This page is for instructors, admins, and students that are currently using or actively planning to use 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.

Panopto Update 6/18/2025

Before attempting to use Panopto in Canvas again, please clear your browser cache and cookies.
Instructors, TAs, Support, and Canvas Admins: As a result of the upgrade, the Panopto tab in the course navigation has reverted to hidden by default and will need to be re-enabled in the course site. See directions to re-enable.

Finding and Enabling

Instructor/Admin

Getting Started

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.)
To record a video, you can access Panopto through Canvas, or go to https://northwestern.hosted.panopto.com.
- Feinberg users go to https://feinberg-northwestern.hosted.panopto.com
- Kellogg users go to https://kellogg-northwestern.hosted.panopto.com
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.
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:

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.
Click on Panopto in the course's left navigation.
Click the Create button.
Select the option to Upload media.
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.

Using Panopto for Video & Quizzing Assignments [NEW]

Panopto offers assignment options for student-made videos, video viewing, and in-video quizzing.

Student-made videos

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.

Review the instructor directions (pdf) to setup a Panopto video assignment (for screenshots, please review Panopto's instructor instructions).
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 (for screenshots, please review ).

Video Viewing Assignments

Instructors can create a Panopto video assignment in Canvas that reports a grade based on the percentage of the video that has been watched. This allows instructors to both see who has watched the video, as well as allow instructors to add the percentage of the video watched as scores to the users' grades in the Canvas course. Students can easily view the Panopto video through Canvas.

Review Panopto's instructions for How to Use a Panopto Quiz as a Canvas Assignment.

PLEASE NOTE: It is not advised to use videos with embedded quizzes for viewing assignments. Additionally, grades are not sent to Canvas until three hours after the user has started watching the video. As such, there is a delay between the time a user completes watching the video and when grades are sent.

Panopto Quiz as a Canvas Assignment

Instructors can create a Panopto video assignment that will report back in-video quiz results to the grade book.

Learn how to add quiz questions to Panopto videos.
Learn how to use a Panopto quiz as a Canvas assignment.

Student Information

Make sure to get clarification from your instructor regarding what type of video submission they are looking for.

For an Assignment, go to the relevant assignment in Canvas and click “Submit Assignment” to begin your submission.

For a Discussion, go to the relevant discussion in Canvas and click Reply to the prompt at the top, or scroll to the classmate’s post you wish to respond to and click Reply underneath it.

1. In the Text Entry box provided, click on the “More” icon [1] and then select the Panopto icon [2].

2. Upload a pre-recorded video file using the “Upload” option or record a new video file using the Panopto software by selecting the “Record” option.

3. Once your video is uploaded or recorded, click the Insert button.

4. Remember to hit “Submit Assignment” to complete the assignment.

Support

Instructor/Admin

Have questions or want to book a consultation to learn more about Panopto? Contact our support team at canvas@northwestern.edu.

Student

For more support. consult Panopto's instructions on How to Submit a Video Assignment or Panopto Support for Students.