Now that the Blackboard (Bb) Ultra Video Studio system is available in Bb Ultra, there is no need to use an extra system to record, edit, and/or store course videos. The combination of the Bb Ultra Video Studio plus two tools available through our college Microsoft Office 365 license covers all but one of the Kaltura features. (See below for more details.)
Most instructors will use the Video Studio tool built into Bb Ultra. The simple “click-record-done” tool, which eliminates the need to use outside software, multiple tools, downloading, uploading, course building, etc., has been met with praise from instructors who want a simple process to include videos in their courses.
For instructors who want more flexibility in creating and editing videos before uploading them into their courses, there are two easy-to-use tools provided through the college’s Microsoft Office 365 license. (See below for more details.)
When the contract with Kaltura expires, FVTC will no longer have access to the Kaltura system or the videos stored in that system. You have several options regarding existing videos – including those you create in Kaltura between now and May 2025. (See next question regarding Bb Support Team help with downloading and saving.)
You may:
Yes. To request assistance, send an email to: online@fvtc.edu. The team will help you from there.
Yes. The Bb Support Team will make backup copies of all instructor-created videos that have been viewed at least once in the past two years. Note that student-created videos and videos that have not been viewed since December 31, 2022, will not be included in the backup copies. Anyone who would like backup copies of excluded videos is encouraged to download those videos to store them.
Instructions for uploading a video into Bb Ultra are attached. There is no size limit for video uploads in Bb Ultra.
The video recording tool in Bb Ultra currently does not have all the features Kaltura offers. However, through the college’s Microsoft Office 365 license, all instructors – including adjunct instructors – have free access to two easy-to-use tools for recording and editing videos: Stream and Clipchamp. To access those tools, click the “Create” button when you log into Office 365, then find the two tools. (Note: Beginning in January, the CIE plans to start offering multiple training courses focused on best practices for making and using videos, including step-by-step instructions for using Bb Ultra Video Studio and Microsoft Stream and Clipchamp.)
The only Kaltura feature that cannot be replaced at this time is the video quizzing feature. If you created video quizzes in Kaltura, those videos can be downloaded and reused, but they will not include the embedded questions. To achieve similar goals, the AI Design Assistant in Bb Ultra can create activities to accompany your course videos. Or, the Faculty Consultants in the Center for Instructional Excellence (CIE) would be happy to help you develop other options.