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How do I add media to the Editor?

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The media icons

You can add several (external) media types to the HTML editor. For example, you can add images, videofiles and audiofiles. You can also add links to other Brightspace components, or to an external source.

There are three buttons on the left hand side of the top bar. These buttons can be used to add different types of media to the Editor.

  • Insert Stuff: add an image, video file, audio file or link to an external source (like Google Drive, Slideshare and so forth).  You can also use this button to add media from Kaltura, add links, or record a video with your webcam which you can add to the Editor.
  • Insert Quicklink: add a link to a part of the course in Brightspace or an external source.
  • Insert Image: add an image from your computer, somewhere else in Brightspace, or from the internet.

Insert Stuff

Insert Stuff can be used to add video and audio files from your computer, somewhere else in Brightspace, from Kaltura, or from an external source. It also allows you to easily record and add a video message.

  • Click Insert Stuff.

You can add files to a (sub)module by using Upload Files or by using Insert Stuff in the Editor. To do this you click Upload/Create and then Create a File in the desired (sub)module rather than Upload Files. The difference between these two is that Create a File lets you create a text page/web page where you link files to a text. If you use Upload Files the topic will not be a text, but the file you upload. The best way thus depends on the way in which you want to display your file(s).

You can now choose from which place you want to add video or audio files:

  • Click My Computer to search for a file on your computer and add it.
    • You can upload the file by:
      1. Drag and drop: drag the file within the dotted lines and drop it or;
      2. Upload: Click Upload (within the dotted lines) and choose the right file.
    • Click Upload (at the bottom of the pop-up) to save the file.
    • You will see a mention that says that the files will be saved in Manage Files.
    • Change the settings if needed and click on Insert.
  • Click Course Offering Files to search for a file that you have used somewhere else in your Brightspace course and add it to the Editor.
    • Search for the specific component in the file structure of your Brightspace course and select it.
    • Click Next.
    • Change the settings if needed and click on Insert.
  • Click Video Note to record and add a video message.
  • Click Video Note Search to find a previously recorded video message and add it.
    • Fill in one or several keywords in Search Notes and click Search.
    • Select the video you want to add.
    • Click Next and after that Insert.
  • Click Media Library to add a file from your Media Library.
  • Click Insert Link to add a link to an external video (for example, something from YouTube).
    • Paste the URL in the text box and click Next.
    • Change the settings if needed and click Insert.
  • Click Enter Embed Code to embed an external video in your message (You can, for example, use an embed code instead of an direct link to a YouTube video. The message will now include a video that you can watch from Brightspace instead of a link to YouTube. You can also use the embed code to link to Slideshare). Note that embedded external videos will not be saved to Brightspace as it remains an external source.
    • Paste the embed code in the text box and click Next for a preview.
    • Click Insert.
  • Click Add Kaltura Media to add a video from Kaltura.

Add a video from Kaltura

  • Click Insert Stuff.
  • Click Add Kaltura Media.
  • Click Select next to the video you want to add.
  • You will go the next screen, which will show you a preview of the video. Click Insert to add the video.
  • Then click Save and Close.

Do you want to learn more about Kaltura? Please read the article How do I add media to Kaltura?

Record a video message

  • You will need a computer with a webcam and/or microphone if you want to record a video or audio message. It might also be necessary to give permission to Brightspace in your browser so you can use your webcam and/or microphone. A pop-up message will automatically appear if this permission is needed.
  • Do you only want to record audio? This is also possible without connecting a webcam.
  • Click Insert Stuff.
  • Click Video Note.
  1. Click New Recording. You will see the footage you are recording on the small screen. Stop the recording by clicking End Recording.
  2. You can also add a file from your computer instead of recording a new video by clicking Upload File.
  3. Click Next.
  1. Add a title.
  2. Add a description.
  3. Click Next.
  1. You will see a preview of your video. Click Refresh Preview if you see the message above to load and watch the preview.
  2. Click Insert.
  • Click Save and Close.

Add an existing video message

  • Click Insert Stuff.
  • Click Video Note Search.
  1. Use the search bar to enter the title of your video message.
  2. Click Search. By clicking Search without adding a search term you will get an overview of all saved video recordings.
  3. Select the video message.
  4. Click Next.
  • Click Insert to add the existing video message. Then click Save and Close.

Insert an existing video message

  • Click Insert Stuff.
  • Click Video Note Search.
  1. Use the search bar to enter the title of your video message.
  2. Click Search.  If you click Search without entering a search term, then you will get an overview of all recorded and saved video messages.
  3. Select the preferred video message.
  4. Click Next.
  • Click Insert to add the existing video messge. Then click Save and Close. 

Add a file from your Media Library

With the Media Library you can insert a video file you've uploaded directly to Brightspace or a Video Note you recorded before into your text.


  • Click Insert Stuff.
  • Click Media Library.

It seems as if your Media Library is empty.

  1. Type a space in the search bar or fill in (a part of) the title of the file you want to add;
  2. Click Search.
  • Select the file you want to add and click Next.
  • Click Insert.
  • Add text if needed and click Save and Close.

Insert Image

You can add images via both Insert Stuff and Insert Image. The latter will only include options that are relevant for uploading images and is therefore easier to use.

  • Click Insert Image.
  • Click My Computer to search for a file on your computer and add it.
    • Click Choose File/Bestand kiezen to search for the file in the file structure of your computer.
    • Click Add.
    • Add an alternative text if needed and click OK.
  • Click Course Offering Files to search for a file that you have used somewhere else in your Brightspace course (or one that you have not used yet, but is located in Manage Files) and add it to the Editor.
    • Search for the specific component in the file structure of your Brightspace course and select it.
    • Click Add.
    • Add an alternative text if needed and click OK.
  • Click on URL to add a link to an external image.

The downside of using a link to an external source is that the link in your course will no longer work if the external link is altered. 

  • After adding the image you can change it, for example by turning it 90 degrees, when you select the image.
  • Then click Save and Close.

Settings

When you are adding a file you will sometimes get the option to change some settings. These settings include the inclusion of a link text, and alternative text, and the ability to change the aspect ratio of a video or image. These settings will show up when you are adding a file from your computer (My Computer), from Brightspace (Course Offering Files) or when adding a link (Insert Link).

  • Link Text: this is the text that is in your message and will link to the video or image.
  • Alternative Text: this is the text that will appear if the image cannot be displayed due to, for instance, a slow internet connection. This is also important for partially sighted users. You can add a short description of the image here. You can check the box This image is decorative if the image does not include any (relevant) information. Note that when adding an image, the only option is adding an alternative text. When you add an image using Insert Link (meaning the URL of the image) you can add both an alternative text and a link text.
  • Lock aspect ratio: this will keep the standard settings regarding the size of the video or image.
  • Width: adjust the width of a video or image.
  • Height: adjust the height of a video or image.
  • Auto Start: choose this option if you want a video to start playing automatically. Note that you will only be able to use this option if you upload a video from your computer.

Click on Refresh Preview if you want to preview any changes.

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