Share Kaltura Videos with Selected Students in Canvas

Quick Links: | Share a Kaltura Video Using an Assignment (Recommended) | Share a Kaltura Video Using a Page | Troubleshoot Student Access Issues |

Share a Kaltura Video Using an Assignment (Recommended)

Sometimes you need to share a lecture video with only a few students without making it visible to the entire class. The most reliable way to do this in Canvas is to embed the Kaltura video inside an Assignment and use the Assign to setting to limit access.

This method uses Canvas’s supported selective visibility tools and is the recommended Chico State approach.

What You Need

  • Instructor role in the Canvas course
  • Access to Kaltura My Media
  • The video uploaded to Kaltura (it can remain private in My Media)
  • The names of the students who should have access

Create a Restricted Assignment with a Kaltura Video

  1. In your course, open Assignments and select + Assignment.
  2. Enter a clear name (for example, “Lecture Video – Makeup Viewing”).
  3. Set Points to 0.
  4. Set Submission Type to No Submission.
  5. In the Rich Content Editor, select the Kaltura icon (or Apps → Kaltura).
  6. Choose your video from My Media and embed it.
  7. Scroll to the Assign section.
  8. In Assign to, remove Everyone and select only the intended students (or a small section that includes only them).
  9. Adjust Due, Available from, and Until dates if needed.
  10. Select Save & Publish.
  11. When prompted with a warning that not everyone is assigned, select Continue.

Only the selected students will be able to open the assignment and view the embedded video.

Share a Kaltura Video Using a Page

You can also embed a Kaltura video in a Page and restrict access. However, Assignments provide more consistent individual control.

Create a Restricted Page with a Kaltura Video

  1. Open Pages and select All Pages.
  2. Select + Page.
  3. Enter a clear name (for example, “Lecture Video – Private Access”).
  4. In the Rich Content Editor, select the Kaltura icon (or Apps → Kaltura).
  5. Choose your video from My Media and select the blue Embed button.
  6. Select Save.
  7. Select Publish.
  8. Use Assign To (if available in your course) to remove Everyone and select only the intended students.

Why Not Add “Kaltura External Tool” Directly to a Module?

External Tool module items cannot reliably be assigned to individual students in many Canvas configurations. Embedding the video in an Assignment or Page and using Assign to provides more predictable access control.

Troubleshoot Student Access Issues

A Student Cannot See the Video

  • Confirm the Assignment or Page is Published.
  • If inside a Module, confirm the Module is Published and any prerequisites are met.
  • Check Assign to and verify only the intended students are listed.
  • The video can remain private in My Media — it will still play for students who have access to the Canvas item.

The Kaltura Icon Is Missing

  • Select Apps and search for Kaltura.
  • If it is not available, check Settings → Navigation to ensure Kaltura is enabled.
  • If needed, contact support for assistance with your course’s Kaltura integration.

You Regularly Share Content with the Same Small Group

  • Create a dedicated course section that includes only those students.
  • Use Assign to with that section for simpler, repeatable sharing.

 Still need help? Faculty and staff can reach out to the Technology and Learning Program. Students can reach out to the Center for Technology Equity.
  
 Help us improve our Knowledge Base! Click Yes or No below, then let us know what worked — or what didn’t. Your feedback helps us improve our content and provide the best possible support. 

Print Article