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EchoVideo: Adding a Remote Plugin to Brightspace for Embedding Media

Echo360
  • Updated

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

EchoVideo can be added as a Remote Plugin, allowing users to easily insert their EchoVideo media into content windows. 

Once configured, the EchoVideo plugin is accessed through the Insert Stuff button, identified in the below figure. It provides users with a list of embeddable media from their EchoVideo 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 EchoVideo embed media plugin authenticates all users viewing embedded media, enabling EchoVideo to provide detailed viewing data and unique viewer statistics. It also allows embedding interactive media (videos with embedded polling questions) into Brightspace courses. 

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

As with all LMS / VLE instructions, the information provided here is a guide to help you configure EchoVideo interoperability. Refer to your Brightspace documentation as needed for further instructions.

Enabling the LTI Content Item Messaging variable

EchoVideo now supports 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 EchoVideo

Once the Content Item Messaging variable is enabled, you can create your remote plugin for embedding EchoVideo media 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 instructions below. 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 EchoVideo media 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 EchoVideo library plugin.

  6. For Launch Point URL, paste the Host URL value from the Desire2Learn LMS Configuration fields in EchoVideo.

    Note: If you already have an EchoVideo Learning Tool configured, you may be able to leave the Key and Secret fields blank, since the URL should point to the existing tool and use its values. 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 EchoVideo 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 you want to make this EchoVideo embed option available in).
  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 EchoVideo URL to the Trusted Sites list to prevent users from seeing a pop-up asking them to trust the embed URL.
 

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