Issue or Question
How do I use YuJa Panorama's Caption Detection feature to verify and manage captions on course videos in Canvas?
YuJa Panorama's Caption Detection feature automatically scans course videos for existing captions and alerts faculty when captions are missing. This helps ensure that video content — including original lecture recordings, YouTube links, and third-party content — meets accessibility standards for all students.
Environment
This information applies to: YuJa Panorama — Caption Detection
- Any supported web browser
- Canvas Learning Management System (LMS)
- Faculty and course instructors
Resolution
Before You Begin
Important: Caption Detection does not scan Panopto videos. Panopto is configured at St. Thomas to automatically generate and apply machine-generated captions for every video uploaded to the platform. No additional captioning action is required for Panopto content.
What Caption Detection Does
Caption Detection provides an automated way to verify and manage captions on course videos directly within Canvas. Key capabilities include:
- Automated caption scanning: Scans embedded videos — including YouTube and other external videos — for existing captions.
- Alerts for missing captions: Notifies faculty when videos lack captions and provides options to add or update them.
- Canvas integration: Works directly within Canvas, allowing faculty to verify and manage video captions without switching platforms.
- Flexible captioning options: Supports captioning for a variety of video sources, including lecture recordings and linked YouTube content.
Common Use Cases
The following scenarios describe how faculty can apply Caption Detection to support accessible course design.
Verifying Compliance with Video Accessibility Standards
Use Caption Detection to verify that course videos meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 accessibility standards. Automated alerts make it straightforward to identify videos that are missing captions, ensuring students with hearing impairments can fully engage with course content.
Supporting Multilingual Students
Captions benefit not only students with hearing impairments but also multilingual students. Captions reinforce spoken content and improve comprehension for students who may have difficulty with rapid speech or unfamiliar accents.
Managing Captions on YouTube and External Videos
When embedding YouTube or other external videos, Caption Detection verifies whether captions are available. If captions are missing, the tool prompts faculty to select an alternative video or add captions manually to maintain accessibility.
Accommodating Students in Varied Environments
Students access course videos in a range of settings — from quiet study spaces to noisy public areas. Ensuring all videos have captions provides a flexible option for students who need to watch without audio or who have difficulty hearing clearly.
Supporting Active Learning with Transcripts
Caption Detection helps ensure accurate transcripts are available alongside captions for all course videos. Transcripts allow students to review key concepts, search for specific sections, and reinforce learning through text-based review.
Troubleshooting
If Caption Detection does not appear to be scanning videos or alerts are not displaying as expected:
- Confirm that YuJa Panorama is enabled and active in your Canvas course.
- Verify that the video is embedded directly in Canvas content — externally linked pages may not be scanned.
- Note that Panopto videos are excluded from Caption Detection by design; captions are applied automatically by Panopto.
- Clear your browser cache or try a different supported browser if the feature does not load correctly.
- Record the exact wording of any error messages before contacting support.