Included in today’s edition:
Closed Caption Videos
- Using Studio
- Using YouTube
Upcoming Professional Development
- Accelerated Courses
- UDoIt (for Canvas Courses)
- Summer Mini Teaching, Learning, & Technology Conference
Closed Caption Videos – Canvas Studio
As part of our commitment to accessible teaching and learning, we’re excited to share an update that makes video captioning in Instructure’s Studio more seamless than ever.
🎥 What’s New:
Studio now automatically generates and publishes captions for any videos you upload directly into the platform.
You no longer need to take the extra step of publishing captions—they’ll appear by default.
✅ Want to make edits to those captions?
No problem—you can still review, revise, and republish captions if needed for clarity or accuracy.
📺 Using YouTube Videos?
Here’s what you need to know:
- If you bring a YouTube video into Studio, you will need to upload a caption file manually.
o Tip: You can copy the video’s transcript and paste it into a captioning file format (like .srt or .vtt) before uploading.
- If you embed a YouTube video using the Rich Content Editor (RCE) instead of Studio, the captions provided on YouTube will be available through the video’s settings.
Closed Caption Videos – YouTube
✅ How to Add Closed Captions in YouTube
- Upload your video to your YouTube channel.
- Go to YouTube Studio (studio.youtube.com).
- In the left menu, click “Subtitles.”
- Click the video you want to work with.
- Under the “Subtitles” column, click “Add” next to your preferred language.
- Choose one of these options:
- Auto-Sync: Paste in your full transcript, and YouTube will match the text to the video’s audio.
- Type Manually: Listen and type captions as you go.
- Upload File: Upload a caption file (.srt or .vtt formats work best).
📌 YouTube will also often auto-generate captions, which you can then review and edit for accuracy.
🔁 Why This Matters
Closed captions help all learners—including those with hearing impairments, English language learners, and students who prefer to watch videos without sound. It’s a small step with a big impact.
Professional Development Opportunities
New Lunch & Learn Webinar Series: Accelerate, Engage, Inspire
Planning and Implementing Successful Shortened Sessions
Whether you’ve enthusiastically embraced accelerated sessions or are approaching them with trepidation, join us at the Accelerate, Engage, Inspire: Planning and Implementing Successful Shortened Sessions virtual lunch and learn series. The sessions explore the benefits and challenges of shortened sessions, selecting and planning courses, supporting and engaging students, and measuring success.
This series is open to all VCCS faculty, staff, and administrators. Attend some or all of the sessions.
Dates & Times:
All sessions will be held via Zoom from 12:00 – 1:00 pm.
- Apr 23: Cutting the Fat, Keeping the Content: Streamlining Your Course for an 8-Week Term (intended audience: faculty)
- May 14: Supporting Student Performance in Accelerated Classes
- May 28: Brightpoint’s Pilot of the 7-week Semester Model
- June 11: Revolutionizing the Academic Calendar: A Review of ECTC’s 8-Week Advantage (intended audience: staff, administrators)
- June 25: Building an Accelerated Session: Instructional Design and Development
Register to attend sessions via Zoom
UDoIt Webinar
Attending a UDoIt webinar offers faculty a unique opportunity to explore a powerful, free, open-source tool designed to enhance the accessibility and usability of their online courses. By participating, faculty can learn how to ensure that all students, including those with disabilities, have equitable access to course content. The webinar provides practical insights, hands-on demonstrations, and expert guidance, empowering faculty to create more inclusive and engaging learning environments. Don’t miss this chance to elevate your teaching practices and support student success!
April 30, 2025 @ 2pm
Register for this session
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Learning, Teaching & Technology Mini-conference 2025
SAVE THE DATE: June 27, 2025 9-4 (lunch included)
Virginia Western Community College, Roanoke, Virginia
“The Craft of Connection: Teaching in a Digital Age”
Join faculty colleagues from across the region for a one-day exploration of meaningful, modern teaching.
This year’s conference celebrates the evolving craft of teaching in an age where connection matters more than ever, whether face-to-face or through a screen. Expect dynamic keynotes, interactive breakout sessions and the chance to engage with tools, techniques, and ideas that elevate both teaching and learning.
Got a great idea or a classroom strategy that’s working? We want to hear from you.
Stay tuned for submission info and registration details.
Hosted by: Virginia Western Office of Online Learning and Instructional Technology (OLIT) in partnership with Central Virginia Community and Mountain Gateway Community College
Questions? Contact Dr. Carrie Halpin at chalpin@virginiawestern.edu