos from appearing in public searches.
Microsoft Stream (part of the Office 365 suite of apps) is a video service where users in our organization can upload, view, organize, and share videos securely. There are separate video streaming platforms for employees and students, and anyone with access to their respective system can search for and share videos with users within the same Microsoft tenant.
Best uses for Microsoft Stream include:
- Employee trainings (including student workers) or internal communication
- Archive older recordings or presentations
User Tip: Embed Stream videos where only certain employees can access them such as One Drive, SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, or Canvas training shells.
Zoom is a web-conferencing tool that allows users to meet synchronously with their colleagues, instructors, or classmates. This tool allows users to record videos and screencasts to the Zoom Cloud that can be streamed for 150 days. Audio and video recording files can be downloaded and saved for archiving and sharing on other streaming platforms.
Best uses for Zoom include:
- Individual or group presentations, class/group discussions, and review/tutoring sessions
- Create content with no plans to reuse beyond the current term
- Record videos/screen casts to manually download/upload to another streaming service
User Tip: If you want to hold onto (or reuse) a video recorded within the last 30 days, set the Zoom meeting to send a copy of your Cloud recording to your My Media profile.
Mediasite is an audio/video streaming platform that enables users to record or upload audio and video files, edit them, and manage their viewing permissions for sharing. It is only available to employees through an Alamo Colleges network login.
Best uses for Mediasite include:
- Create a series of instructor-lead lectures, tutorials, or demonstrations
- Employee trainings
User Tip: Presentations must be set to "Everyone" in order for students to stream the content.
The Canvas LMS used by the Alamo Colleges District allows users to upload files to their Canvas profile, course, or course groups. Course file folders and individual media files can be locked so they can only be viewed by other users with a direct link, or they can be set to unlock on a specific date.
Best uses for Canvas files include:
- House a small series of short lectures or tutorials
- Record brief announcements, comments, or feedback for students
- Students can record/upload audio or videos that can only be visible to you (online assignment submission) or the whole class (discussions, pages)
User Tip: If you run out of space in your Canvas course, contact District Canvas Support at [email protected] for a one-time file storage increase.
Canvas Studio is a media tool that allows users to upload, create, edit, manage, share, and discuss audio and video files directly within Canvas without taking up storage space in their personal files or course files. Existing files can be used, or new ones can be created with Studio's capture and editing tools.
Best uses for Canvas Studio include:
- House series of longer lectures/tutorials without taking up valuable course or user storage space
- Use in-video quizzing to test students' comprehension of the materials, and automatically pass their scores back to the Canvas gradebook
- Students can record/upload audio or videos that can only be visible to you (online assignment submission) or the whole class (discussions, pages)
User Tip: A limited number of individual Canvas Studio licenses are available for use with instruction from District IT on a first-come, first-serve basis. License availability is not guaranteed every semester.
My Media (a.k.a. "New Mediasite") is an audio/video streaming platform that enables users to record or upload audio and video files, edit them, and manage their viewing permissions for sharing. This platform also allows users to create channels (or playlists) to organize their media files by class, topic, or activity and embed it directly within the Canvas course navigation menu. It is available to both employees and students through ACES login.
Best uses for My Media include:
- Instructor-led lectures, tutorials, or demonstrations
- Student presentations, reflections, creations, or collaborations
- Employee trainings
User Tip: Presentations can be set to "Only Shared Users" so only the users enrolled in the course can view the presentations from a link embedded or shared through the My Media LTI in Canvas.
Panopto is a secure video streaming platform that allows users to record or upload audio and video files, edit them within the browser or desktop app, and manage their viewing permissions for sharing. This platform also allows users to record their screen and create playlists to organize their media into folders.
The Canvas integration lets instructors easily share video playlists within the Canvas course navigation menu as well as create video assignments for students to view/answer in-video questions or upload their own content for a grade.
Embedding videos directly into Canvas items via the Rich Content Editor makes it easy for users to securely stream content within the course.
Best uses for Panopto include:
- House series of instructor-led lectures, tutorials, or demonstrations without taking up valuable course or user storage space in Canvas
- Create playlists that can be viewed within a Canvas course or external web URL
- Use in-video quizzing to test students' comprehension of the materials, and automatically pass their scores back to the Canvas gradebook
- Students can record/upload audio or videos that can only be visible to you (online assignment submission) or the whole class (discussions, pages)
User Tip: Organize videos into general folders, then "reference" them to individual course folders or playlists to create a unique set of viewer analytics where it's shared.
Comparison Criteria
The following criteria used to compare the various media streaming tools has been adapted from the Rubric for eLearning Tool Evaluation. This rubric was created by Lauren M. Anstey and Gavan P.L. Watson of Western University, and it offers educators a framework with criteria and levels of achievement to assess the suitability of an e-learning tool for their learners' needs and for their own learning outcomes and classroom context.
For more information about the Rubric for eLearning Tool Evaluation, see this article from the authors.
User Access and Ease of Use
Tool availability, accessibility, and technical support/help availability ensures users feel comfortable and competent with the media streaming services.
| Tool | YouTube | Microsoft Stream | Zoom | Mediasite | Canvas LMS (Files) | Canvas Studio | My Media | Panopto |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Who can use it |
Employees & Students* | Employees & Students^ | Employees & Students | Employees | Employees & Students | Employees & Students | Employees & Students | Employees & Students |
| License | Personal (Free) | Enterprise | Enterprise | Enterprise | Enterprise | Individual | Enterprise | Enterprise |
| Website | youtube.com | office365.com | alamo.zoom.us | Varies by campus | alamo.instructure.com | alamo.instructure.com | media.alamo.edu |
alamo.hosted.panopto.com |
| Login | Google credentials | Alamo e-mail & Office 365 password | ACES credentials | Campus network credentials | ACES credentials | ACES credentials | ACES credentials | ACES credentials |
| Technical Support | Google Support | - District IT Help Desk - Microsoft Support |
- District IT Help Desk - Zoom Support |
- District IT Help Desk - College IT Help Desk - Mediasite Support |
- District IT Help Desk - College Instructional Technology Support Center - Instructure Support |
- District IT Help Desk - College Instructional Technology Support Center - Instructure Support |
- District IT Help Desk - Mediasite Support |
- District IT Help Desk - College IT Help Desk - College Instructional Technology Support Center - Panopto Support |
| Product Accessibility Statement | Accessibility for Google Products | Accessibility for Microsoft Stream | Accessibility for Zoom Products | Accessibility for Mediasite Products | Accessibility for Instructure Products | Accessibility for Instructure Products | Accessibility for Mediasite Products |
Accessibility for Panopto |
|
Yes | Yes | Yes | No, but captioning is available upon request from the IT Help Desk | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
|
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
|
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
|
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
* Users who are 13-17 years old must have permission from a parent or legal guardian to create a YouTube/Google account.
^ Employees and students have separate Microsoft tenants and cannot view each others' content.
Technical Specifications
Supported media, file formats, file size/storage allotment, and media retention are important factors to consider if you plan to use the tool frequently and over an extended period of time.
| Tool | YouTube | Microsoft Stream | Zoom | Mediasite | Canvas LMS (Files) | Canvas Studio | My Media | Panopto |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supported Media | Video only | Video only | Video only | Audio & Video | Audio & Video | Audio & Video | Audio & Video | Audio & Video |
| Accepted File Formats | mp4 among others | mp4 among others | For download only: mp4 and m4a (audio) | mp3 and mp4, among others | mp3 and mp4, among others | mp3 and mp4, among others | mp3 and mp4, among others | mp3 and mp4, among others |
| File Size Limit | 256 GB or 12 hours, whichever is less | 50 GB | Unlimited | 5 GB | 500 MB | 1 GB | 5 GB | Unlimited |
| Storage Limit | Unlimited (for now) | 1 TB or 5,000 videos | Unlimited | Unlimited | 500 MB per course, 500 MB per group, and 1.1 GB per user |
10 GB per user | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Retention | Media does not expire unless the owner deletes the video or their account. |
Media does not expire unless the owner deletes the video, or the system administrator deletes the account (i.e., employee separates or student graduates, transfers, or leaves ACD). |
Zoom Cloud recordings will auto-delete after 150 days. |
Media does not expire unless the owner deletes the presentation, or the system administrator deletes the account (i.e., employee separates). |
Media does not expire unless the owner unpublishes or deletes the file. |
Media does not expire unless the owner revokes viewing access or deletes the file. |
Media does not expire unless the owner deletes the presentation; if there is less than 100 views one calendar year from the date of upload; or the system administrator deletes the account 150 days after an employee separates or a student graduates, transfers, or leaves ACD. | TBD |
Functionality
Functionality considers a tool's operations and the quality or suitability of these functions to the intended purpose.
| Tool | YouTube | Microsoft Stream | Zoom | Mediasite | Canvas LMS (Files) | Canvas Studio | My Media | Panopto |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capabilities | Upload supported files or record videos | Upload supported files or record videos | Record the screen, video, or audio | Upload supported files or record the screen, video, or audio | Upload supported files or record video or audio | Upload supported files or record the screen, video, or audio | Upload supported files or record the screen, video, or audio; import a copy of a Zoom Cloud recording | Upload supported files or record the screen, video, or audio; import a copy of a Zoom Cloud recording |
| Editing Tools | Trim start/middle/end; add blurring; add thumbnail image; upload/edit subtitles | Trim start/end; add thumbnail image; upload/edit subtitles | Trim start/end; edit transcript | Trim start/middle/end; add transitions and bookmarks; add thumbnail image; edit transcript | None | Trim start/middle/end; add transitions; overlay images, text, or arrows; hide/show your webcam or mouse cursor; highlight portions of the screen; edit thumbnail image; request/edit captions | Trim start/middle/end; add transitions and bookmarks; add thumbnail image; edit transcript | Trim start/middle/end; add chapters and web links and files to media; add thumbnail image; edit captions and chapters |
| Auto Captions | Yes | Yes | Yes | No, but captioning is available upon request from the IT Help Desk |
No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Playlist/Channel Creation | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes, and you can add a Course Channel to your Canvas course navigation menu | Yes, and you can enabled Panopto Course Videos to your Canvas course navigation for easy access |
| In-Video Quizzing | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes, with grade passback to the Canvas Gradebook | Yes | Yes; meet a viewing percentage or answer in-video questions to pass score back to the Canvas Gradebook |
| Viewer Analytics | Viewer is not identified, but you can see the total/unique views and duration watched. | Viewer is not identified, but you can see the total views. | Viewer is not identified, but you can see the total/unique views, duration watched, and total downloads. | Viewer is not identified, but you can see the total/unique views, date/time watched, and duration watched. | No analytics provided, although you can use course analytics to see who clicked on the file or viewed the item the media has been linked from. | Viewer is identified by name, and you can see their total/unique views, and duration watched. | Viewer is identified by their Canvas login ID, and you can see their total/unique views, date/time watched, and duration watched. | Viewer is identified by their name, and you can see their total/unique views, downloads, and duration watched. |
LMS and Mobile Operability
Learning experiences are strengthened when users can access a tool directly and consistently within our learning management system (LMS), especially if the tool allows for both embedding and integration through an application such as an LTI.
If a tool that can be accessed from an application made specifically for a mobile browser or device–and provides a consistent user experience from the desktop version–it will ensure students can interact with the tool regardless of the device they use to access their course.
| Tool | YouTube | Microsoft Stream | Zoom | Mediasite | Canvas LMS (Files) | Canvas Studio | My Media | Panopto |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canvas Integration | No LTI, but you can embed or hyperlink to the video on an external site. | No LTI, but you can embed or hyperlink to the video on an external site.^ | Yes, the LTI allows users to schedule/launch a session and watch/download Zoom Cloud recordings. | Yes, the LTI allows employees to connect to their Mediasite profile and embed or hyperlink to a presentation. | Full functionality. | Yes, the LTI allows users to launch the tool from the Canvas RCE or course navigation menu. | Yes, the LTI allows users to connect to their My Media profile and embed or hyperlink to a presentation. You can also create a Course Channel within the Canvas course navigation menu. | Yes, the LTI allows users to connect to Panopto profile and embed a presentation. You can also create a course playlist using the Panopto Course Videos link within the Canvas course navigation menu. |
| Mobile App | Record/upload videos and make edits | Record/upload videos and make edits | Record videos to the Zoom Cloud, or "Share Screen" | No mobile app, but you can access the tool through the Canvas mobile apps | Record/upload audio or video files from your device | No mobile app, but you can access the tool through the Canvas mobile apps | No mobile app, but you can access the tool through the Canvas mobile apps | Record/upload audio and video files from your device |
| Mobile Playback | View through a mobile browser or the YouTube mobile app | View through a mobile browser or the Microsoft Stream mobile app | View through a mobile browser or the Zoom mobile app | View through a mobile browser or the Canvas mobile apps | View through a mobile browser or the Canvas mobile apps | View through a mobile browser or the Canvas mobile apps | View through a mobile browser or the Canvas mobile apps | View through a mobile browser or the Panopto mobile app |
^ Employees and students have separate Microsoft tenants and cannot view each others' content.
Privacy, Data Protection, and Rights
While some media streaming tools offer numerous potential benefits for learners and instructors, they can also include risks. The primary criteria in this section relate to personal information that is collected by the tool as well as tips for protecting your intellectual property.
FERPA considers a video or audio class recording which includes students asking questions, making presentations, or leading a class–and it is possible to identify the student(s)–part of a student’s education record. Thus, it should only be viewable to the instructor and students enrolled in the course.
A FERPA compliance risk indicator has been assigned to each tool based on the potential for such audio/video files to be viewed by anyone outside of the class. Levels include:
- LOW – The presentation can only be accessed by users enrolled in the course.
- MEDIUM – The presentation’s viewing and sharing permissions are determined by the owner, but it can be limited to users enrolled in the course.
- HIGH – The presentation’s viewing and sharing permissions are determined by the owner, and it can be viewed by anyone with a direct hyperlink.
| Tool | YouTube | Microsoft Stream | Zoom | Mediasite | Canvas LMS (Files) | Canvas Studio | My Media | Panopto |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Privacy Policy | Google Privacy Policy | Microsoft Privacy Statement | Zoom Privacy Statement | Sonic Foundry Privacy Statement | Instructure Privacy Statement |
Instructure Privacy Statement |
Sonic Foundry Privacy Statement |
Panopto Privacy Policies |
|
Owner's Data |
Owner's name, birth date, gender, email, recovery email, phone number, and IP address | Owner's name, email, IP address, and web browser | Owner's name, email, phone number, and IP address | Owner's name, email, login ID, IP address, web browser, and operating system | Owner's name, email, login ID, IP address, and web browser | Owner's name, email, login ID, IP address, and web browser | Owner's name, email, login ID, IP address, web browser, and operating system | Owner's name, email, login ID, IP address, web browser, and operating system |
|
Audience's Data |
Viewer's geographic location, age, and gender | Viewer's name, email, IP address, and web browser | Viewer's IP address and geographic location | Viewer's IP address, web browser, and operating system | Viewer's name, email, login ID, IP address, and web browser | Viewer's name, email, login ID, IP address, and web browser | Viewer's login ID, IP address, web browser, and operating system | Viewer's name, email, and login ID, IP address, web browser, and operating system |
|
Viewing Permissions |
Owner sets visibility, and audience views presentation through a direct link or discovery. | Owner sets visibility, and authenticated users can view the presentation through a direct hyperlink or channel.^ | Owner sets visibility, and audience views Zoom Cloud recordings through Zoom LTI in Canvas or hyperlink to the video on an external site. | Owner sets visibility, and audience can view embedded presentations through the Mediasite app in Canvas or through a direct hyperlink to an external site. | Owner sets visibility except on media files uploaded to a Canvas assignment; audience views content within Canvas or downloads from the course. | Owner sets visibility, and audience views content within Canvas or downloads from the course. | Owner sets visibility, and audience can view embedded presentations through the My Media app in Canvas, the My Media Course Channel in the course navigation menu, or through a direct hyperlink to an external site. | Owner sets visibility, and audience can view embedded presentations through the Panopto app in Canvas, the Panopto Course Videos link in the course navigation menu, or through a direct hyperlink to an external site. |
|
FERPA Compliance Risk |
MEDIUM to HIGH | LOW to MEDIUM |
LOW to MEDIUM |
LOW to MEDIUM |
LOW to MEDIUM |
LOW to MEDIUM |
LOW to MEDIUM |
LOW to MEDIUM |
|
Intellectual Property |
Intellectual property is not guaranteed. | Intellectual property can be protected by creating user groups in Stream to limit your audience. | Host can protect intellectual property by prohibiting download of recording files from the Zoom Cloud. | To protect intellectual property, owner can prevent downloading of files, or embed presentation using the Mediasite app in the Canvas RCE. | Canvas files can be locked or hidden from users registered in the course to protect intellectual property. | To protect intellectual property, owner can restrict media download or revoke access to media. | To protect intellectual property, owner can prevent downloading of files, or embed presentation using the My Media app in the Canvas RCE. | To protect intellectual property, owner can prevent downloading of files, or embed presentation using the Panopto app in the Canvas RCE. |
^ Employees and students have separate Microsoft tenants and cannot view each others' content.
For technical assistance with media streaming tools supported by the Alamo Colleges District, visit your local instructional technology support center or contact [email protected].
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