CLAS

CLAS

CLAS logo

CLAS stands for Collaborate Learning Annotation System.

Collaborative Learning Annotation System (CLAS) is a specialized online media player for recording, sharing, annotating, and commenting on videos. Videos uploaded to CLAS are stored on a secure server at UBC and you are able to control who has access to which video. CLAS is also mobile compatible, so you can record videos and make comments directly from your mobile devices.

Visit clas.ubc.ca to learn more.

What is this tool for? | How do I get started? | Example Use Cases | Additional Resources | Similar Tools | Support Available

What is this tool for?

CLAS can be used as a self-reflection tool for Teacher Candidates in the practicum program. Teacher Candidates can record their practicum sessions, upload the videos to CLAS, review the videos and add comments to various times in the video, and even choose to share the video with their Faculty Advisors for additional comments.

CLAS has also been used to facilitate discussions on lecture videos. Students have access to lecture videos, then choose to comment on the video either privately (comments only visible to the student), or publicly (comments visible to everyone in the class). Detailed user documentation is available on CLAS’ website.

Highlights

  • Annotations can be recorded real-time at any point on the video.
  • You can allow non-UBC users to access CLAS and media within your course if uploaded through CLAS.
  • CLAS media player can also be embedded into Canvas discussion, assignments and discussions using the Rich Content Editor.

How do I get started?

What do I need to use CLAS?

On desktop:

  • The latest versions of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Apple Safari web browsers.
  • For Internet Explorer, upgrade to the latest version and ensure compatibility mode is turned off.

On mobile device:

  • For best compatibility, please use the latest version of Safari on the iOS device, or the latest version of Chrome on the Android device.

How can I go about getting a CLAS shell?

If you would like to start exploring with CLAS or implement it in your course, request a CLAS shell by filling out this form or send an email to ets.educ@ubc.ca outlining the purposeof creating your CLAS shell.

Where can I access CLAS?

You can log in to Faculty of Education CLAS with your Campus Wide Login. For other faculties, please go to the CLAS homepage.

Example Use Cases

Additional Resources

Similar Tools

  • Collaborate Ultra – for synchronous lectures/meetings and white board sharing
  • Zoom – for synchronous lectures/meetings with collaborative screen sharing annotations
  • H5P – interactive multimedia content that are not videos/li>

Support Available

Support for this tool is provided by Educational Technology Support.

Video Production Process


The video production process is equitable, transparent and streamlined. Available resources are equally distributed among the following units: DNSO, ECED, EDCP, ECPS, EDST, LLED, NITEP, ORE, TEO. Approval from the Unit Head is required before the video production project can begin.

There are a number of Do-It-Yourself options that do not require the Heads’ approval. Please take a look at these options below.

Furthermore, you only need to complete the Video Production Request if dedicated AV technician time is required to complete your video production task (e.g., record an event, film an interview, produce a promo video, edit existing footage, etc). If the request is to support the use of classroom equipment (provide orientation to the video conference equipment, set up the microphone, replace a burnt projector bulb, etc), it is not a video production task and the request can be sent directly to av.helpdesk@ubc.ca.

Video production request process:

  1. First, use the Video Production Time Estimator form to estimate the number of support hours required to complete your project. Then, completes the Video Production Request form and attach the estimate to the form.
  2. ETS provides initial consultation as well as offers DIY and centrally-funded options when appropriate.
  3. ETS forwards the request to the Unit Head with the project scope and the estimated required number of hours. The Unit Head then makes an informed decision whether the media production request should proceed or if it needs to be adjusted.
  4. Once the approval is received, the request is forwarded to UBC AV or UBC Studios who would contact you directly.

Do-It-Yourself options:

  1. One-button studio is a bookable space at UBC Studios for you to record with a pre-configured camera and microphone. This is a self-served space. [Sample recording]
  2. Lightboard studio is a bookable space at UBC Studios where you can record videos with a transparent “whiteboard”. This is a free, semi-supported space. [Sample recording]
  3. Your own computer can be a very good tool to create Khan Academy style videos. ETS can show you how to create them by using CaptureSpace or Camtasia. [Sample recording]
  4. Cameras and microphones can be borrowed from the Learning Commons to record your own footage. If you are including other individuals in your recording, be sure to acquire consent using this Media Release Form. For editing your media content, you can have the industry-standard Adobe Creative Cloud suite installed on your UBC computer to edit your media. To access the Adobe Creative Cloud, send a support ticket to UBC IT.


The Faculty of Education (FoE) Studio is s a multimedia production space located in the Neville Scarfe Building, Room 1009, in the Faculty of Education (FoE).

Its purpose is to provide FoE instructors and staff with an accessible and specialized space equipped with state of the art audio-visual equipment and professional assistance to create high-quality educational materials, videos, and podcasts. To learn more, visit the following link: FoE Studio

Mattermost

Mattermost logo

Team chat for teaching, learning, and community.

Mattermost is secure private messaging for courses, teams, and learning communities at UBC. It is an open source team chat technology similar to Slack or Microsoft Teams. It is a transformative communication and collaboration technology, combining threaded discussions with real-time chat in an intuitive and flexible way. Features like persistent history, advanced search capability, file sharing, typing status, mobile apps, and emoji reactions add up to a versatile tool that is still easy to use.

What is this tool for? | How do I get started? | Example Use Cases | Additional Resources | Similar Tools | Support Available

Mattermost users co-create a demo space.

What is this tool for?

Team chat is for anytime communication: any time, any device. Anytime doesn’t mean all the time. You set your availability and customize your own notification preferences.

Research shows how timely interactions with instructors, collaboration with classmates, and a sense of community can enhance teaching and learning. This is particularly important in an online learning environment. Team chat gives students a direct communication channel to their instructor and each other, helping them connect, ask questions, seek clarification, collaborate, and build community.

Mattermost is an example of a low-bandwidth high-immediacy tool. It facilitates synchronous interactions even if high speed internet is not available.

Mattermost is fully supported as a learning technology and is available for use in any credit course.

Highlights

  • Mattermost is CWL-authenticated and stays in sync with your classlist.
  • Mattermost is open source. UBC contributes to the codebase. We host it ourselves.
  • Mattermost is FIPPA compliant (it follows provincial privacy policy) and all data is stored in Canada.

How do I get started?

We suggest meeting with someone from our Learning Technology Support team who can orient you to the platform and ensure it will be beneficial to you. Ready?

Please note that this request form is only for Faculty of Education. If you are from another Faculty, go to the LT Hub Mattermost page to get started.

Use Cases and Evaluation Outcomes

Additional Resources

Similar Tools

  • Microsoft Teams (available in late August)
  • Slack (free plan is not FIPPA compliant)

Support Available

Support for this tool is provided by Educational Technology Support.

Zoom

Zoom logo

Meet with students in real time.

Zoom is a ​video/audio web-conferencing and collaboration tool that lets you meet with students in real time. ​Zoom is an alternative to Collaborate Ultra, if you need a tool to use outside of Canvas and/or one that can accommodate higher numbers of participants and the ability to see more video feeds at once.

What is this tool for? | How do I get started? | Additional Resources | Similar Tools | Support Available

What is this tool for?

Zoom is used as a virtual classroom tool. Zoom can facilitate lectures, office hours, breakout group work, presentations, oral exams or exam presence. This tool’s features include audio/video conferencing, screen sharing, live chat and breakout rooms for groups. Instructors can also record sessions making it a good option for presentations and lectures.

Highlights

  • Default Zoom rooms can hold up to 300 participants. (Can be increased upon request)
  • As of July 5, 2020, UBC’s institutional Zoom account transitioned to Canada-based hosting.
    • To remain FIPPA compliant, only use your UBC-provided Zoom account. Do not use your personal Zoom account. Students should not create accounts to participate as they will not be FIPPA compliant.
  • Zoom’s grid view allows you to view up to 49 participants per page.

How do I get started?

What do I need to use Zoom?

A Zoom account
Staff and faculty can request a free Zoom account by contacting av.helpdesk@ubc.ca

The Zoom desktop application
Download the Zoom desktop app

Audio Visual Equipment
To web conference, you will need a speaker setup, microphone and a webcam.

Additional Resources

Similar Tools

Support Available

Support for this tool is provided by Educational Technology Support.

Collaborate Ultra Transition Guide

Collaborate Ultra logo

Support online collaboration through virtual classrooms, meeting rooms and office hours.

Collaborate Ultra is a classroom-focused web-conferencing and collaboration tool that facilitates real-time meeting rooms. These meeting rooms are connected with Canvas courses, giving you and your students a space to meet virtually.

What is this tool for? | How do I get started? | Example Use Cases | Additional Resources | Similar Tools | Support Available

What is this tool for?

Blackboard Collaborate Ultra is virtual classroom tool that includes web conferencing, screen sharing, live chat and breakout rooms for groups. Optionally, sessions can be recorded, making it a good option for presentations and lectures. Collaborate Ultra’s features are emphasized for classroom engagement and interaction. The interactive whiteboard tool can be used by both teachers and students to share thoughts and ideas. Teachers can conduct live polls for their students to gauge student response. Students can ‘raise a virtual hand’ to call attention to the teacher. This tool is an alternative option to Zoom.

Highlights

  • The default Collaborate Ultra session can hold up to 250 participants. (Sessions can also be enabled to allow 250-500 participants with limited features.)
  • Powerpoint slides can be uploaded into the meeting room for later use.
  • Breakout rooms allow for small group peer discussions.
  • Hosted in Canada, FIPPA compliant.

How do I get started?

Example Use Cases

Additional Resources

Similar Tools

  • Zoom – another UBC supported web-conferencing tool

Support Available

Support for this tool is provided by Educational Technology Support.

Kaltura

Kaltura logo

Kaltura is a video hosting platform.

Hosted at UBC, you or your students can upload, share or record videos inside Canvas. It can be used in many places throughout a course, and videos can be used in multiple courses.

What is this tool for? | How do I get started? | Example Use Cases | Additional Resources | Similar Tools | Support Available

What is this tool for?

Fully integrated with Canvas, Kaltura allows you to upload, record and organize manage videos to share and reuse in your courses. Videos can be added anywhere in Canvas with a content editor, including Course Content, Discussion Forums, Announcements and Assignments! Students can also add videos, creating interesting possibilities such as asynchronous video discussion boards.

Highlights

  • Kaltura has unlimited data storage, so you can upload your lectures and other media and keep it secure.
  • Kaltura Capture supports screencast recording, so you can record your webcam and your screen at the same time (i.e. powerpoint slides)
  • Kaltura supports captioning for accessibility. You can request automated captions and quickly fix mistakes.

How do I get started?

What do I need to use Kaltura?

You will need to login using your Campus-Wide Login (CWL) into Canvas. You will need a Canvas course to access your My Media.

You can also log in to Kaltura outside of Canvas using the Teaching and Learning videos portal. The videos you upload and manage from this portal will still be accessible inside Canvas.

How do I add media to My Media?

Follow these steps or watch this video for a guide on how to upload to My Media.

You can upload videos by accessing the My Media tab, which can be found in your Canvas course on the navigation bar on the left.

    1. Go to My Media within the Course Navigation menu.
      • If you are unable to view the My Media tab:
        • Go to Settings within the Course Navigation menu
        • Select the Navigation tab
        • Find the My Media menu item, click the cog icon, and choose "Enable"
        • Choose Save to update the navigation menu
    2. Click Add New.
    3. Select Media Upload.
    4. Click Choose a file to upload.
    5. Select the file you wish to upload from the file manager.
    6. Select the proper permission from the Copyright Permissions drop-down menu (if it is a video you have created, you should select “With Permissions from the Copyright Holder”.
    7. Click Save.
      • The media will be saved as private by default

A screenshot of Kaltura Add New menu, highlighting the Media Upload function

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can also create your own recording using Kaltura Capture.

How do I publish the media to my courses?

For students of a course to see the media you have uploaded, you will have to publish it to a course.

How can I insert Kaltura media in my course content?

You can embed your uploaded media in any pages, discussion, announcement or assignment on your Canvas course using the Rich Content Editor.

Example Use Cases

  • Video Testimonial – Kaltura Overview (3:00)
  • Thanks to BCcampus for funding our Web Content Accessibility and Accessible Media projects. The Faculty of Education has been committed to providing accessible course materials since 2005. All the videos we produce for online and blended courses are captioned and accompanied with transcripts.
  • Video-based content is used in courses to provide students with a different type of engagement. MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) use videos as their main medium. Check out the Faculty of Education’s first MOOC on Reconciliation through Indigenous Education.

Additional Resources

Similar Tools

  • Camtasia – for more advanced and powerful video editing
  • Snagit – for screenshots and simple annotations
  • UBC Studios – for studio quality lecture recordings or more large scale projects
  • H5P – interactive multimedia content that are not videos

Support Available

Support for this tool is provided by Educational Technology Support.

Camtasia

Camtasia logo

Make and edit audio or video with this versatile multimedia tool.

Camtasia is a powerful video and audio recording tool available at no cost for UBC faculty, staff, and students. Camtasia allows for recording of your screen and/or your webcam, and has intuitive editing capabilities.

What is this tool for? | How do I get started? | Example Use Cases | Additional Resources | Similar Tools | Support Available

What is this tool for?

Camtasia can be used for one-take recordings or editing videos. You can record narration as you capture your screen, or separately. You can also mash-up and remix other footage together. Once you are done editing your video, you can upload it to Kaltura to make it available to your students. Make your media better produced using a versatile DIY media tool like Camtasia.

Highlights

  • PowerPoint slides can be integrated into Camtasia.
  • Recording can be paused at any time, or you can edit multiple takes together.
  • Using the Camtasia Editor, you can use overlays, cursors, and text to draw attention to specific areas.

How do I get started?

What do I need to use Camtasia?

See Camtasia's system requirements.
If you wish to do video & audio recording, you will require a webcam and microphone.

How do I get Camtasia on my computer?

  1. Log in to Canvas with your CWL.
  2. Click the Help menu on the left side of the page.
  3. Click the Software Distribution option.
  4. Select Camtasia from the menu.
  5. Choose your platform (Mac or Windows).
  6. Click the Add to cart button.
  7. Click the Proceed to Checkout button.
  8. Fill in your Contact Information.
  9. On the following page, note down the License Key because you will need it to complete the installation.
  10. Click the Proceed with Download button.
  11. Click the Download button and follow the instruction prompts to complete installation.

Example Use Cases

  • Video Testimonial – Camtasia Overview (3:29)
  • The Master’s degree program on Teaching French as a Second Language was developed in 2010. It is one of the first blended Master’s degree programs in the Faculty of Education. The students were distributed across Canada and the content was delivered in variety of ways. Instructors recorded some of their lectures using Camtasia.
  • Most of the videos in the Faculty of Education’s first Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on Reconciliation through Indigenous Education were created by the media production team. However, Camtasia was also used for recording weekly “Concluding Thoughts” by the instructor.

Additional Resources

Similar Tools

Support Available

Support for this tool is provided by Learning Design & Digital Innovation (LDDI) and UBC Studios.

UBC Studios
Book a meeting with UBC Studios for a training workshop or a customized sessions for your specific needs: ubc.studios@ubc.ca

Library Online Course Reserves

Canvas logo

Anything in the UBC Library collection can supplement your course.

Located within Canvas, the Library Online Course Reserves (LOCR) tool allows you to search for books, articles, and multimedia and provide direct access for students. Items outside the UBC Library collection can be requested for copyright clearance at no cost to you or your students.

What is this tool for? | How do I get started? | Example Use Cases | Additional Resources | Support Available

What is this tool for?

LOCR is used to give students access to anything from the UBC library collection. You can add items such as journal articles, books and media immediately (if part of the collection) into your course. Giving students access to material using LOCR will ensure proper copyright clearance.

Highlights

  • You can reactivate previous readings of a course for future offerings of the course.
  • The Syllabus Service provides instructors a full-service option to provide learning content to students by uploading their syllabus.
  • Item views can be tracked, including who has viewed an item.

How do I get started?

What do I need to use LOCR?

You will require a credit course to use LOCR. You can login to LOCR using your CWL.

How do I use the Syllabus Service?

  1. Log into LOCR with your CWL
  2. The upload button is located next to your course and below the Use Syllabus Service header

    3. A screenshot of the LOCR interface with the

  3. Upload a copy of your syllabus readings as a Word or PDF document

How do I do import items from a previous course?

If you have used electronic course reserves for another course, you can quickly import all your readings into a new course section. Go to your target course and go to the Add Reserve Items tab. Your previous and current courses will be listed at the bottom of the page. You can copy the entire list of course readings or select individual items to import. Please note that physical items such as books and PDFs requiring copyright clearance will need to be reprocessed.
A screenshot of LOCR's course user interface. Copy items into a new course by clicking the Copy Items button next to a course.

Example Use Cases

  • Video Testimonial – LOCR Overview (2:21)

    • Additional Resources

    Support Available

    The Education Library provides support for LOCR, please contact them at education.reserve@ubc.ca
    Educational Technology Support does not provide support for LOCR.

    UBC Blogs

    WordPress logo

    WordPress is the publishing platform behind UBC Blogs.

    While most commonly used for blogs, it can also serve as a public or private site for course content. WordPress can be integrated into Canvas or used on its own.

    What is this tool for? | How do I get started? | Example Use Cases | Additional Resources | Similar Tools | Support Available

    What is this tool for?

    UBC Blogs can be used to build a course website, allow group authoring on a blog, provide peer review of authored content (editing with comments), provide class webspace development (adding annotated links/building a shared resource for a class), and provide a personal portfolio for students, faculty and staff (upload media – slides, video, images of your artwork).

    Highlights

    • Content from CLAS, UBC Wiki or YouTube can be embedded in your blog
    • UBC Blogs has a Canvas integration, allowing you to populate all your students into a shared blog.
    • UBC Alumni are also able to use UBC Blogs.

    How do I get started?

    What do I need to use UBC Blogs?

    To get started on UBC Blogs you will need a valid CWL account, if you have this go to the sign-up page which will redirect you to CWL authentication. Once authorized you will be directed to the blogs sign up page. Enter a username and e-mail address. From here you can either choose to be a UBC Blog account holder or choose to create a blog.

    How do I start my blog in a Canvas course?

    1. Log in to your Canvas course.
    2. Go to Settings.
    3. Select the Navigation tab
    4. Scroll down until you find UBC Blogs.
    5. Click the gear and select Enable.

    How do I add a user to my blog?

    To add additional users to your blog go to your left side panel under Users->Add Users.

    You can add a list of emails (one per line). If the email is in the system they will be added to the blog and the user will be sent an invite notice. If the user is not in the system then they must sign up to UBC Blogs before they can be added. After the user confirms they have signed up for UBC Blogs a user invite can be sent.

    Please note that CWL numbers can not be used to invite users anymore, only valid UBC Blog emails.

    Example Use Cases

    Additional Resources

    Similar Tools

    Support Available

    Support for this tool is provided by Educational Technology Support and UBC Blogs Support

    UBC Blog Support

    Weekly WordPress Clinic

    Choosing Learning Technologies: Student Privacy + FIPPA

    What is FIPPA?

    An important consideration in the selection of Learning Technologies is student privacy, including the storage, access, and sharing of personal student information between systems.

    In British Columbia, FIPPA, the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, ensures through legislation that public bodies develop a privacy management program. Student private information must be protected, meaning stored for valid reasons and not shared without consent. Bill 22 – 2021, passed on November 25, 2021, brings significant amendments to FIPPA, including the possibility of storing personal information outside of Canada. This expands the possibility to leverage a broader set of tools and technology, however, at UBC all tools must go through a Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA), a risk management and compliance review process used to identify and address potential information privacy and security issues.

    UBC requires that all information about our students is gathered only through technologies that are part of our learning technology ecosystem, meaning technologies that have been officially approved after a Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA). If the use of another tool is required for a course, consent cannot be assumed by virtue of the student registering for the course.

    What is personal information?

    UBC defines personal information as “recorded information about an identifiable individual other than business contact information”. Even a student’s name and the fact that they are a UBC student is considered personal information. Learn more in the What is Personal Information Privacy Fact Sheet.

    How does this affect my teaching?

    All learning technologies supported by and implemented at UBC (e.g., Canvas, CLAS, Kaltura, etc.) have been officially approved after a Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) and identified as FIPPA compliant. 

    Many collaborative tools used in workplaces outside of UBC present potential information privacy and security issues, including Google Docs, Dropbox, Slack, Skype, and other tools.

    Students should not be required to share their personal information with these services as part of any course (including setting up an account), however, if these tools support your pedagogical and instructional goals and help your students to build key skills and literacies, the following practices are recommended for their use.

    1. Be transparent with your students on why you’re asking them to use these tools.
    2. Provide a boiler-plate notice on what the tool is and how it stores their data (sample provided below):
      Data used for TOOL NAME may not be protected, as this tool has not gone through a Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) and identified as FIPPA compliant. When you access the tool/site, you will be required to create an account. While TOOL NAME may have a privacy policy TOOL PRIVACY POLICY LINK, UBC cannot guarantee security of your private details on servers outside of Canada. Please exercise caution whenever providing personal information. You may wish to use a pseudonym to protect your privacy if you have concerns. Please feel free to contact UBC (access.and.privacy@ubc.ca) or TOOL NAME support team if you have any questions.
    3. According to CTLT (UBC’s Centre for Teaching, Learning, and Technology), one recommended approach to complying with FIPPA and encouraging student use of such tools is to suggest their use of a pseudonym or alias, a false name that a student can use to set up an account.
      • Cloud-based tools may be used under the following conditions:
        1. Inform students that one of the resources they will be using is located on cloud-based servers (ideally, in the course syllabus) and during the registration process (so students can take this into consideration before they register).
        2. Advise students that they are asked to provide consent to the storage of their personal information (typically their name and email address, but the fields must be specified in the instructions) on the system.
        3. If they are concerned about having their personal information stored in the cloud, then they can use an alias.
        4. If an alias is used, they will need to inform the instructor of the alias.
        5. The instructor must keep a record of the student’s choice to use a generic ID or alias

    *NOTE that students are fine to use these tools with their own private information, but this must be voluntary – the above boiler-plate phrasing reflects the opt-in nature of students sharing their information in this way.

    Alternative Tools

    Many tools in use outside of UBC may not be FIPPA compliant, but there are other tools that function in similar ways. Provided below are FIPPA-compliant alternatives for popular tools.

    Non-UBC Tool UBC Alternative
    Dropbox MS Teams, OneDrive, Canvas Files
    Gmail, Hotmail FASMail (student, staff, and faculty email)
    Survey Monkey Qualtrics
    Google Docs Microsoft Word / Microsoft Excel, Canvas Pages
    Slack MS Teams, Mattermost (additional fee per year per teaching member)
    Skype Zoom
    Youtube Kaltura

    Interested in doing a PIA for a tool you would like to use for teaching?

    Contact us at lddi.educ@ubc.ca and we’ll connect with UBC Privacy Matters to evaluate the possibility of conducting a PIA.

    Useful Resources

    UBC Access and Privacy Guide

    Student Privacy and Consent Guidelines (Centre for Teaching and Learning with Technology – UBC)

    Privacy Fact Sheet: Providing Personal Information Outside Canada

    Questions, comments, or concerns? Send us an email!

    Back to top