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Library Services for Faculty

Instructions, tips and help for faculty using GWC Library resources and services.

Instructions for Embedding Films in Canvas (* not Feature Films at this time)

What is Films on Demand?

Films on Demand offers a large collection of streaming, closed captioned, quality films from well-known producers. This database allows you to embed full-length films into your Canvas course without having to log in to it separately for both you and your students. Films on Demand is a streaming video database provided by the Golden West College Library.

Quick instructions:

Films on Demand is listed as an external tool in Canvas. 

  • From within a module, choose to add an external tool
  • Select Films on Demand
  • Type in the title of the film or some keywords
  • Click the embed link of the film or segment you want to add
  • Save and publish

Note about Accessibility:

Films are both closed captioned and have interactive transcripts. If the one you select does not have these features, please contact Alana Krause, Online Distance Education Librarian to request captioning.

Embedding Films on Demand within Canvas

Create or Edit any item in Canvas:

This can be any item that uses the Rich Content Editor (For example Announcements, Assignments, Pages, Quizzes, Discussions).

Note: Films on Demand is an 'external tool' in Canvas and can be used similarly to the TEDEd (TED Talks) and YouTube tools as shown here:

Select the 'Apps' button, which is the electrical plug icon on the toolbar:

  1. Click on the plug icon.
  2. Select 'Films on Demand' 

Click on plug icon in Canvas to find external apps

Films on Demand Search Box in Canvas:

Type in the title of the film or keywords.

Select the 'Embed' button to place the film into the Rich Content Editor:

You may also 'Preview' the film before embedding it. 'Embed medium' or Embed small' recommended. The option to view 'full screen' is available.

Find video, preview it, and embed small or medium

The embedded film will look like this until you 'SAVE' or 'SAVE & PUBLISH':

Film in Canvas before Save or Save & Publish

Here is what a saved 'Page' will look like:

  1. Title you created for Canvas item (this example is a 'page' - it could also be an Announcement, Assignment, Discussion or Quiz).
  2. Any text added by you (directions, explanation, etc.)
  3. Full or segment title of the embedded film.
  4. Running time of full film or segment.
  5. Toggle closed captioning.
  6. Toggle fullscreen (press 'Esc' key to return to Canvas course location) OR cast to another screen (Chromecast, for example).

Film published in Canvas

Video Tutorial: Embedding Films on Demand

Additional Films on Demand Help for Faculty

Resources from the publisher, Infobase: 

Additional advanced features:

Available if faculty wish to create a "MyFilms" Infobase account, for example creating playlists and custom segments.

For further information or for scheduling individual appointments please contact:

Alana Krause, Online Distance Education Librarian.

Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License unless noted otherwise .