Overview
The following options provide detailed instructions on how to embed YouTube videos in Canvas effectively.
Considerations
- To meet accessibility standards, we recommend reviewing YouTube captions for accuracy. If a video's captions are significantly inaccurate, it may be best to choose an alternative video with ADA-compliant captions or upload the video to MyMedia so captions can be generated and edited.
- There are several ways to embed YouTube videos into Canvas, each with its own pros and cons. If you'd like help choosing the best option, contact an Instructional Designer at CETL by emailing CETL@uwec.edu.
- In both methods detailed below, closed captions are accessible in the embedded YouTube player. Video viewing statistics of the video are not available within Canvas.
Methods
Using YouTube Embed Code
The following instructions demonstrate how to find the embed code for a YouTube video and embed the video in Canvas using the embed tool. Although this method will require a few extra clicks, it allows a user to use YouTube’s Privacy Enhanced option, which "prevents views of embedded YouTube content from influencing the viewer's personal browsing experience."
Get the Embed Code from YouTube:
- Go to the YouTube video you want to embed.
- Click on the "Share" button below the video and select "Embed".
- Check the box for "Enable privacy-enhanced mode."
Clicking this embed option ensures user data is not tracked by YouTube. - Copy the embed code provided.
Embed the Video in Canvas:
- Navigate to the Canvas page, assignment, or discussion where you want to add the video.
- Click on the "Edit" button.
- In the Rich Content Editor, click the Embed (looks like a cloud) button.
Note: You may need to click the three dots to expand the toolbar to locate the Embed button. - Paste the embed code into the pop-up displayed.
- Click "Save" to embed the video.
Using YouTube App Integration
This method requires fewer clicks to embed a YouTube video in Canvas, but does not offer any type of privacy controls.
- Navigate to the page, assignment, or discussion where you want to add the video.
- Click on the "Edit" button to access the Rich Content Editor.
- Click on the "Apps" button (represented by a plug icon) in the Rich Content Editor toolbar.
The Apps button is the 15th button from the right in the Rich Content Editor. - Select "YouTube" from the list of available apps.
- Paste the desired URL of the YouTube video into the search box.
NOTE: Typing the name of the video can result in faulty search results. It is recommended to search YouTube first and then paste the desired video URL into the search box in the YouTube Canvas integration.
Paste the URL into the search box provided. - Click "Embed" and select the desired size of the video.
To the right of the video name, the embed button dropdown will allow you to select a video size. - The video will be inserted into the Canvas element.
Still need help?
If you have questions related to this article, please contact the LTS Help Desk at 715-836-5711 or helpdesk@uwec.edu.