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Student Upload

Students can upload coursework or assessments to Mediacentral and then link to their Moodle module.

This page describes how a student can upload video or audio content to Mediacentral and then share with others.

For full access, and to upload, you must log in to Mediacentral to use any of the additional library features, other than view.ÌýYou login automatically by clicking the login icon at the top right of the page. The login screen prompts for your ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº user name and password. This is the same password you use for accessing other ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº IT systems like Moodle.

To login use the âžœ icon on the right-hand side of the bannerÌý:

Login to MC image

This opens the login screen andÌýprompts for your ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº user name and password, please enter them here.ÌýYou shouldÌýnote that login can take up to 20 seconds, please be patient.

Username_Password Image

Uploading a File

Ensure your file is no bigger thanÌý5Gb, if you are unsure or need to downsize your file, please inform the team via theÌýPortal.

Screenshot of Upload panel
  • Click onÌýUpload on the site toolbar, that's the big arrow at the top of the page.
  • When a new window opens, click Browse to select the file from your computer.
  • Please be aware that content recorded on some older mobile devices produce a file thatÌýis incompatible with modern browsers, so always ensure your file is one of the supported versions. The popular allowable file types areÌý.mov,Ìýmp4 or .wmv
  • When you have added your file, aÌýprogress bar appears while the media uploads.
  • Once the upload completes to 100%, click Next to enter the media details.

Details and Required fields

On the details screen inÌýthe upload wizard, you need to add information aboutÌýthe media file:

Screenshot of the Details panel showing example text

The required and mandatory fields are:

  • Title
  • Category
  • Description
  • Email address
  • Disclaimer checkbox, here you agree to the Terms of Use.

Although addingÌýTagsÌýis not mandatory, we suggest that you add some information which, relates to your video, this makes it easier for users to search and find your video. If you add a unique tag, this will allow a user to see all your media files.

For students, aÌýtutor may suggest a using particular unique tag for your work, this method isÌýuseful for students whenÌýthey are submittingÌýassessed work, e.g.ÌýModule Name/Year.


Category

This function allows levels of access. Mediacentral is set up for users to share their content and to promote ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº to the wider world. However, for student uploads that are going to be assessed we recommend that you use:

  • °Õ³ó±ðÌýPersonal (Public)ÌýcategoryÌýhides your video from anyone elseÌýin the Media centralÌýportal, but you can Share the link with others to view.
  • For students,Ìýthis works really well if you wishÌýto share your mediaÌýwith a tutor, especially if your work is going to be assessed, or if you are not readyÌýto go to full Public Access.
  • You may see a unique category e.g.ÌýInstitute of EducationÌýwhen you are uploading or editing your content. Please do not choose these, unless you have been advised to do so, they are there for the content which has been previously defined as sensitive, or has some specific restriction to that Faculty or Department.

Thumbnails

The thumbnails screen presents eight thumbnails extracted from a video.

  • Click a thumbnail to use it as the media preview on the library home page.Ìý
  • If there is a category thumbnail, you can check that box to use that generic thumbnail instead.Ìý
  • Alternatively, you can add your own thumbnail image. Click on theÌýBrowseÌýbutton to find your image on your computer and Mediacentral will use this.
  • For best results use an imagesized at 640px x 360px and formatted to either .jpg, .png or .gif.Ìý
  • If the file is audio-only, an icon of a film reel is used in place of thumbnails. Ideally, you should add a personal thumbnail image for all audio files.

Associated Files and file formats

The use of associated files has been enabled. You can add a Captions file created outside of Mediacentral. ÌýYou can also attach up to three additional files, such as a transcript or perhaps the PowerPoint file shown in your video, or a link to a URL.

To add additional files which, support your video then you need to type text in theÌýTitleÌýbox. The text should relate to the file you are adding.

The allowed file types are displayed above the title box, as seen below:

.doc, .docx, .ppt, .pptx, .xls, .xlsx, .pdf, .swf,.jpg, .gif, .htm, .txt, .zip, .mp3

Screenshot of Associated Files panel

Then click onÌýBrowseÌýto add the Associated File form your computer. Once the file has uploaded, click onÌýNext.


Upload Confirmation

The confirmation screen shows the media details. If you need to change the upload properties, use the tabs at the top of the wizard. Once all of the information is correct, clickÌýFinishÌýon the confirmation screen. This submits your mediaÌýto the encoder and takes you to your media content page, where you can preview the media once it has processed, as well as manage your media uploads.

Screenshot showing the details and confirm panel

Tip:ÌýPlease note that your file joins a queue for transcoding and sometimes, especially during busy periodsÌýthis may take time to process - you should always allow 8 hours to guarantee your file has been fully processed and available.

MediacentralÌýtranscodes yourÌýfile into threeÌýstreaming formats which will allowÌýdistributionÌýto different devices in an appropriate manner and depending upon a viewer's network connectivity.

Your media content page indicatesÌýthe progress of videoÌýtranscoding in percentage termsÌýuntil theÌýprocess has finished. Once the video has been processed you will receive an email confirming the file has successfully uploaded to the systemÌýand is available in Mediacentral.

Should for some reason your uploadÌýfail, you will receive an email explaining what to do. Always try to upload from a desktop or laptop computer. Uploading from a mobile device is possible, but is totallyÌýdependant upon your mobile provider systems. we recommend that you never upload a large file using your mobile unless connected to a good WiFi signal.