This article will cover linking YouTube videos to SumTotal.
Table of Content
Need-to-Know
It's easy to upload content in SumTotal. However, large files (such as videos), takes up server space and are not easily tracked. It might be better suited (and easily maintained) on a web site where you create an activity that points to a URL instead. The best use case for this is creating an activity in SumTotal and linking to a YouTube video. The benefits of doing this are:
- Reduces server space used on the LMS.
- xAPI tracking and progress of video (records completion).
- Natively plays in SumTotal (doesn’t launch in another window / tab).
Create Learning Activity
Step 1: Go to Administration > Quick Links > Learning Activities.
Step 2: Click on New Activity > YouTube Video.
Step 3: Set general properties, such as Activity Name and Code.
Step 4: Click on the Optional button.
Step 5: Modify any optional settings in this section.
Step 6: Go to Configure general properties for your activity > Status to verify settings like Can be subscribed.
Step 7: Check Registration and Notification properties if you want to change registration properties or notification settings.
Step 8: Go to Metadata and select System Defined.
Step 9: Enabled Watch under Modality Filter.
Enable xAPI Tracking
Step 1: To add the YouTube video click on the Optional button.
Step 2: Under Web Based Training, select General.
Step 3: Choose Launch Method > General Document.
Step 4: Enter your Launch URL.
For tracking purposes, you can’t publish different activities with the same YouTube URL. You need to create one activity for your entire system and then share it across domains and / or organizations.
The YouTube video link must be in the format https://www.youtube.com/. (and has the watch? In the URL) Alternative domains or shortened URLs (such as those created when sharing or embedding a YouTube video) will not work. In short, you need to use the full URL.
Step 5: You can use the Test button to make sure your link works.
Step 6: If you entered a YouTube video URL, after you click Test, a new checkbox displays: Enable xAPI Tracking.
Step 7: Check the box Enable xAPI to allow your learners to track their interaction details (this is what allows the YouTube video to track within the LMS).
If the activity you're editing doesn't support xAPI tracking (or the YouTube link is not entered correctly), you won't be able to check the Enable xAPI Tracking checkbox.
Step 8: After saving all your settings, click on the Validate for Production button.
Step 9: Click on the Move to Production button.
When users view a YouTube video in SumTotal, they must view the activity in the LMS. YouTube embeds a link “View on YouTube” for watching videos on third party platforms. If a user clicks this link, the video will not track in the LMS. Make sure to communicate the video must be watched in SumTotal or they will not receive credit.
This concludes on how to link a YouTube video in SumTotal.