Note About Student Limitations with Embedding Panopto Videos in Moodle.
Students can no longer use the Panopto icon within the TinyMCE text editor to directly embed videos into discussion forums. Instead, students must create or upload their video to Panopto and then share it by posting a link in the discussion forum.
This limitation exists because Moodle restricts certain embedded content for student roles due to security and content permission controls. However, a student can share a direct link to their Panopto video, allowing them to share their recordings in forum discussions.
Note About Student My Folder Access
Due to recent Panopto configuration changes, some students may no longer have access to a personal My Folder within Panopto. Instead, students may only have access to the course’s designated Assignments folder.
Because of this change, instructors should direct students to record or upload their videos directly to the course Assignments folder rather than expecting them to save videos in a personal Panopto folder.
Using the Assignments folder also helps ensure student videos are associated with the correct course and can be shared appropriately within forum discussions when folder permissions are configured correctly.
Important: Use the Panopto Assignments Folder for Student video sharing.
To allow students to view each other’s videos in a discussion forum, instructors should configure the course’s Panopto Assignments folder.
The Assignments folder is designed specifically for student video submissions. Videos created or uploaded by students are stored separately from the main course folder while still allowing instructors to manage permissions and visibility.
By default, videos uploaded to an Assignments folder are visible only to the instructor and the student who uploaded them. To support peer viewing in a discussion forum, instructors must adjust the folder settings to allow students to view one another’s videos.
Configuring the Assignments Folder for Peer Viewing
To allow students to view and respond to each other’s videos:
Open Panopto within the Moodle course or navigate to the Course folder in Panopto.
Locate the Assignments folder. (It will be a subfolder of the Course folder)
Image: Course folder and location of the assignment folder viewed from the Panopto Website (if you're working in the Panopto folder inside Moodle, see the gray callout box below for assignment folder location)
Open the folder settings: Tap the three vertical dots in the upper-right-hand corner of the screen, then select Settings.
In the Popup window, select Settings in the left-hand menu, then select the checkbox labeled "Allow viewers to see each other's sessions." You can click the X to close the window.
Permission changes may take several minutes to fully apply. After permissions are updated, students will be able to access videos via Panopto links in the discussion forum.
Note: If this setting is disabled and a user individually requests and is granted access to a video in the assignment folder, access to the video will still be blocked for the user.
Course folder and location of the assignment folder viewed from the Panopto Activity in Moodle. Once in the settings screen follow step 3 and 4 above
Closing an Assignments folder
Once all Viewers have submitted to the assignment folder, or the deadline for the assignment has been reached, you can close the assignment folder. This is recommended if you have multiple forums that require video sharing.
To do so, navigate to the settings of the parent folder (Course folder)
Under the section Assignment Folder on the Overview tab, select Close.
Note: A pop-up window will appear to confirm that you want to close the folder, as this action cannot be undone. Closing an assignment folder prevents viewers of this folder from accessing and adding content to the assignment folder. The assignment folder and its content will remain accessible to you as a creator.
Restricting access helps keep future submissions organized and prevents students from accidentally uploading videos to an outdated folder.
You can open a new assignments folder as needed for future discussion forums. Check out the article to find instructions on how to open a new assignments folder and other details in How to Allow Viewers to Record Videos Using Assignment Folders.
Recommended Workflow for Students
Students should complete the following process when participating in a video discussion forum:
Record or upload their video to the course’s Panopto Assignments folder.
Open the video in Panopto.
Copy the video link.
Paste the link into their Moodle forum post.
Students should avoid embedding videos using the TinyMCE Panopto icon, as this method is no longer supported for forum discussions.
Best Practices
Clearly communicate to students where videos should be uploaded.
Remind students to post links to videos instead of embedding them.
Test the student viewing experience before the activity begins.
Consider creating separate Assignments folders for major activities.
Review folder permissions periodically to ensure videos are shared appropriately.