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Panopto Lecture Capture at SLU

Panopto allows Saint Louis University faculty to record an entire lecture in a lecture capture-enabled classroom or to record supplementary material outside of class for students to access online at their convenience.

Instructors can also allow students to create their own Panopto recordings for a course that can be visible to the whole class or just the instructor.

Students can record to a personal 'My Folder' as well.

Find Lecture Capture-Enabled Classrooms

About Lecture Capture-Enabled Classrooms

There are three types of lecture capture-enabled classrooms at SLU.

  • Audio-Only: An audio-only classroom is able to record content shown on the computer screen along with the instructor’s audio. The Panopto recording will show the classroom computer screen in the content frame (main window) and play instructor's audio along with computer content. The instructor has the option to choose a picture to display in the instructor video frame (upper left window) or leave the frame blank.
  • Audio and Video: An audio and video classroom is able to record content shown on the computer screen along with the audio and video of the instructor. The Panopto recording will show the classroom computer screen in the content frame (main window), video from the instructor's webcam in the instructor video frame (upper left window), and play instructor's audio at the same time. If the instructor chooses not to record their webcam video (or if a webcam is not available on the recording computer), the instructor video frame will show a picture the instructor chooses.
  • Audio and Document Camera: An audio and document camera (DocCam) classroom is able to record video captured by the document camera on the podium, content shown on the computer screen, and the instructor’s audio. The Panopto recording will show the classroom computer screen or video captured by the document camera in the content frame (main window), and play instructor's audio along with the content.

In lecture capture-enabled classrooms, the instructor's audio is recorded via a podium or lavalier microphone. Some rooms include multiple ceiling microphones so student questions can also be recorded. Only classrooms listed as "Audio and Video" include a webcam for capturing video in the classroom; generally, the webcam is pointed at the instructor podium.

The equipment in these classrooms (e.g., microphone, speakers, webcam) will also work with Zoom. Please note that it is always best practice to test Zoom in the room before the day of your meeting to familiarize yourself with the equipment in the room. When possible, schedule access to the room 15-30 minutes before the start of the meeting for setup.

If you wish to use Panopto or Zoom in a classroom that has not been configured yet, submit a request form.

Support for Panopto

ITS provides technical support for SLU faculty, staff, students and the lecture capture-enabled classrooms. Please contact the ITS Help Desk at 314-977-4000, ask@slu.edu or help.slu.edu.

To request assistance with copyright permissions for materials used in class, please consult the SLU Libraries. Information on copyright and fair use can be found on the SLU Libraries website.

For legal issues related to copyright and/or FERPA, contact the Office of the General Counsel at 314-977-2506.

What is required to create a Panopto recording?

If you are recording in a lecture capture-enabled classroom, the classroom computer and the microphone have already been set up. If you wish to create a recording on your own computer, you will first need to install the Panopto Recorder.

Your computer will also need a microphone connected for Panopto to capture your audio. Any standard headset works well, or you can also use a wireless lavalier microphone or even a room microphone.

All SLU users have ability to record in Panopto. Students can record in a personal 'My Folder' and faculty can record in class folders that are associated with Blackboard Learn courses. Videos in course folders can be easily shared with students enrolled in those courses.

How do I get the Panopto Recorder installed on my computer?

Instructions for PC

  • Classroom PCs should already have Panopto installed. If that is not the case, you can call 977-4000 to request that it be installed.
  • For SLU managed PCs that do not have Panopto installed, please contact the service desk at 314-977-4000
  • For personal PCs, go to slu.hosted.panopto.com and log in. There is a download Panopto link at the top right of the page. Click the link and select the correct version of Panopto for your PC.
  • Once Panopto is installed, a new Panopto shortcut will appear on your desktop. Click the shortcut and log into the Panopto recorder using your normal SLU ID and password.
  • Click the link to "Record a Class" at the top left corner of the screen.

Instructions for Mac

  • Open a browser and log in to slu.hosted.panopto.com.
  • Click the link to Download Recorder at the top right of the page and select the correct version of Panopto for your Mac.
  • Once installed the application will be in your Application folder. If you like, you can drag the icon to your dock for easy access.
  • Launch the Panopto recorder. Now you should see the link to Record a Class; click this link to make your first recording.

For more information you can search for Panopto at ask.slu.edu.

Do I need a Canvas course to create Panopto recordings?

No, but faculty that want to share their videos with a class do. Each Canvas course has a Panopto Video link, which may need to be enabled in the course navigation settings in order for students to see it. If you need assistance with moving old recordings to a current Canvas video folder, please contact facsupport@slu.edu. They can help with both Banner and non Banner courses or organizations.

Who owns my recorded lectures?

You do. As with all course materials you create for a class, the recorded lecture belongs to you. See the Intellectual Property section of the Faculty Manual for a statement of the policy.

You (as the instructor), not the University, make recorded lectures available to your students (and perhaps others). The University will not distribute your lectures to anyone else, though it will eventually remove them from the Panopto server, according to the retention policy

How long are recordings stored?

Panopto recordings are stored indefinitely on the Panopto servers.

What are some best practices for using Panopto?

1. Before you start, make sure that you:

  • Determine whether or not lecture capture is an appropriate choice for your purposes. This means identifying very clear goals for your lectures and class time and considering the ways you want students to use recorded lectures and how you will use class time.
  • Determine whether you have the time to prepare them consistently throughout the entire semester and identify any technology decisions you'll need to make. (Will you record in your classroom? Will you record in your office? Does your classroom have an automated lecture capture system/service?)
  • Attend to relevant copyright and University policies regarding LC (e.g., acquiring copyright clearance for materials and release forms from students if their questions and answers will be recorded and the LC will be shared beyond the current semester's classroom).
  • Determine whether you will want to re-use these lectures for later use in other courses (since this will determine how and what you capture).
  • Determine what format you want to make the file available in for students (either streaming or downloadable).

2. Once you decide to capture a lecture, make time to experiment with recording quality. Poor sound quality can make a recording unusable.

3. Make recordings available as soon as possible after a lecture, as well as right before an exam. If possible, annotate the recording to add emphasis and focus.

4. If you require students to listen to recordings before class time, provide them with content-related questions or other learning activities (such as applied problem solving, etc.). It can be very effective to assign tasks (e.g., activities based on the recorded lectures) to be handed in during class, which you will count in students' grades.

5. If you require students to listen to recordings before class, use the class time for problems solving, interactive activities, and other student-centered processes. Do not simply repeat content from the recorded lecture.

6. Provide detailed instructions for accessing and playing lectures at the beginning of the course, and make recordings accessible during the class, so students can make notes.

7. Evaluate the use and effectiveness of LC during and/or at the end of your course.