Accessibility & inclusivity

Once a transcript has been generated, it can be viewed alongside the media.

The Scribe below outlines how to view the transcript, how to use the search function, and how to download a copy of the transcript.

Once transcripts have been applied to a capture or video, you may want to review or manage them. It is important to note that automatic transcripts are not 100% accurate, especially when dealing with specialist topics.

The accuracy of transcription is influenced by a range of factors, including the quality of the audio recording, background noise, variations in accent and intonation, and the presence of technical or specialised language.

Who can edit transcripts?

The owner of a video can edit its transcript. This means that if you recorded or uploaded the video yourself, or if you are listed as the Instructor for a module in EchoVideo, you will have permission to make changes. If you would like a colleague to help review and correct the automated transcript, they will need to be given access to your Moodle course. Our guide on roles and their function in Moodle gives information on roles and permissions.

Accessing the Transcript Editor

The Transcript editor can be accessed either from the Media Icon button in your class list of recordings or the Media Details page from your EchoVideo Library or any Collection where you have edit transcript permissions.

Uploading a transcript file for editing

There may be times when you have a transcription that you want to upload to your media on EchoVideo. It may be a file generated via manual transcription, or a transcript you downloaded previously and edited offline. This can be done in the Transcript Editor; full details can be found in the EchoVideo guide: Uploading a Transcript File for editingLink opens in a new window.

To upload your file:

1. Open the Transcript Editor in the Media Details page by selecting the Transcript icon
2. On the Transcript page, you will see the options on the right of the screen to upload or export a file
3. Use the filepicker to upload your file; note the file must be a .vtt file
4. Once uploaded, the file is given the next version number and is immediately applied to your media
5. You can also edit the transcript again once uploaded, information is outined in the Scribe below.

This Scribe below shows how to use the Transcript Editor to make edits, add, edit or delete Speaker information and save changes.

In some cases, allowing students to contribute to transcript corrections can improve accuracy, particularly where specialist terminology, names, or subject-specific language are involved. Student contributions can also support accessibility and help maintain high-quality learning resources. Any student editing should be appropriately managed to ensure changes remain accurate and consistent. Turning on this feature allows all students enrolled on the Moodle course to edit class-published media; permission cannot be granted to individual students.

The Scribe below shows how a course Instructor can turn on the student editing feature in EchoVideo for class transcripts.

While a transcript appears separately from the recording, captions are displayed on screen with the video or audio. Once a transcript is available in EchoVideo, it can be applied as Closed Captions on the video.

The Scribe below shows how to apply closed captions to your recording.

Access to lecture recordings can play an important role in creating an inclusive learning environment. Recordings support students in a variety of ways, including revisiting complex concepts and studying at their own pace or to suit a particular learning style. Ensuring students can access recordings helps remove barriers to learning and enables all learners to engage with teaching in a way that best supports their individual needs.

If you need to provide access to recordings for specific students or groups, visit our guidance on sharing direct recording links and sharing collections with selected users.

The University of Warwick is committed to providing an accessible digital learning environment and EchoVideo is reported by the supplier as compliant with WCAG 2.1 AA standardsLink opens in a new window.

Some accessibility limitations may apply:

• Content uploaded before 23 September 2020 may not include captions or transcripts. These can be requested if needed.
• Pre-recorded audio and video published before 23 September 2020 is outside the scope of the regulations and may not have captions, transcripts, audio descriptions, or sign language interpretation.
• The University considers manual checking and correction of all automatically generated captions and transcripts to be a disproportionate burden under the accessibility regulations.
• Automatically generated captions and transcripts may contain inaccuracies.

Any users who encounter accessibility issues should contact helpdesk@warwick.ac.uk.

EchoVideo is provided by Echo360 as part of the EchoSystem, and is the University of Warwick’s lecture capture platform. It offers three options for recording - Automated Lecture Capture, Universal and Browser Capture.

• Automated Lecture Capture offers scheduled capture of content in supported rooms with various options of what to capture.
• Universal and Browser Capture allow for the capture of teaching material outside of supported Lecture Capture spaces using personal or managed University devices.
• EchoVideo captures are stored and managed on the Echo360 websiteLink opens in a new window. Staff and students typically access them via the EchoVideo block in Moodle, although staff involved in administration or support may also access and manage recordings directly through the Echo360 site.
• Echo360 comply with the internationally recognised Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 Level AA, visit their website for their accessibility statementLink opens in a new window and further details.
• Content hosted on EchoVideo is designed to be accessible from a variety of devices and operating systems.
• Echo360 are committed to equitable, accessible learning. When you visit their website or the EchoVideo platform, on the right hand side of the page, you can access their UserWay widget .
• UserWay is a web accessibility tool that provides several options to assist users of their site. Using the widget opens up a menu with features such as the option to enlarge text, pause animations, change the saturation and contrast and also includes Dyslexia Friendly page and text options. Currently, the UserWay accessibility widget is not supported in the player or during browser capture, you can find out more at EchoVideo's UserWay guidanceLink opens in a new window.

General guidance is available across the University on accessibility:

• Information for staff supporting students can be accessed via Wellbeing and Student Support. They have a host of information available from creating accessible resources to training sessions for staff.
• LinkedIn Learning has courses available on accessibility and inclusion.
• Visit Inclusive Education, part of the Dean of Students office, for lots of information, toolkits, training and guidance on how best to support every student.
• Digital Learning's Moodle Ally course, supporting staff to develop accessible, well designed content.
• Visit EchoVideo's articles and guidance on digital accessibilityLink opens in a new window for detailed information.