06 Captioning Tools

Preparing to Caption

There are two ways to approach captioning:

Preparing for captioning by using a script to record your video
Creating a transcript after recording to capture the audio portion

There are pros and cons to both approaches. Working from a script will allow you to be more focused and professional, but it will also sound scripted. In this method, your work is front-loaded, and with a good script, you'll be ready to caption as soon as you upload your video.

For a more natural feel, you may be more comfortable speaking "off the cuff," but you will also run the risk of mis-speaking and rambling. With this method, you'll be spending more time transcribing your video, so be sure to plan the time to carefully review the video to create your transcript.

We strongly suggest you try both methods--you may be surprised at the results from each.

Captioning with TechSmith

TechSmith Relay makes it simple to generate captions for your videos based on the existing audio track. And the built-in Caption Editor makes it possible for you to edit and publish generated captions when you're ready.

If you have a caption file you can import it and sync to your video. Use the TechSmith support resource on importing captions.

Generate captions for an existing video:

Navigate to the view page of the video that needs captions and click the Accessibility(click on the video in your TechSmith Library or view on the Canvas Page)

Note: The Closed Captioning options are not available for videos added via YouTube.

Determine how you wish to add captions. When a video does not already contain captions, TechSmith Relay offers you three ways of getting started:

Add Captions Manually

If you choose to add captions manually you will be taken straight to the editor where you can start adding and editing captions or import a caption file. See the Add and Edit Video Captions tutorial for instructions on how to use the caption editor.

Add Assignee

If you choose Add Assignee, you'll have to opportunity to assign your video to another TechSmith Relay user for captioning, including generating speech-to-text captions if desired. See the Assigning a Caption Editor tutorial (https://www.techsmith.com/tutorial-techsmith-relay-assigning-captions.html) for help with this option.

Generate Captions

The Generate Captions option offers another workflow that can be helpful and add convenience to the caption creation process.

After you click Generate Captions, TechSmith Relay will process the audio in your video and automatically create a caption draft. The amount of time this takes will vary, but is typically less than the total duration of your video. You should receive a separate email letting you know your captions are ready for review.

You can check the status of your captions on the Activity tab in TechSmith Relay:

Once your captions are done processing, click on the Edit Captions button to make any necessary corrections to the auto-generated captions and publish the final captions once you're satisfied. The Edit Captions button will be visible under both the Activity page and from the video viewing page (examples below).

Generated captions, like the ones shown to the right in the Caption Editor, will not be visible to viewers until you click Publish. This allows you to fix errors and tweak caption timings in the transcription.

Add and Edit Captions

If you already have captions on your video you will see them on the timeline, or it will be empty for you to add captions.

Play your video to review the captions for errors, or listen to know what to type for your blank caption.
When you get to a caption that needs editing or ready to type your captions, click pause on the video.
Place your cursor in the textbox to edit the caption.
1. Type your correction or text directly into the caption box.
2. Use the navigation arrows jump forward or back one caption, or click a caption to select it.
3. To hear the video portion again, click the replay button in the associated caption. The replay will play continuously while you type. Click pause to stop the replay.
To adjust the timing of your caption, click hold and drag the caption markers on the time line to adjust your timing.
To delete a caption, click the delete caption button
To add a caption, click the add caption button, then type the caption into the empty box.
Use undo and redo if you make a mistake
Click Save and exit if you need a break or not ready to publish.
Click publish to make visible to your viewers. Confirm you wish to publish.
Play your video, and click the CC button to confirm the captions are visible

Captioning in Canvas

Captioning with Canvas

Canvas allows instructors to record video from within the Rich Content Editor, but captions need to be created outside the editor, and then imported. One way to do this is to use the subtitle tool within Amara to create your caption file. Please watch the following short video to learn more about using the Media tool within the Rich Content Editor combined with Amara to create captioned video. There are several steps, so you may wish to watch the video, and then play and pause the video while trying this method--it's easier than it sounds on the first pass:

How Do I Create Captions for a New or Uploaded Video?

How Do I Create Captions for a New or Uploaded Video?

Captioning with YouTube

Captioning with YouTube

There are two approaches for captioning with YouTube--upload a script, or revise YouTube's auto-captions. In this section, we'll review uploading your script.

To create captioning with a script, follow these simple steps:

Record your video from the script.
Review your recording, and correct any errors in the script.
Save the script as a .txt file.
Upload your video to YouTube.
Select "edit."
Select Subtitles and CC from the menu.
Set the language of the video.
Select Add new subtitles or cc.
Select Upload a file, and then select your script file (.txt).
Use the text edit box to clean up the text (for instance, apostrophes or quotes may need to be corrected).
Select Set Timings, and wait for the captions to sync.

For instructions on correcting auto-captions, see Retrofitting Video.

Creating Subtitles and Closed Captions:

https://youtu.be/LCZ-cxfxzvk

Help with Captioning

Help with captioning

Captioning may seem daunting, but don't let it prevent you from using multimedia in your course. If uploading your own captions seems like an impossibility, there are several options for getting help with captions, including funding for professional captioning services, or crowd-sourced captioning!

3C Media Solutions

In addition to hosting videos, 3C Media will help with the captioning of faculty produced video. They won't caption videos you have purchased, rented, or curated from others, but if you have made your own instructional video, you can request archiving and captioning through 3C Media services.

3C Media Solutions How-To:

3C Media Solutions How-To

The Distance Education Captioning and Transcription Grant (DECT)

The DECT grant is funded by the Chancellor's Office to "promote faculty innovation in the use of audio, video, and multi-media content in distance learning classes." The grant provides funds for professional captioning and transcription. Colleges apply for a grant within a specific semester, and, once approved, can use the funds to either pay a vendor of their choice or can use a pre-approved vendor from DECT. This is a terrific way to get your own videos captioned or to have professional videos captioned (please be sure you have the right to use these videos). For more information on applying for a captioning grant, please visit the DECT website.

Amara

There is a parable about 7 siblings who are given extraordinarily difficult tasks to do. Six of the seven siblings use a "super power" to complete their assigned task, but the seventh sibling was just an ordinary person, with no observable super power. This sibling was given the task of breaking a bundle of sticks--the other siblings cringed. How could this normal sibling, with no extraordinary talents, possibly break the large bundle of wood? Sibling number seven, however, knew the power of teamwork, and simply divided the sticks among the siblings, who each easily managed to break a stick.

There is power in teamwork, and Amara is an organization that capitalizes on that power! Please watch the following short video to learn a little more about Amara's captioning ability:

Meet Amara:

Meet Amara

Crowd-sourcing Your Captions in YouTube

There is a feature in YouTube that allows you to solicit help in captioning. When you upload a video, you can allow others to contribute captions. Though you might not want to display your work to the whole world-wide-web, this may be a great extra-credit assignment for students--have them sign in and caption your video (but be sure you're offering equivalent extra credit opportunities to students who may be hearing impaired!).

To learn more about crowd-sourcing your captions, read YouTube Help's article: Contribute titles, descriptions, subtitles & closed captions.