Important:

The guidance on this page is about Microsoft Stream (Classic) which has been replaced by Stream (on SharePoint). Stream (Classic) is no longer used to store T&L video content or Teams meeting recordings.

Transition from Stream (Classic) to YuJa:

All video content for T&L in 2022/23 and beyond, which would previously have been made available to students via Stream (Classic), should be made available using the University’s new Learning Capture system, called YuJa. For more information please view our guide on “Transitioning from Stream (Classic) to YuJa“.

Transition from Stream (Classic) to Stream (on SharePoint)

From 10th July 2022 onward, Teams Meetings recordings will be automatically saved on SharePoint. Recordings can be found in “Recordings folder” created either in “OneDrive” or corresponding “Teams Channel” depending on how the meeting was created. By default recordings are set to expire after 90 days. But if you need to keep the recording for longer, please consider updating the expiry date of your recording. For more information please visit “Stream on SharePoint” page.

 TELTip: Help students better engage with your recordings. Learn more “Creating better screencasts“.

What is Microsoft Stream?

Stream is a video streaming platform from Microsoft. It is available to all staff and students at the University through your Office365 account. Sign in to Stream at https://web.microsoftstream.com

Stream has been the approved platform for video content at the University of Reading for the 2020/21 and 2021/22 academic years.

Teaching and Learning video content for 2022/23 onwards should be stored in Yuja.

Stream Groups will not be created for Blackboard courses in 2022/23, and Stream should not be used for new Teaching and Learning content after 10th July 2022.

For updates check the TEL website.

You can use Stream to upload, store, play and share videos you have created (much like YouTube, but restricted to University of Reading staff and students).

You can upload most video file formats – see Video file formats accepted by Stream.

Advantages of using Stream over Blackboard for video content

• Unlike Blackboard, Stream is a dedicated video streaming service with features for managing and playing videos (like YouTube).
• It is easier for students to play videos in Stream, via a web browser or the Stream app.
  • Large video files in Blackboard can take a long time to load for students.
  • Some file types – including PowerPoint presentations – can’t be viewed inside Blackboard and have to be downloaded. Downloading large files can take a long time and may even time-out in some situations or might use up a student’s monthly download data allowance.
• Uploading large video files to Blackboard (or PowerPoint with embedded audio/video) uses up the University’s limited storage allowance, and can cause performance issues; Stream has a generous storage allowance.
• Stream can automatically generate a transcript / captions of your video for improved accessibility.

See also Good practice when sharing screencasts with students.

Controlling access to your videos

When uploading to Stream, you can control access to your video using the following permission settings:

• Only visible to you.
• To specific people you name.
• To a Group – this equates with the members of a specific Microsoft Team or Blackboard course.
• To a Channel – a collection of videos which you can share with one or more Groups.
• To everyone – staff and students within the University.

You cannot make Stream videos visible to people who do not have a University account.

Videos should normally be shared only with Groups or Channels or individuals – not made visible to the entire organisation.

To view screenshots of these settings go to ‘Setting Permissions‘.

Sharing videos with your students

You can share video content with your students via a Blackboard Course.

For details see MS Stream: How to Add Permissions for a Blackboard Module

It will usually be best to embed videos in a content area of your course, alongside other related learning activities.

You can get a link or an embed code, and paste this into your Blackboard course. See Embed A Video in Blackboard.

The link/embed code will only allow permitted viewers to access the video, so you will need to set permissions on the video to allow access by the Group linked to your Blackboard course.

Uploading Video Content

The most common ways you will upload content is from a narrated Power Point, a Teams Meeting recording or from video content you have created yourself. Go to Upload Video Content to view the steps for each method.

Page last updated on July 27, 2022 by Asif Muhammad