Canvas File Storage
Introduction
If you have reached the 2GB course storage limit, please contact the Learning Technology Solutions support office.
Avoid Uploading Large File Types
Instructors should avoid uploading the file types listed below directly into Canvas courses.
- Audio (mp3, mp4, wav)
- Compressed files (zip, rar, tar.gz, bz2)
- Computer executables (iso, exe)
- Image (tif/tiff, bmp, jpg, xif, heif, psd, svg, eps)
- Interactive assets (swf, flv)
- Narrated or media-rich PowerPoint (ppt, pptx, pps, ppm, ppsx, key)
- Video (wmv, avi, mp4, m4v, mov)
Use Panopto, Echo360, or Studio for Video Content
It is recommended to use Panopto, Echo360, and Studio to create, edit and integrate video content to Canvas courses.
- These tools enable instructors to add active learning activities, accessibility features and are optimized for streaming and mobile viewing.
- These tools allow instructors to make videos public, private to only UIC students and instructors, or limited to only the students in a course.
- These platforms integrate with Zoom so recordings saved to the Zoom cloud can be easily uploaded to Canvas and to an instructor’s Panopto or Echo360 account.
Use Cloud Storage Services
It is best practice to use the flexibility and size capacity of UIC-managed cloud storage services to host large files.
- Instructors have access to cloud storage services, including Google Drive, Box and OneDrive.
- Files uploaded to cloud storage services can be linked to your Canvas course instead of the file being directly uploaded to Canvas. Files linked to your Canvas course from a cloud service do not use storage quota.
- This will also not store copies of the same file every time you copy your Canvas course, and you can modify files on your desktop computer by syncing them to the cloud storage tool of your choice.
Video File Do's & Don'ts
1
Don’t upload the video file directly in Canvas, as you would with a word doc or pdf file.
Do upload videos to Panopto or Echo360 and embed or place a link in Canvas in any content area so your students can access the video in the context of your instruction.
Don’t request students to upload video files as part of a Canvas Assignment.
Do create an assignment that allows students to upload a video via Panopto in Canvas. You can also use Echo360 to handle video assignments while keeping those videos protected.
Don’t record an hour-long lecture.
Do scaffold students’ learning by recording short (5 minutes or less) video segments with a clear concept or topic and check for understanding. Checking mastery of a concept using non-graded quizzes is a great way to let students try. If you plan to reuse your videos, using Canvas is the best solution because if you create quizzes in Panopto, you will need to relink the quiz manually each time you use the video.
2
Don’t forget to check videos for universal design and that they are formatted for accessibility. Reference the Accessible Teaching and Accommodations Guide
Do add closed-captioning to your videos.
How to Check Course Storage in Canvas
To check the storage quota of your course, on the Canvas course navigation menu:
- Go to the Course Navigation Menu
- Select Course “Files”
Total course storage will be displayed at the bottom of the page:
- Scroll down
- Look at the bottom right corner for storage