Do you want to share a file such as a PDF, image, or video with your students, and maybe even families? There are various ways you can accomplish this; see the table below. Each option has a section in this article containing more details and links for additional information.
Method | Best Use |
A class announcement | |
A learning activity | |
A conversation with students | |
A resources or reference item that you'd like to add to the student's personal library for future use. | |
A graded piece of student work. | |
An email message to student and family email inboxes. | |
A way to highlight noteworthy student work, achievements, or milestones | |
A way to document student information (family accounts do not have access). |
Image Requirements:
Acceptable file types: png, jpeg, jpg, and gif.
There is no resolution limit
The max file size is 30mb*
Video Requirements:
Acceptable file types: mp4, mov, webm
Max length (when using in-app recorder): 5 minutes*
Max file size (when uploading from device): 30mb*
Advanced Assessments have different size/length criteria than what is mentioned above. Continue reading for more details.
Class Board
The Class Board is used to post announcements for both students and parents to see.
When is this the best option?
If the file is to be used as part of a class announcement.
Details
Multiple files can be added to a single post.
Both students and parents will be able to see the image/video.
You can enable or disable student commenting on the post.
You can schedule the post to be released at a later date.
Students and parents are sent a notification when a class board post is made.
You can pin a class board post to the top of the page.
Lesson
The Lessons Module can be used to create and distribute tasks and resources to students.
When is this the best option?
If the file is to be used as part of a learning activity.
Details
You can ask a question about the file (like an image or video) using a Question Activity.
You can schedule lessons to be released at a later date.
Students and parents are sent a notification when a lesson is assigned.
Blog
The Blog allows teachers to have informal and conversational-style communication. It can be used for both whole-class communication and private communication.
When is this the best option?
If the file is to be used as a conversation with students.
Details
Multiple files can be added to a single blog post.
Both students and parents will be able to see the file.
You can enable or disable student commenting on the post.
You can schedule the post to be released at a later date.
Students and parents are sent a notification when a blog post is made.
Bookshelf
The Bookshelf is a place for teachers to upload and distribute resources to their students.
When is this the best option?
If the file could be used as a resource or reference item that you'd like to add to the student's personal library for future use.
Details
You can share resources on the bookshelf with individual students, groups of students, or entire classes.
It is a great way to provide resources without needing to include them in a lesson or assessment.
You can also use this method to give students individualized feedback unrelated to an assessment.
Both the student and family will have access to the image/video.
Rubric, Simple, or Advanced Assessment
Rubric  | Simple  | Advanced  |
When is this the best option?
If the file is to be used as part of an assessment.
Details
Rubric - image/video can be added as an attachment to any rubric assessment. Students will click on a link in the upper-left to view the image/video.
Simple - image/video can be added to any question to display along with the question content.
Advanced - image can be used to write/draw on or add boxes for responses. Video can be included in any question. The maximum file size is 100mb for both images and videos. The max length for a video taken live in Otus is 10 minutes.
💡 Tip from the Otus Team : if choosing to not use it for a grade, add that information to the instructions when you assign the assessment, so the student's are reassured.
Mailbox
The Mailbox feature allows teachers to send texts or emails to students and parents. It also allows parents to send message to teachers.
When is this the best option?
If you want to send the file as part of an email message.
Details
Images can be added as attachments. The maximum file size is 30mb.
Videos can be added by using a link, such as from YouTube or Google Drive.
You can choose any combination of students and family members to send the message to.
Family members and students will be able to view the content in their email inbox.
Family members and students can reply back to your message; the reply will go directly to your email inbox.
Portfolio
The Student Portfolio is a place to keep items of student work, including assessments, blog posts, artifacts, and uploads. Any work added to the portfolio can be seen by teacher, student, and family accounts.
When is this the best option?
If the file is intended to highlight noteworthy student content, achievements, or milestones.
Details
Both students and parents can access the information on the student portfolio.
Items here will travel with the student from year-to-year, unless they are removed.
Students and teachers can leave comments on items in the portfolio.
💡 Tip: the portfolio is not organized by class, rather, it is specific to each student.
Attachment to the Student Profile
The Student Profile serves as the home for individual student information.
When is this the best option?
If the file is not something the students or parents need access to, but still needs to be associated with that student (for example, a list of IEP accommodations).
Details:
Images/videos added here can't be seen by the student or families.
Attachments here can be seen by any of the student's teachers.
Anything added here will stay with the student from year-to-year, unless it is removed.