CETL: Faculty Online Learning Technology FAQ

How do I log in to VidGrid for the first time to activate my account?

Go to https://app.vidgrid.com/login/sso/ecok-edu.
Log in with your ECU credentials.

 

How do I manually upload a file to VidGrid?

Just click the plus sign next to the Record option, and drag and drop your files.

How do I record a video in Vidgrid?

1. Click the record button (see image in above answer).
2. If this is the first time you're using VidGrid to record, it will ask you to download the VidGrid Screen Recorder, which is an app for your computer that lets you record your webcam and desktop through VidGrid.
3. Once the Screen Recorder opens, it will have the following display, along with a resizable window that shows what will be captured in your recording.
   
   1. The microphone icon allows you to select which audio input device you are using to record audio.
   2. The webcam icon allows you to select between Webcam Only Mode, None (screenshot only) or to select a specific webcam (which gives you a screenshot with a small "picture in picture" display of your webcam).
   3. The record button allows you to start recording.
   4. The icon showing a box will automatically size your capture window to the entire screen.
   5. The gear icon is the options.
4. Once you get your video and audio settings how you want them, click the record button and you'll receive a quick countdown, after which you can begin recording.
5. Once you are in record mode, your VidGrid interface will take on different functions and a new appearance.
   
   1. The paintbrush icon lets you draw on your screen.
   2. The webcam icon, as before, allows you to change between webcam, screen, and a mix of the two.
   3. The pause button lets you pause recording without ending the recording. Use this to bring new things into frame or change your view without showing the transition. Think of it as in-camera editing.
   4. The trashcan icon with an X can be used to end and discard the current recording.
   5. The checkmark ends the recording and brings up a small window to name your new recording before uploading it to VidGrid.

How can I embed VidGrid videos in Blackboard?

1. From a Blackboard item, click "Mashups".
2. Click "VidGrid".
   
3. Select the video you want to embed.
4. Click the checkmark button under your video.
   
5. It is now embedded in the item! Save it, if you just want the object to be a video embed, or add context, with the video icon and dotted line box showing you where the video embed will be placed in the item.

What do I do if the file I just recorded or uploaded isn't showing up in VidGrid?

Follow the steps here: https://help.vidgrid.com/en/articles/2554533-recovering-your-video-if-it-didn-t-auto-upload

How do I organize files in VidGrid?

You can use folders to keep your files organized.

1. Click the Plus Icon next to record and select “New Folder”.
2. Type in the name for your folder.
3. Click “Add Folder”.
4. You can now drag and drop files into this folder to keep them organized.
    

How do I change a video’s thumbnail?

1. Open VidGrid and click the menu in the top-right of a video.
2. Select “Manage Thumbnail”.
3. Drag and drop whatever image file you’d like to use as the video’s thumbnail.
4. For more info on creating your own graphics, please contact William Crowell in CETL.

How do I caption a video for VidGrid?

1. Open the video you want captioned.
2. Click the “CC” button under the video to open the Captions Dashboard.
   
3. You should get a popup reading “Sorry, no captions could be found. Request or Upload.”
   
4. Click the “Request” button (or upload the caption file if you have one already).
5. In the popup that appears, click “Machine Caption”, then select “Request”.
   
6. Depending on the length of your video, it could take up to several hours to get your video captioned, but you can keep track with the progress bar that will show up in the Caption Dashboard if you enter it later.
7. Whenever your video is captioned, you will receive an email in your ECU account with the subject heading: “English captions for your video have been completed”. It will have a link to the video your captions have been done for.
8. Once these captions are done, please review them for accuracy. Speech-to-text software is prone to mistakes, especially with proper nouns and technical jargon, so please go over your transcripts and correct any typos by clicking the “Edit” button (pencil icon below).
   
9. The caption file can be downloaded by selecting the Download icon (underlined arrow above).

How can I be sure my students have watched a video?

1. Go to the video you want to collect student data on in VidGrid.
2. Click the “Permission Options” button (the globe shown below)
   
3. When the options come up, select “Only team members on my account”. 
4. The video will now only let students view it, which prevents anonymous views being recorded.

Can I link videos outside of the ECU system?

Using the above permissions system, select the option "Anyone with a link."

Where can I learn more about VidGrid?

The VidGrid Knowledge Base can be found here: https://help.vidgrid.com/en/collections/1476620-how-to-use-vidgrid. If it doesn't answer your question, please reach out to William or Wendy.