Panopto & Video Recording

Panopto is a video capture and management tool available in all Canvas course sites. Panopto is used to record live lectures in specially equipped classrooms and also provides a desktop app that instructors and students can use to record video presentations that may include webcam, audio, screen-sharing, and PowerPoint presentation streams.

Panopto includes:

  • video editing tools
  • in-video quizzing
  • time-stamped discussions
  • watch statistics and analytics
  • unlimited video storage

Access the asynchronous Introductory Panopto training in the Canvas Learning Center.

Getting Started 

  1. For instructors & TAs: Panopto is integrated into every Canvas course but hidden by default. To enable Panopto:
    • Go to your Canvas course.
    • Click on Settings in the left navigation.
    • Select the Navigation tab.
    • Drag Panopto from the hidden section at the bottom to the visible section at the top.
    • Click the blue Save button at the bottom of the page. (Note: Kellogg and Feinberg users will see a specific instance of Panopto for their schools.)
  2. To record a video, you can access Panopto through Canvas, or go to https://northwestern.hosted.panopto.com Links to an external site..
  3. Click on the purple “Sign In” button in the top right corner, change the drop-down option next to “Sign in using” to NU ADFS, and then log in with your NetID and password when redirected to the Northwestern Online Passport page. 
  4. To begin recording or to upload content,  download and install the Panopto Desktop App from the top right corner of the page under your name.
    • Mobile apps for phones and tablets are available through Google Play or the App Store. 

Storing & Sharing Videos in Canvas with Panopto

Panopto is optimal for sharing video files in Canvas with students. Videos stored in Panopto do not count against your Canvas course file storage quota.

To store videos in Panopto:

  1. Navigate to your Canvas course and make Panopto visible in the left navigation by going into Settings > Navigation, moving it out from the hidden area, and clicking the blue Save button at the bottom of the page.
  2. Click on Panopto in the course's left navigation.
  3. Click the Create button.
  4. Select the option to Upload media.
  5. Select the media files to add from your device.

Videos will be stored in the course's Panopto folder and will be available to students enrolled in the course. 

Rental Kits

Portable Panopto kits are available to check out from the main circulation desk at the University Library (Evanston campus). Each kit includes everything needed to produce a Panopto recording for either PC or Mac, as well as a helpful guide to get you started. All you need to make them work is a single available USB port on your machine and a valid Wildcard for the 3-day loan. 

Each kit includes:

  • USB Web Camera
  • Mini Tripod
  • USB Lapel Mic 
  • USB Headsets 
  • USB 3.0 4-port Hub with power supply 
  • USB-C USB 3.0 4-port Hub with USB-C power supply 
  • USB Presenter’s slide advancer 

Using Panopto for Video Assignments

You can use Panopto to accept student video submissions through Canvas. Using Panopto assignments allows you to view and download the student submissions directly from the SpeedGrader in Canvas. 

  1. Review the instructor directions Download Review the instructor directions to setup a Panopto video assignment. 
  2. Once the Panopto video assignment has been setup in the course, provide your students with the directions on how to submit a video assignment in Canvas Links to an external site..