LTSE Online Teaching Tools Mediasite Recorded Lectures Create Vodcasts and Podcasts

Create Vodcasts (MP4s) and Podcasts (MP3s)


Vodcast (downloadable MP4) or podcast (MP3)

Streaming video files is best practice, however, in circumstances where playback is causing an issue for students you may provide a downloadable file

COVID-19 Accessibility Advice

It is advised that PODcast (MP3) plus separately provided PowerPoint slides saved as PDF be used instead of VODcast. This greatly increases accessibility for students on unstable internet connections and results in less turn-around time.

  1. In My Mediasite Dashboard, find the video you would like to make downloadable and click on the linked title to open the presentation’s properties page
  2. In the right-side menu, click on the menu point Edit
  3. In the pop-out window ‘Edit Presentation’, under the video preview click the tab Delivery
  4. Create a MP4 downloadable file:
    • Tick the checkbox selection Vodcast, then click in the field where it says ‘Select a Vodcast Project’ and choose a vodcast project, there should only be one in the list
  5. **RECOMMENDED** Create a MP3 downloadable file:
    • Tick the checkbox selection Podcast then click in the field where it says ‘Select a Podcast Profile’ and choose your desired quality output
    • MP3's must be downloaded to your local computer and then re-uploaded to LearnJCU via the menu Build Content and then selecting Audio
  6. Click the blue button Save at the top-right and the system will begin to create the video/audio file (expect some time for this to complete)
  7. Once created links to the PODcasts and VODcasts will be added to the Presentation player. Students can find the link by clicking on the  ‘download icon’ on the Mediasite player. This shows a link in the browser they can right-click to Save video to their computer.

Streaming video files is the best practice, however, in circumstances where playback is causing an issue for students you may provide a downloadable file.

A few things to consider before doing this:

  • Try delivering the videos in smaller chunks as these can perform better on slower connections
  • More of your storage space will be used when creating Vodcast and Podcasts. As it will include the default versions; smooth-streaming and progressive MP4 (required for playback on iOS devices), as well as, the Vodcasts or Podcasts files
  • Once downloaded, videos can be easily distributed outside of JCU.

Quick find Mediasite guides

  • Web-editor (Mediasite's online video editor)
    • Accessing the Web-editor
    • Editing with the Web-editor
    • Top and tail (altering the start and finish of the video)
    • Remove video (have audio and slides only)
    • Adding/removing chapters
    • Editing slides