DLE - Choosing an Audio or Video Recording Tool

The Digital Learning Environment (DLE) supports a variety of audio and video recording tools for instructors at University of Wisconsin System (UWS) institutions. Because there are so many choices, instructors sometimes have trouble choosing the right recording tool for any given task. This guide will help point instructors to the right tools for their needs.

Planning Your Recording

Before you choose your recording tool, make a plan. What are your goals for the video or audio recording? What does your audience need to see or hear? How much content do you have? What hardware do you have available? How dependable is your Internet connection?
 
Next, think about what you want to say. Write a script or an outline. If your script or outline looks like it will be more than about 10 minutes,  break it up into shorter chunks, each focused on a single topic. Short chunks allow students to jump straight to the topics they need, and they make your recordings easier to deal with if students have poor or spotty internet connections. 
 
Finally, see the Kaltura - Video Tips for Better Recording guide for tool-agnostic tips on preparing for your recording, getting good quality video, getting good quality audio, and post-production editing and captioning.

The Tools

Now you're ready to choose a recording tool. The following tools are enterprise offerings available to all UWS instructors through the DLE or Office 365. Individual institutions may offer additional video or audio recording options.

PowerPoint with Voiceover

Notes

  • Built directly into Office 365
  • Mac or PC
  • No time limit
  • Easy to update recordings

Support Materials

Kaltura Webcam Recorder

Notes

  • Browser-based; no software

  • Webcam and audio, not screen recording

  • 10-minute time limit recommended. Can do longer.

Support Materials

Kaltura MediaSpace Go

Notes

  • iOS/Android app

  • Record and upload video and audio from phone or tablet

Support Materials

Kaltura Capture

Notes

  • Screen, webcam and audio recording
  • Mac or PC
  • recommend i5 processor or better with 4GB of free ram with all applications open.
  • 20 minute or less recommended. Can do longer.
    Important: Do not log off until upload is complete

Support Materials

Zoom

Notes

  • Online meeting tool with a recording feature.
  • Good for recording multiple people in different places
  • Recording link opens in new tab; can't embed directly in page
  • Recordins can't be edited without exporting
  • Recordings hosted on Zoom servers for 120 days. For longer retention, export to Kaltura (above)

Support Materials

Canvas Media Recording

Notes

  • Recording tool built into Canvas
  • Webcam and audio only. No screen recording.
  • 15 minutes or less recommended.

Support Materials

Recording While Online

When creating video and audio as an instructor, consider whether you will create the content directly over the internet or record locally (offline) and upload the content after recording.

Instructors with a stable internet connection can choose from several recording tools based on their goals and available hardware.

Recommended recording tools based on instructional needs and device type
Instructional need Computer with microphone
(no camera)		 Computer with microphone and camera Smartphone or tablet
Do students need to see your face or a physical activity?
  • Not possible without a camera
Do students need to see content (slides or documents) and hear your voice?
Do students only need to hear your voice?
Do students need to see you demonstrate a software application?

Recording While Offline

If an instructor wants to create a video or audio recording locally (without an internet connection) and then upload it to Canvas, there are fewer recording tools available. Recommendations depend on the instructor’s recording goals and the hardware they have available.

Offline recording recommendations based on instructional needs and available devices
Instructional need Computer with microphone (no camera) Computer with microphone and camera Smartphone or tablet
Do students need to see your face or a physical activity? Record locally, then upload the video to Kaltura or upload directly to Canvas. Record locally, then upload the video to Kaltura or upload the video to Canvas . Record locally, then upload the video to Kaltura or upload the video to Canvas .
Do students need to see slides or other content and hear your voice? Create a PowerPoint with voiceover . Not recommended for offline recording with this setup. Record locally, then upload the video to Kaltura or upload the video to Canvas .
Do students need to hear your voice only? Create a PowerPoint with voiceover . Create a PowerPoint with voiceover . Record locally, then upload the audio or video to Kaltura or upload to Canvas .

Keywords:
av, media, audio, video, recorder, screencast, lecture capture, Kaltura, Blackboard, Ultra, Media Space, Mediaspace, PowerPoint, Online, Recording tools, Voice-over, Remote
Doc ID:
99087
Owned by:
Jason Z. in UWSA DLE
Created:
2020-03-18
Updated:
2026-04-01
Sites:
UW Parkside, UW Stout, UW System Administration DLE, UW-La Crosse