Teaching with WeVideo
Instructor Guide
WeVideo (formerly PlayPosit) is an interactive video platform that layers active learning components onto existing video content. It allows you to add checks for understanding, short quizzes, polls, discussion prompts, and branching pathways so students engage with material rather than passively watching. The tool works with video hosting services that you already use, such as MediaPlus and YouTube.
There are several benefits to using this software.
Enhance Student Engagement
WeVideo helps turn video from a passive activity into an active learning experience. Instead of simply assigning a video to watch, you can insert interactive elements that pause the video at instructor-selected moments to check for understanding, ask a short question, or prompt reflection before students continue.
You might use WeVideo to:
- Insert low-stakes knowledge checks to reinforce learning objectives
- Add short discussion or response prompts that ask students to explain their thinking
- Create simple branching pathways that guide students to review or extension content based on their answers
- Build short interactive lessons that combine video with structured engagement
To build a bulb in WeVideo, consult Building a Bulb in WeVideo 3.0 (for more information on interactions, see the Insert Interactions section), or watch these YouTube videos: Interaction Introduction 1, 2, and 3.
Streamline Instructor Workload
WeVideo gives visual media (including PDF and image documents) an additional boost by allowing instructors to add voice-over narration and a secondary video overlay to compare and contrast material. Students can answer questions in a way that best suits their learning style through the use of question banks as well. Using Branched Learning with WeVideo is a great way to accommodate students’ individual needs while meeting content objectives!
Integrates into Canvas
WeVideo is easily accessible in Canvas and easily allows for grades to be passed back with a single-click sync button. Additionally, WeVideo's Broadcast feature allows grades to be passed back from individual learning sessions. This webpage (Canvas 3.0) provides instructions for launching, grading, and monitoring bulbs and playlists in Canvas, as well as for syncing grades.
Additional Resources
Navigating WeVideo
How to Add/Remove Learners in WeVideo
Peer Review for Instructors (Using Canvas Groups)
Accessibility / Captions in WeVideo
Troubleshooting/Support