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EchoVideo: Adding a Remote Plugin to Brightspace for Embedding EchoVideo Videos

Echo360
  • Updated

Updating your Plug-In: If you installed your Echo360 remote plug in prior to mid-December 2019, you are strongly encouraged to update it to obtain access to significantly improved functionality. Updating your plugin involves REMOVING the existing non-CIM plugin, then following the below instructions to install a CIM plugin and the associated configurations.

Echo360 can be added as a Remote Plugin that allows users to easily insert their Echo360 media into content windows. 

Once configured, the Echo360 plugin is accessed through the Insert Stuff button, identified in the below figure. It provides users with a list of embeddable media from their Echo360 library, that they can then select and embed directly into Brightspace content windows. 

Brightspace module with create file window open and Insert Stuff button identified

The Echo360 embed media plugin provides authentication for all users viewing embedded media, which allows Echo360 to provide detailed viewing data and unique viewer statistics for embedded media. It also provides the ability to embed interactive media (videos with embedded polling questions) into Brightspace courses. 

After creating the Plugin, you should also add the Echo360 URL to the Trusted Sites list (along with a wildcard asterisk). This will eliminate the need for users to individually allow the Echo360 URL for embedded media. The entry specifically should look something like this: https://echo360.org/*  but using your regional URL as appropriate.

As with ALL LMS/VLE instructions, the information provided here is done so as a guide to help you with configuring Echo360 interoperability. Refer to your Brightspace documentation as needed for further instructions.

Enabling the LTI Content Item Messaging variable

Echo360 now supports the use of the LTI content item message specification. To take advantage of this in D2L/Brightspace, you have to enable the variable.

To enable the content item messaging variable

  1. As a Brightspace admin, navigate to the Account and select the Settings icon from the top right corner.
  2. Select Config Variable Browser as shown in the below figure.
    Admin Settings options with Config Variable Browser selection identified as described
  3. From the Config Variable Browser list of variables on the left, select Tools.
  4. From the Tools list, select Lti.
  5. From the Lti list, select ContentItemMessaging.
  6. Under ContentItemMessaging select IsEnabled.
    Content Item Messaging variable page with isEnabled field identified as described
  7. If the value shown is Off, click the pencil icon and change it to On.
    Content Item Messaging variable page with edit value icon identified as described
  8. Click Save.

Create or Update the Remote Plugin for Echo360

Once the Content Item Messaging variable is enabled, you can create your remote plugin for embedding Echo360 videos into Brightspace content windows. Remember that if you are UPDATING your plugin, delete the old (non-CIM) one and create a new one using the below instructions. Existing embeds will continue to work and new ones will be fully authenticated, providing viewing analytics and access to interactive media.

To create a Remote Plugin for embedding Echo360 videos into Brightspace

  1. As a Brightspace admin, navigate to the Account and select the Settings icon from the top right corner. 
    Admin Settings options with Remote Plugin selection identified as described
  2. Select Remote Plugins from the options shown. 
  3. In the Manage Remote Plugins page, click New Remote Plugin.
    The Create a new Remote Plugin form appears. 
    Create a new Remote Plugin dialog box with fields completed as described
  4. For Plugin Type select Insert Stuff (CIM) (do not select the non-CIM option! If you do, the plugin will not work.).
  5. Add a Name that clearly identifies this as the Echo360 library plugin.
  6. For Launch Point URL, paste the Host URL value from the Desire2Learn LMS Configuration fields in Echo360.

    NOTE: If you already have an Echo360 Learning Tool configured, you may be able to leave the Key and Secret fields blank, as the URL should point to the existing tool and use the values there. Refer to your Brightspace documentation for more information if you are not sure. Entering them here does no harm even if they are identical to those in the existing tool.

  7. Enter a Description and Icon URL if desired. These are optional though Description is recommended.
    You can enter the following URL for use as the Plugin icon: https://echo360.org/assets/images/echoLogoSquare.png (using your region's base Echo360 URL if appropriate - echo360.net.au, echo360.org.uk, echo360.ca). 
  8. At the bottom of the form, click Add Org Units.
  9. Find the main Organizational unit (or the one to which you want to make this Echo360 embed option available).
  10. Check the box for the organizational unit, and select to make the link available for All descendants of the org unit, as shown in the below figure.
    This ensures the option is available within the Insert Stuff button for all courses or other objects created within that organization/department.
    Organizational unit list with Echo360 department enabled and All descendants option selected as described
     
  11. Click Insert to enter this change in the Remote Plugin form. Repeat if enabling the option for different organizations separately.
  12. Click Save.

As mentioned above, you may also want to add the Echo360 URL to the Trusted Sites list, to avoid users encountering a popup message regarding trusting the URL for the embeds.
 

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