Moodle – Video

How can I integrate video into Moodle?

Video is an incredibly powerful tool in Moodle. Video can be uploaded from a range of sources whether directly from YouTube or using the File in Moodle. For more information on uploading your own files to YouTube, please see this article here.

Adding video directly from YouTube

Step 1

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

Edit button activated in Moodle

Step 2

Navigate to YouTube and copy (Ctrl+C) the URL from the top of the page

Youtube video with URL highlighted

Step 3

Go back to your Moodle page and with editing enabled, you will see in each topic the following button:

Add an activity or resource button in Moodle

Step 4

Click the Label icon from the list to add - this will embed the video into your Moodle page for students to see it as they visit the site. You can find more information about labels by clicking "Explore this tool".

Resource browser in Moodle, label highlighted

Step 5

In the Label text field, paste (Crtl+V) the YouTube URL to the field.

Adding a new label settings page, with YouTube URL highlighted in the Label text field

Step 6

Scroll to the bottom of the page and click "Save and return to course".

Save and return to course button in Moodle

Moodle will automatically convert the URL into an embedded video, which will appear in the module main page, under the week where it was added.

Youtube video embedded in a Moodle label

Adding video using Files

Step 1

If you want to add a video file you have on your device - turn on editing and select add an activity or resource (as in steps 1 & 3, above). Then click on the file icon to add your video file.

Add an activity or resource menu in Moodle with File tool selected.

Step 2

Enter a name for your file under the General settings. You can also add a description and expected study time here. You can choose to display the description on the the module home page by clicking on "Display description on course page".

Screenshot of General settings for adding a new file in Moodle

Step 3

Now select your video file in the Select files section. The quickest way is to drag and drop your file into the page.

Alternatively, click the add icon to search for your file. If you are uploading it from your computer, ensure Upload a file is selected, then click Choose file. Browse your folders until you find the correct video and click open. You also have the option here to rename the file, add authors or choose a licence. When you are done, click Upload this file.

'Select files' settings in Moodle with drag and drop area highlighted
File picker settings in Moodle, with 'Choose file' and 'Upload this file' highlighted.

Step 4

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

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

The Display option has the following choices:

  • Automatic – the best display option for the file type is selected automatically

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

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

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

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

How a file is displayed is down to personal preference, but for most cases we recommend leaving this setting at the default of Automatic.

Appearance settings for files in Moodle

Step 5

When you have finished, click on the Save and return to course button.

Save and return to course button in Moodle