Embedding video using File in Moodle

What does the File resource do?

A Moodle File is an easy way to upload any type of file including video files to Moodle for your students. They can choose to watch it online in Moodle or download to watch it later. The video will auto-play in Moodle but students will need an appropriate player to watch the downloaded video.

NOTE: Maximum video size supported by Moodle File is 250 MB. If your video size exceeded this limit, please refer to the following guidelines to embed your videos in Moodle.

  1. Uploading video to YouTube

  2. Embedding YouTube video in Moodle

  3. Embedding Relay or Compass video in Moodle

Adding a Video

Step 1

Before you can make any changes to your Moodle site content you must first enable editing. To do this, click on the Turn editing on button located at the top right of the page.

Enable Editing button

Step 2

With editing enabled, you will see in each topic the following link:

Add an activity or resource button

Step 3

Follow the link and make your selection from the menu. In most cases, relevant helpful information is shown on the right.

Select File from the list and click Add. The General settings will appear.

Select "File" and "Add"

You must enter a Name, however, adding a Description is optional – if you do, you can choose whether to display the description on the course page by checking the Display description box.

Add a new File

Step 4

To attach a video to upload, click on the Add... icon .

Attach a video with Add button

This will display the File picker window. Alternatively you can drag and drop your video into the select file area.

Step 5

Select "Upload a file" from the list on the left. Now click on "Choose file". This will display the familiar file upload window. Select your video and click on "Open". You will then be returned to the previous File picker window where you will see your selected video attached.

Choose and upload a video file

Now click on "Upload this file."

Step 6

You should now see that your video has been added and is shown in the Select files area.

Immediately below the Content section is the Appearance section, which allows you to configure how the video will be displayed when selected.

The Display option has the following choices:

  • Automatic – the best display option for the video is selected automatically

  • Embed – the video is displayed within the page below the navigation bar together with the video description and any blocks

  • Force download – the user is prompted to download the video

  • Open – only the video is displayed in the browser window

  • In pop-up – the video is displayed in a new browser window without menus or an address bar

  • In frame – the video is displayed within a frame below the navigation bar and video description

  • New window – the video is displayed in a new browser window with menus and an address bar

How a video is displayed is down to personal preference, but for most cases we recommend leaving this setting at the default of "New Window".

Select setting at the default of "New Window"

Step 7

When you are finished, click on Save and return to course.

Save and return to course button