Microsoft Clipchamp is a video creation, editing, and playback tool available to University of Toronto instructors through Microsoft 365. Instructors can use Clipchamp to record demonstrations, create short instructional explanations, edit existing recordings, add captions, and prepare videos for students to review.
Clipchamp combines video editing tools with the Microsoft 365 video playback experience previously associated with Microsoft Stream. Videos are stored and shared through OneDrive or SharePoint.
Getting Started with Microsoft Clipchamp
U of T instructors can access Clipchamp through Microsoft 365 using their University account. Clipchamp can be accessed through the Microsoft 365 app launcher, supported web browsers, or the Windows desktop application, depending on the available configuration.
Clipchamp provides two related experiences:
- Video editor: Create and edit videos by combining recordings, images, audio, text, and other media.
- Video player: Play and manage videos stored in Microsoft 365, including captions, transcripts, and sharing options. This experience was previously associated with Microsoft Stream.
To begin a new editing project:
- Open Clipchamp using your U of T Microsoft 365 account.
- Select the option to create a new video.
- Import existing media or choose a recording option.
- Use the editing timeline to arrange and modify your content.
- Preview and export the finished video.
Instructors can also open videos stored in OneDrive or SharePoint and select the available editing option to begin working with them in Clipchamp.
For detailed instructions, consult Microsoft Clipchamp help and learning.
Creating and Recording Instructional Videos
Clipchamp can support different approaches to creating instructional videos, including:
- Short explanations: Record concise introductions, summaries, or explanations of challenging concepts.
- Demonstrations: Capture processes, software workflows, worked examples, or other activities that students may need to revisit.
- Preparatory materials: Create videos students can review before class to support discussion, practice, or other learning activities.
- Feedback and guidance: Record explanations of assignment instructions, common challenges, or feedback that may benefit from visual demonstration.
- Reusable learning materials: Develop videos that can be updated or reused across course offerings.
Recording Your Screen and Webcam
Clipchamp supports screen recording, webcam recording, and combined screen-and-webcam recording.
To create a recording:
- Open Clipchamp and create a new video project.
- Select Record and create.
- Choose the appropriate screen, webcam, or combined recording option.
- Configure the microphone, camera, and screen-sharing options as needed.
- Start recording and complete your demonstration or explanation.
- Stop the recording and add the captured media to your editing project.
For detailed instructions, consult Microsoft Clipchamp help and learning.
When planning instructional videos, consider whether a recording will genuinely support the learning activity. Shorter, focused videos can make it easier for students to locate and revisit specific explanations.
For broader guidance, consult CTSI’s Recording Lectures and Classes resource. Instructors comparing recording applications can also consult the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering’s Compare and Select Video and Recording Software Options guide.
Editing and Enhancing Videos
Clipchamp provides timeline-based editing tools that allow instructors to organize and revise recorded or imported media.
Common editing tasks include:
- Trim and split clips: Remove unnecessary sections, pauses, or mistakes.
- Arrange media: Combine video clips, images, audio, and other elements in a meaningful sequence.
- Add text: Include titles, section headings, labels, or brief explanations.
- Adjust audio: Review volume levels and use available audio enhancement tools.
- Add transitions: Connect sections where transitions help students follow the material.
- Use visual effects: Apply features such as background removal or green screen effects when they serve a clear instructional purpose.
Designing Videos for Learning
When editing instructional videos, consider:
- Learning purpose: Focus each video on a clear concept, process, or learning activity.
- Organization: Use meaningful titles and sections to help students follow the explanation.
- Chapters and navigation: For longer videos, use chapters in the Clipchamp video player to organize content into sections that students can navigate independently. Chapters can be created manually or generated automatically, where available. For instructions, consult Microsoft’s Creating and managing chapters for videos in the Clipchamp player.
- Pacing: Allow sufficient time for students to interpret diagrams, demonstrations, and other visual information.
- Visual clarity: Ensure that text, diagrams, and interface elements remain readable at different screen sizes.
- Audio clarity: Use clear narration and reduce distracting background noise where possible.
- Student access: Consider whether students may need a transcript, downloadable materials, or another way to access essential information.
Advanced visual effects are optional. Their value depends on whether they help communicate the intended content.
Editing Existing Videos
Instructors can import existing videos into Clipchamp to remove unnecessary content, create shorter segments, or combine recordings with additional materials.
To edit an existing video:
- Open Clipchamp and create a new project, or open a video stored in OneDrive or SharePoint using the available editing option.
- Import or select the video you want to edit.
- Add the video to the timeline.
- Trim, split, rearrange, or enhance the content as needed.
- Preview the edited video before exporting.
Important: Editing and exporting a video in the Clipchamp editor creates a separate finished video file and does not automatically replace the original recording. The Clipchamp video player also offers a trimming feature that hides selected sections during playback without removing them from the original file. If content must be permanently removed, use the video editor to create a new version and review the original file’s access permissions.
Supporting Interactive Video Activities
The Microsoft 365 Clipchamp video player provides features that instructors can use to encourage students to engage with video content. These features are distinct from the Clipchamp video editor and may vary depending on institutional settings.
Interactive features include:
- Callouts: Add text, links, or prompts at specific points in a video to highlight information, direct students to resources, or encourage reflection.
- Microsoft Forms: Embed a form or quiz at a particular point in a video to gather responses, check understanding, or invite students to reflect on the content.
- Comments and reactions: Allow viewers to respond to videos or contribute questions and feedback, where these features are enabled.
Instructors can use these features to create opportunities for students to pause, reflect, respond to questions, or connect video content with other learning activities.
For detailed instructions, consult Microsoft’s Interactivity in the Clipchamp video player documentation.
Note: Interactive features are not necessarily included when a video is downloaded or exported as an MP4 file. Instructors should test the viewing experience and provide alternative ways to access essential questions, instructions, or activities.
Captions and Accessible Videos
Clipchamp provides tools for generating and managing captions and transcripts. Captions can support students who are deaf or hard of hearing, students working in different listening environments, and those who benefit from reading along with spoken content.
Automatic captions are a useful starting point, but they require human review to identify and correct errors.
Generating and Reviewing Captions
Captioning options differ between the Clipchamp video editor and the Microsoft 365 video player.
In the video editor, instructors can use the available automatic captioning tools to generate captions from spoken audio.
A typical workflow involves:
- Open the video in the Clipchamp editor.
- Locate the captioning or transcript options.
- Select the available automatic captioning feature.
- Confirm the spoken language and generate captions.
- Review the captions and correct errors before exporting or sharing the video.
For videos stored in OneDrive or SharePoint, instructors can also use the Microsoft 365 video player’s caption and transcript features.
For detailed instructions, consult Microsoft Clipchamp help and learning and the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering’s How do I generate captions and caption files using Microsoft Clipchamp? guide.
Preparing Accessible Instructional Videos
When preparing videos for students:
- Review captions: Correct transcription errors, particularly technical terminology, names, and discipline-specific vocabulary.
- Provide meaningful visual information: Describe essential diagrams, demonstrations, or other visual content that students cannot understand from the audio alone.
- Use readable text: Ensure that titles, labels, and other on-screen text are sufficiently large and have adequate contrast.
- Check audio quality: Make sure narration is clear and background audio does not interfere with understanding.
- Provide supporting materials: Share transcripts, slides, instructions, or other materials where appropriate.
- Review the finished video: Check that captions, audio, visuals, and playback work as intended.
For additional guidance, consult CTSI’s Captioning Recorded Videos resource.
Exporting, Managing, and Sharing Videos
Once editing is complete, instructors can export the finished video and make it available to students.
Exporting a Video
To export a video:
- Preview the completed project.
- Select Export.
- Choose the available video quality or resolution.
- Wait for the export to finish.
Locate the exported video in the designated Microsoft 365 storage location.
Clipchamp commonly exports completed videos in MP4 format. Available export resolutions and other options may vary by account and licence.
For additional instructions, consult the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering’s How do I download a video from Microsoft Clipchamp? guide.
Sharing Videos with Students
Videos stored in OneDrive or SharePoint can be shared through links with appropriate access permissions.
To share a video:
- Locate the completed video in OneDrive or the Microsoft 365 video player.
- Open the sharing options.
- Review who can access the video and whether they have viewing or editing permissions.
- Copy the appropriate sharing link.
- Add the link to a Quercus (Canvas) Page, Module, Announcement, or other relevant course area.
- Check that students can access the video and its captions.
When sharing videos, instructors should review permissions carefully and avoid providing editing access unless students are expected to collaborate on the content.
The Clipchamp video player also provides settings for managing chapters, interactive features, comments, reactions, and video analytics, where available. Video owners can review these options through Video settings.
Video analytics can provide information about views and viewers, which may help instructors understand how students access shared materials. However, viewing statistics should not be treated as direct evidence of student engagement or learning.
For detailed instructions, consult Microsoft’s Turn video settings on or off documentation.
Managing Videos for Future Use
When preparing videos for reuse:
- Retain original materials: Keep source recordings and editing projects when future revisions may be needed.
- Review captions and transcripts: Ensure they remain accurate after editing.
- Check sharing permissions: Confirm that students in the intended course can access the video.
- Review content: Update information, examples, or instructions that may have changed.
- Consider privacy and copyright: Review whether recordings contain identifiable student contributions or third-party materials before reusing them.
For guidance on storing and distributing instructional videos, consult CTSI’s Media Hosting and Sharing for Teaching resource.