Using YuJa to create and publish lecture videos
Last updated: December 23, 2020, 3:49 p.m.
Lecture capture is a way that you can record your voice and what's on your screen (and optionally video of you talking) in order to make it available in video format to students via Moodle. Lecture capture is a great way to create short bursts of content that can be watched at any time.
Before you begin: Equipment checklist
You will need the following equipment to run virtual classes online:
- a desktop or laptop computer
- a reliable Internet connection
- a microphone
How Lecture Capture works
The following video gives an overview of YuJa and how Lecture Capture works.
Teaching considerations when creating online lectures
Rather than record long lecture of 1-2 hours, it is recommended to record lectures in 20 minutes (or smaller) segments and, where possible, adding a short activity that prompts students to put the ideas to ‘action.’ These activities could include: reflective question(s) or discussion questions for students to discuss in groups in a discussion forum, or quiz questions.
The following resources provide instructions on how to record a lecture from your laptop or desktop that captures your voice and screen (and optionally video of you talking).
How to download YuJa’s Software Capture application
To pre-record your lecture from a personal computer, you first need to download the YuJa Software Capture application.
Service recommendations
To have the best experience with the software, please consider the following recommendations:
- Use the latest version of Firefox as your browser when accessing YuJa through Moodle.
- Enable cookies in your browser for all Moodle and YuJa features to function properly.
To download YuJa to your personal computer:
1. On the Moodle course page, select the link to the YuJa activity page.

The My Media workspace is displayed in Moodle.
2. On the YuJa toolbar, select Create Recording.
The Create Recording dialog box opens with the option to download.

3. Select Download.
A pop-up is displayed asking if you would like to save the .exe file.
4. Select Save File.

The YuJa-Software-Capture.exe file is displayed in your Downloads folder.
5. When the download is finished, select YuJa-Software-Capture.exe.
6. If your computer asks you to allow the application to make changes to your computer, select Yes.
The software is installed and a shortcut is created on your desktop. After the installation, the Software Capture application is launched on your computer.
How to capture voice and screen presentations
After the software download is complete, you can pre-record voice and screen presentations for your students. For example, you can simultaneously capture your lecture and PowerPoint slides on your screen.
Software requirements
To capture voice and screen presentations, you need the following hardware:
- An internal or external microphone
To capture a voice and screen presentation:
1. On the desktop, select YuJa Software Capture.

The Software Capture and Live Streaming page is displayed.
2. Go to the Please sign in using menu, select Single Sign-on, and then select Sign In.
The Concordia Sign In page is displayed.
3. Enter your Concordia netname and password, and then select Sign In.
The Software Capture application opens with a preview of the video, voice, and screen sources.
4. In the Title box, enter a name for the recording.
5. In the Description box, enter a description of the recording.
6. Select My Media Collection.
The Save folder dialog box opens.
7. Choose the folder you want to save the recording in, and then click Select.
8. In the Video settings, turn off the video source.

9. On your desktop, locate and open your presentation material (PowerPoint slides etc.).
10. In the Software Capture application, select Start.
The Software Capture application is minimized and located at the bottom right corner of your screen.

Note: You can use the mini-bar to do the following:
- Select the YuJa logo to reopen the recording window.
- Select Pause to pause your recording and select Play to resume it.
- Select Finish to stop your recording.
Tip: Before the recording begins, a three-second countdown is displayed on your screen. Use this time to bring up your files, slides, or any other presentation material on your screen. After the one-second mark, begin your presentation.
11. On the Software Capture mini-bar, select Finish when you want to end the recording.
A message is displayed confirming the session has ended.
12. Select Save.
The Software Capture application saves your recording to your personal YuJa media library and then closes automatically.
Note: The software continues to run in the background after the window closes. You can access it again by opening your hidden icons tray and selecting the YuJa logo.
How to publish videos to a course channel
To share your pre-recorded lectures with your students, you can publish the videos to a course channel in YuJa.
To publish a video to a course channel:
1. On the Moodle course page, select the link to the YuJa activity page.

The My Media workspace is displayed in Moodle.
2. In My Media, select the folder that contains the video you want to publish.
3. Hover your cursor over the video you want to publish.
A hover menu is displayed.

4. Select Publish.
The Publish to… dialog box is displayed.
5. On the All Channels list, select the name of the channel you want to publish to (for example, PYSC 101 2194 B).
The channel name is displayed under the heading Selected Channels.
6. Click Select.
A message is displayed confirming your video has been published.
Note: To view videos that you have published, locate and select the channel name on the left navigation bar.
How to Add the Activity
Concordia uses Yuja, a video publishing and capturing tool to share videos securely on Moodle. After you have saved your recorded virtual course meeting, you will need to make the video available to students on Moodle. You can share your videos securely on Moodle by using YuJa, a video capturing and publishing tool. But first, you need to add the activity to your Moodle course.
Important note: If you wish to share your videos with your students, you must publish them to the YuJa course channel. DO NOT add or embed any links to the YuJa videos directly into the Moodle course. To ensure the privacy of your online lectures, publish your videos to the course channels only.
To add YuJa as an activity to your Moodle course:
1. Go to moodle.concordia.ca, and log in with your Concordia netname and password.
2. In the Navigation Drawer, click the course in which you want to post the activity.
3. In the top right corner, click Turn editing on.

Note: To add or edit any content in Moodle, editing must be turned on.
4. In the first topic section, click Add an activity or resource.

The Activity Chooser is displayed with a list of activities you can add to your Moodle site.
5. Scroll down, and then click YuJa Enterprise Video Platform.

6. Click Add.
7. In the Activity name box, type [Course code] Virtual Course Recordings.

8. Under Privacy, and then uncheck Accept grades from the tool.

9. Click Save and return to course.
- The [Course code] Virtual Course Recordings link is displayed at the top of your Moodle course page.
- Important note: The activity link is the door to your Personal media library and Shared course channels in YuJa. Add the activity link only once to your course page. By following steps 1-9 to add the activity, you have created a YuJa course channel. You will use this channel later to share your videos.
How to create a folder
Before you start uploading or creating videos, you can organise your personal media library with folders.
To create a folder:
1. On the Moodle course page, click the [Course code] Virtual Course Recordings link.

2. On the My Media action bar, click New Folder.
3. Type a folder name, (for example, ENGR 201 Recordings), and then click Save.
- Your new folder is displayed in your My Media library.
- Note: These folders are located in your personal library, which only you can see.
How to upload a video
After you’ve organised your library, you can start uploading videos.
To upload a video:
1. Click the folder in which you want to add the video.
2. On the My Media action bar, click Upload.
- The Add Media dialog box opens with the video option preselected.
3. Click Browse.
- The File Upload dialog box opens.
4. Find and click the video you want to upload, and then click Open.
5. Click Start Upload.
- The video is displayed as processing in your media library until the upload is finished.
How to publish a video
After you’ve uploaded your video, you can share it with your students by publishing it to the course channel.
Important note: If you wish to share your videos with your students, you must publish them to the YuJa course channel. DO NOT add or embed any links to the YuJa videos directly into the Moodle course. To ensure the privacy of your online lectures, publish your videos to the course channels only.
1. Hover your cursor over the video you want to publish, and then click Publish.
- The Publish to… dialog box is displayed.
2. On the All Channels list, scroll down and click the name of the course channel you want to publish your video to.
- The channel name is displayed under the heading Selected Channels.
3. Click Select.
- A message is displayed confirming that your video has been published.
- Your students can now access the videos through the Moodle course by selecting the [Course Code] Virtual Course Recordings link.
Watch the step-by-step instructional videos
Video: Add Yuja to a Moodle course
Video: Capture voice and screen
Video: Organize your media folders
Complete Guide - full written instructions on using YuJa as for capturing lectures.
Please visit IITS lecture capture services for full details.
Additional Resources
Using the Software Capture for Apple Applications (Step-by-step video instructions for creating pre-recorded videos from your Apple desktop or laptop)
Using the Software Capture for PC Applications (Step-by-step video instructions for creating pre-recorded videos from your Windows desktop or laptop)
Using the YuJa video Editor (A step-by-step video from YuJa on how to edit your videos)
Assistance
If you think you’ll need assistance with this workflow, please contact us at teaching@concordia.ca.
We are here with you to help you through this process.