Microsoft Stream
Microsoft Stream is a new video service which replaced Office 365 Video starting in January, 2021. Stream brings with it several features:
- You will have greater flexibility in sharing videos among your own courses and with other instructors.
- Stream automatically generates closed captions for videos, an important feature for addressing accessibility needs and universal design.
- All instructors will have the ability to use Stream in their assigned courses, so faculty will no longer need to request channels for each course or section they teach.
Accessing Stream
To access your Microsoft Stream account:
- Log into Office365.IllinoisState.edu with your University email address (@ilstu.edu) and password.
- Look for the Stream icon
on the left-hand menu. - If you don't see the icon, select the "All Apps" icon at the bottom of that row to find the Streams icon (once you do this once, it should appear in the menu bar on later visits to the site).
Groups
Individual classes are called "Groups" in Microsoft Streams. They use the naming convention [DEPT] [Class Number] [Section Number] [Semester/Year] - [Name of course]
For example, ENG 101 001 SU2021 - Composition as Critical Inquiry.
To locate your Groups:
- Log into Microsoft Stream
- Select My Content
- Select Groups
For Fall 2021 (and beyond)
While Groups are created for the fall (and future semesters) as instructors are assigned classes, videos are not associated with them automatically. This means, starting for Fall 2021, you will need associate each video with the desired group.
Existing Videos
Old videos need permissions to be re-granted for the current semester's students. They do not have to be re-uploaded or re-shared (old links or embed codes will still work).
- Find the video you want to share with your new group (either in the video's old group or under My Content --> Videos)
- Click on the "Add to group/channel" option
- Switch from "Share with: People" to "My groups"
- Type in your three letter department code and search
- Click on the class you want to share it with and uncheck the "Owner" box if checked
- Click "Save" at the bottom
New Videos
New videos can be uploaded directly into the class Group, which will automatically give everyone there permission to watch the video. After that, it only needs to be Shared via a link or embed code and then Published.
Extending Student Access Post-Semester
At the end of the current semester, students will be automatically dropped as members from Groups, meaning they lose access to videos (even if you re-publish your ReggieNet course site). You can re-add Individual students who received an "incomplete."
- In Microsoft Stream, go to the Group for the expired class
- Click the "Add member" button
- Type the student's ULID into the People field
- Select their name when it appears
- Select "Save"
Student Viewing Issue
Some students may not be able to view videos if they don't allow Stream to use "cookies" with their web browser. If your students encounter this issue, please have them contact the Technology Support Center at Help.IllinoisState.edu.
Check Permissions
Some Groups may be created with the "Allow all members to contribute" option turned on. We recommend that instructors log into Stream and turn this function off, to prevent students from accidentally manipulating videos in your course. Complete instructions on how to do this can be found in this help desk article.
Faculty Support
The Center for Integrated Professional Development provides instructional support for faculty who wish to use Microsoft Stream in their teaching, including help embedding videos in ReggieNet course sites. If you have questions about using Stream please email ProDev@ilstu.edu to arrange a consultation.
Faculty members who have general issues with Stream (for example, access issues) should contact the Technology Support Center online or by phone at (309) 438-HELP.
Student Support
The Technology Support Center provides students with technical support. If your students are having trouble accessing Stream course materials, please have them contact the Technology Support Center online or by phone at (309) 438-HELP.