MMU Video Resource FAQs

I want to create a screencast

You can use any media creating software at your disposal

Here are few suggestions some of these can be found on MMU computers

  • MMU licenced software BB flashback
  • PPT for slide capture
  • Screen Recorder in Moodle and mmutube
  • Hand held devices for videos

Should I use Moodle or mmutube to upload

You can use both. Moodle Kaltura plugin method is quick and easy to make your media files available to your students but mmutube (http://mmutube.mmu.ac.uk) offer many more options to integrate in your teaching and student learning and it is recommended that you explore these options.

I have a screencast that I need to make available to my students - upload via Moodle

The easiest method is to use the Moodle video\audio activity\resource option. You can also upload via mmutube (http://mmutube.mmu.ac.uk) which offer many other option that you might find useful in your teaching and student learning.

Which media file formats can I upload?

MMU Video resource offers many media file formats that you can upload. The recommended ones that you should use are the more commonly available formats like the MOV, AVI, WMV, MP3 but you can upload MP4, FLV, WMA, WAV, MTS and many more. If you cannot upload a particular file format then try converting to the one you can and then see if this will work for you.

I have an audio file – upload via mmutube

The easiest method is to use the Moodle video\audio activity\resource option. You can also upload via mmutube which offer many other option that you might find useful in your teaching and student learning.

What is Video Assignment in Add an Activity in Moodle?

Video\Audio assignment is becoming increasingly popular with tutors. You can create a video\audio assignment activity in Moodle for your students. Student creates a video\Audio and uploads to the video\audio assignment in Moodle. The videos are stored on MMU Video Resource platform.

This method is the preferred method as oppose to using the ‘assignment’ activity, which takes up tremendous Moodle Resources in terms of data storage and has a restriction of 100MB upload only. Use this activity only for small text\pdf based assignment.

Moodle only allows maximum of 100MB for upload whereas MMU video Resource allows up to 2GB of upload.

If you are setting up a video\audio assignment for a very large group then it is prudent to set some guidelines for your students for their upload.

The Title and Description field are where students can type in their required information. You can consider the following suggestions as required information from your students - they include their UserID, Full name, Title of assignment, other details if working in a group. Any information that would help identify their upload if need be.

Will my screencast play on tablets and Smart Phones?

Yes, but best played whilst connected to MMU Wi-Fi or your own personal ISP. Playing media files consumes lots of data so be aware of your data tariffs.

What is the difference between Public, MMU-Only, MMU-campus and Unlisted Galleries on mmutube.

There are time when you want to showcase a recording to the world or restricted to MMU Students and Staff and these galleries are an ideal place for you to publish your work. Below you will find info on how these galleries work and instructions on publishing in anyone of them.

You only need to publish it in anyone of the galleries.

  • If you want anyone to see your video then publish it in Public
  • If you want to restrict your video to MMU staff and Student then publish in mmu-only, this will require the users to login using MMU userid and password.
  • If you want your video to be restricted so that it only plays on MMU PCs and Wi-Fi (IP restricted) then publish it in MMU-campus only.
  • Unlisted is a link that you can send out to your selective audience. Anyone who has this link will be able to see your video.

How can I make my screencast public?

  1. Go to http://mmutube.mmu.ac.uk
  2. Login to mmutube
  3. Go to My Media
  4. Select your Media that has been uploaded
  5. Click on Actions
  6. Select +Publish
  7. Click on Publish
  8. And select Public
  9. Save

How can I make my screencast MMU-only?

  1. Go to http://mmutube.mmu.ac.uk
  2. Login to mmutube
  3. Go to My Media
  4. Select your Media that has been uploaded
  5. Click on Actions
  6. Select +Publish
  7. Click on Publish
  8. And select MMU-only
  9. Save

How can I make my screencast MMU-campus

  1. Go to http://mmutube.mmu.ac.uk
  2. Login to mmutube
  3. Go to My Media
  4. Select your Media that has been uploaded
  5. Click on Actions
  6. Select +Publish
  7. Click on Publish
  8. And select MMU-campus
  9. Save

How can I create an unlisted link?

  1. Go to http://mmutube.mmu.ac.uk
  2. Login to mmutube
  3. Go to My Media
  4. Select your Media that has been uploaded
  5. Click on Actions
  6. Select +Publish
  7. Click on Unlisted
  8. Save
  9. Go back to My Media
  10. Click on the media you made it unlisted.
  11. Click on Share
  12. Copy the URL and share with your audience, via Moodle or by email.

How can I attach a YouTube Video

There are times when you may want to share a resource that is uploaded on YouTube. Mmutube allows attachment of YouTube video and make it visible on mmutube.

Please check that the video you want to share is a shareable resource and does not have any copyright legal requirement.

This option can be very valuable if you are in a cross collaboration with other education establishments colleagues sharing each other resources.

  • Login to mmutube – http://mmutube.mmu.ac.uk
  • Select Add New - YouTube
  • Copy and Paste your youtube link and save.
  • Publish it in any one of the three gallery, Public, mmu-only or mmu-campus.

No, your media file will still be available on the MMU Resource platform, unless you specifically login to http://mmutube.mmu.ac.uk and select your media file for deletion.

How can I delete by screencast from the system?

Login to http://mmutube.mmu.ac.uk

Select your media file for deletion from My Media

Please note: once you delete your media file from mmutube, you will not be able to undo. You will have to find your media file from your locally saved copy and re-upload to MMU Video Resource.

Creating playlists in mmutube

This document explain how to create and manage your playlists.

Are there any user guide?

In Moodle under Staff Resource Area there is an area called Podcasting@MMU where you can find some guide to help you using the MMU video resource.

File Size Restriction.

You can upload a file size up to 2GB. Please note that uploading large files will take time to upload and transcode. Its recommended that if there are large files to upload then its best carried out at work place. In addition, consideration should be given whether there is a need to upload such large files, where your students will be accessing from ie. Wi-Fi, personal ISPs, on handheld devices etc.

Attach a pdf to a video

mmutube offers an option to attach a pdf file to your media file. This can be a valuable resource in your teaching, re-enforcing student learning, adding activities, quizzes, further research, distance learning etc. You can use this option in so many ways and plan your teaching with the content of your screencast for your students.

  1. Go to http://mmutube.mmu.ac.uk
  2. Login to mmutube
  3. Go to My Media
  4. Scroll down to your Media file and click on edit
  5. Select Attachment tab
  6. Click on upload File
  7. Click on +Select File and navigate to your pdf and click on open
  8. Fill in the Title and Description
  9. Save

Can I see analytics of my videos?

You can track analytics on some general metrics of your media file such as Visits, Plays and view drop off percentage, Avg View Time.

  1. Go to http://mmutube.mmu.ac.uk
  2. Login to mmutube
  3. Go to My Media
  4. Click on the media file you want to view analytic.
  5. Click on Actions
  6. Select Analytics

Can I get student to download my videos?

Yes, you are in control of your media file that you upload to MMU Video Resource. If you want your students to download the media file for them to work offline then you can add a download option to your media file.

  1. Go to http://mmutube.mmu.ac.uk
  2. Login to mmutube
  3. Go to My Media
  4. Click on Edit
  5. Select the Download tab
  6. Select one of the available formats you want your students to download
  7. Save
  8. Go back to My Media
  9. Select your media file (LHS square box)
  10. Click on Action and select Publish
  11. Select Unlisted
  12. Save
  13. Go to My Media
  14. Click on your Media file
  15. Click Share
  16. Copy and Paste the link into your Moodle as a resource.

Please Note: Students will need to login to mmutube to see the download tab.

Can I upload my screencast from Home?

Yes, you can upload screencast from anywhere that has an internet connection but not recommended for large size files. Please be aware of your ISP upload speed and other factors that would slow the upload process. Our recommendation is that whenever it’s possible that you use MMU workplace to upload your media files as the internet speed is much better.

If I upload screencast when will it be available for students to view?

In most uploads your media file would be processed and available to your students in less than 30min.

Will my screencast play on smart devices?

MMU Video Resource has been tested on many different devices for compatibility with success but there are times when a device with older OS will cause play problem. There are other reasons that would also stop a media file being played such as your data tariff with your Internet Service Provider when you’re on the move and large files that may affect this too.

Staff has left, can we transfer the media files to another staff.

Yes, contact helpline on ext. 4646 and log a support call and someone will get in touch with you for more information before the change in ownership is made.

Can I upload from my mobile devices?

Yes, down load Kaltura Mediaspace app for your iOS or Android device. You can connect with various cloud storage service like Dropbox and Google drive.

Here is a guide to help you get started - Kaltura MediaSpace App

Widescreen Recording and Player Sizes.

Widescreen format has become the norm with users. All MMU PC \Laptops have widescreen. The smart devices also has look and feel of widescreen. There are so many different widescreen sizes available from one monitor to another, and different brands and sizes of tablets and handheld devices.

When you record a PowerPoint presentation start of your layout set to widescreen option usually has a 16:9 associated with the size.

In PowerPoint you can start your new layout by going to Design and selecting Slide Size, Widescreen (16:9)

If you are using recording software to screen capture then find the appropriate settings in the software to custom design your widescreen.

Here are few popular dimensions widescreen setting you can experiment with when you want to screen capture.

Small - 640x360

Standard - 800x450

Large - 960x540 or 1024x576

Very Large - 1280x720