What is Panopto?

Panopto is a video platform that integrates seamlessly with Moodle. It allows instructors to record, host, and share video content directly inside their courses. Beyond lecture capture, Panopto includes interactive tools that support meaningful, instructor-initiated interaction with students — a key requirement of RSI.

RSI Requirements Refresher

Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI) involves:

• Regular: Scheduled, expected interactions between instructor and students.

• Substantive: Academic engagement related to the course subject, such as instruction, guidance, feedback, or answering questions.

Videos alone do not meet RSI requirements unless they are part of ongoing, instructor-initiated engagement.

Panopto becomes a strong RSI tool when paired with interaction strategies — feedback, discussion, announcements, Q&A, and follow-up communications.

Key Panopto Features That Support RSI

1. Recording and Uploading Instructional Videos

What It Does:

• Record lectures, tutorials, or targeted mini-lessons using the Panopto desktop or browser recorder.

• Upload pre-recorded videos to course folders in Moodle.

• Add captions and slides for accessibility.

How It Supports RSI:

• Establishes instructor presence by providing direct instruction.

• Allows for predictable weekly engagement (e.g., “Week 3 Overview” videos).

Best Practice Example:

• Record a weekly “Course Overview” video every Monday to preview the week’s objectives.

• Include examples, expectations, and tips based on the previous week’s student performance.

2. Interactive Quizzes in Videos

           

What It Does:

• Add quizzes directly inside videos to check comprehension and guide learning.

• Supports multiple choice, true/false, and short answer questions.

• Results can be reviewed by the instructor.

How It Supports RSI:

• Creates substantive engagement by prompting students to interact with the content.

• Allows instructors to follow up on areas where students struggled.

Best Practice Example:

• Insert a few quiz questions during a lecture video.

• Post an announcement or reply in a forum addressing the most commonly missed questions.

3. Video Comments and Discussion

What It Does:

• Allows time-stamped comments within videos.

• Students and instructors can reply to each other, creating a thread of discussion tied to specific moments.

How It Supports RSI:

• Encourages ongoing dialogue around instructional content.

• Makes instructor feedback visible to the whole class or individually.

Best Practice Example:

• Leave targeted prompts at key points in the video (e.g., “Pause here — What do you think this data implies?”).

• Reply to student comments within 24–48 hours to maintain regular engagement.

4. Analytics and Student Engagement Tracking

What It Does:

• Panopto provides viewer analytics, showing who watched what, how long, and quiz performance.

How It Supports RSI:

• Allows instructors to proactively reach out to students who may not be engaging with content.

• Supports targeted announcements, follow-ups, or interventions.

Best Practice Example:

• Check analytics mid-week and send a Moodle message to students who haven’t viewed the video.

• Offer a brief office hour or additional resource to support those learners.

5. Student Video Submissions

What It Does:

• Students can submit their own video presentations or responses through Panopto assignment folders in Moodle.

How It Supports RSI:

• Allows two-way interaction, giving instructors the chance to respond with personalized video or written feedback.

• Encourages authentic assessments.

Best Practice Example:

• Ask students to record a 2-minute reflection on a topic.

• Instructor replies with a short feedback video or comment.

6. Embedding and Integration in Moodle

What It Does:

• Panopto videos can be embedded directly in Moodle Pages, Books, Forums, and Assignments.

• Videos inherit Moodle access and visibility settings.

How It Supports RSI:

• Keeps engagement inside the LMS, making it easy to pair video instruction with other interactive tools (like forums and quizzes).

• Encourages structured and scheduled content delivery.

Best Practice Example:

• Embed a lecture video in a forum with a required response prompt.

• Follow up with individualized feedback or additional resources.

? RSI Strategies with Panopto

Examples of how Panopto can support RSI

• Record and post at least one weekly instructional video

• Embed interactive quizzes in lecture videos

• Add discussion prompts or comments in at least one video each week

• Respond to student comments in Panopto within 24–48 hours

• Review viewer analytics weekly and reach out as needed

• Use student video submissions for at least one activity or assessment

•  Embed Panopto content directly in Moodle activities

Pro Tips

• Keep videos short (6–10 minutes) when possible for better engagement.

• Use captions and transcripts to ensure accessibility.

• If recording recurring videos (e.g., weekly overviews), schedule them consistently so students know when to expect them.

• Combine video instruction with forums, assignments, or quizzes to make the interaction substantive.

• Document your Panopto engagement in your RSI tracking records.

Example RSI Workflow with Panopto

1. Monday: Post a “Week 5 Overview” Panopto video with embedded quiz questions.

2. Wednesday: Respond to at least 3 student comments in the video.

3. Thursday: Check analytics, message non-viewers to offer support.

4. Friday: Embed a short Panopto feedback video in the forum summarizing common trends or questions.