How to get a SRT or VTT file for your online course

With the rise of online learning, video content has become a crucial aspect of educational content. Video lectures, tutorials, and presentations are being used more and more by instructors to impart knowledge to their students. However, videos are not always accessible to everyone, especially to those with hearing impairments. This is where SRT or VTT files come in. SRT (SubRip Text) and VTT (Web Video Text Tracks) files are caption files that allow viewers to read the transcript of the video's audio in real-time.

These files can be used to create closed captions or subtitles, which are essential for accessibility purposes. If you're creating an online course or video tutorial, it's important to provide captioning options to make it accessible to a wider audience. Here's how you can get an SRT or VTT file for your online course:

1. Create a Transcript

The first step in creating an SRT or VTT file is to create a transcript of your video's audio. A transcript is a written document that includes all the spoken words in the video. You can either create the transcript yourself or hire a transcription service to do it for you. Creating a transcript yourself can be time-consuming, but it's an excellent way to ensure that the transcript is accurate and captures all the nuances of the spoken words. Alternatively, you can use automatic transcription services such as Happy Scribe which use AI technology to transcribe your video automatically.

While these services can be helpful, it's important to review the transcript for accuracy as they can still make errors. Some video-hosting platforms also offer automatic transcription services. In these situations, when you upload your video, the transcription automatically starts and is available quickly. However, as with any AI source, it will need to be reviewed and potentially edited to ensure its accuracy.

2. Convert the Transcript to SRT or VTT

Once you have a transcript, you can convert it to an SRT or VTT file. There are many free online tools that can help you do this, such as Kapwing, SubtitleBee, or Rev.com. Using these tools is simple. You upload the transcript, and the tool will convert it into the desired format, either SRT or VTT. Once the conversion is complete, you can download the file and add it to your video. Alternatively, some platforms do this step automatically, much like auto-transcription services. For example, Vimeo, one of the fastest-growing video-hosting platforms, offers paid users the opportunity to automatically create these files by uploading their videos.

3. Upload the SRT or VTT file to your video

The final step is to upload the SRT or VTT file to your video. Most video hosting platforms, such as YouTube, Vimeo, or Wistia, support caption files. You can add the caption file to your video through the platform's captioning tools. If you're using a learning management system (LMS) to host your online course, check if the LMS supports caption files. Most LMS platforms, such as Canvas or Blackboard, support caption files and provide tools for adding them. Adding captions to your video will make it more accessible to a broader audience. It will also improve your course engagement as it can help students who prefer to read the transcript while watching the video.

Why creating SRT or VTT files is important

Providing captions or subtitles to your online course video content is essential for making it accessible to all learners. Creating an SRT or VTT file for your video is simple and can be done in a few easy steps. By following the steps outlined above, you can create caption files for your video and improve the accessibility of your online course. Reaching as many viewers as possible is the goal when producing content. This is how creators get the information they are sharing to the world. Without creating SRT and VTT files, there would be no subtitles, making the content inaccessible for many. In addition, subtitles increase engagement in online courses by keeping the audience's attention focused on the content. Those who learn better with words are more likely to pay better attention when there are subtitles than when they are not present. You can reach individuals who are non-native speakers who want to enjoy your content. For these individuals, having the subtitles present helps to fill in the gaps when the spoken words are not enough for them to comprehend what is being said. Finally, subtitles make your content accessible to those with hearing impairments. In addition, they can help you comply with ADA requirements in the United States.

Create SRT or VTT files with Happy Scribe

Happy Scribe is a powerful transcription tool that can help you get SRT or VTT files for your online course videos quickly and easily. With Happy Scribe, you can upload your video files and have them transcribed automatically using AI technology. You can then edit the transcripts to ensure accuracy and download the transcript in various formats, including SRT and VTT. Happy Scribe also allows you to embed the captions directly into your video, making it easy to add captions to your online course videos. With its user-friendly interface and quick turnaround time, Happy Scribe is a great tool to help you create accessible online course content.

Don't forget your SRT and VTT files for your content

The process is amazingly simple, with all the options available for obtaining SRT and VTT files. If you're looking for reliability and accuracy, turn to Happy Scribe for the best results. With its straightforward user interface, you'll have no problem quickly and efficiently adding subtitles to all your content, creating greater accessibility and reaching a broader audience. It's essential to obtain these files to ensure you have subtitles on all your important content, as it will allow you to reach as many viewers as possible. Enabling non-native speakers, those who struggle with learning challenges, and individuals with hearing impairments to also reap the benefits of viewing your content. So, when your video is ready to post, don't forget the SRT or VTT file to create your subtitles.