ÌýWrapping up the Fall term

• Schedule a consultation: It’s grading time for the winter. Schedule a consultation where TLS staff can help with gradebook questions or review your settings.
• Communicate with your students: All Brightspace courses have start and end dates based on the first day of class and last day of the exam period. If you want to communicate with your students after the course end date has passed, or before the summer start date has arrived, send an email in the Brightspace Classlist. Announcements in Brightspace don’t get sent to students outside the start and end dates in a course. They can be pre-scheduled for release for the first day of class though.
• Explore grading tutorials for Brightspace: Watch the tutorial on dive deeper into the or share the video tutorial of

Unwrapping the Winter term ahead

• Consult the course setup guide: Wondering how to start building your Brightspace course site? Work your way through the course setup guide to ensure you include all the important course elements.
• Merge your courses prior to adding content: If you’re teaching multiple sections of the same course and want to merge them into one in Brightspace, fill out the before you’ve built any course content. Courses can only be merged prior to student activity in the course.
• Create a course overview tour: Help your students navigate your Brightspace course by creating a short video that explains where to find key course content.
• Activate your course to allow students access: Courses are hidden by default when they are created. You’ll need to activate your course to share it with your students.
• Update your Zoom software for maximum performance: If you use the Zoom client (desktop application), you will need to each term to ensure you have access to the newest features, fixes and settings. The desktop app offers a fuller, feature rich experience over a browser-based session. With the start of term on the horizon, it’s a great time to ensure you’re getting the most out of your tools.

Whether you’re wrapping up the winter or unwrapping the summer term, TLS is ready to help. Fill out a course consultation request to meet with support staff or submit your question to the .

• Consult the course setup guide: Wondering how to start building your Brightspace course site? Work your way through the course setup guide to ensure you include all the important course elements.
• Merge your courses prior to adding content: If you’re teaching multiple sections of the same course and want to merge them into one in Brightspace, fill out the before you’ve built any course content. Courses can only be merged prior to student activity in the course.
• Create a course overview tour: Help your students navigate your Brightspace course by creating a short video that explains where to find key course content.
• Activate your course to allow students access: Courses are hidden by default when they are created. You’ll need to activate your course to share it with your students.
• Update your Zoom software: If you use the Zoom client (desktop application), you will need to each term to ensure you have access to the newest features, fixes and settings.

If you have any questions, contact TLS for support. Complete a course consultation request to meet with TLS staff for assistance with your course design and setup or submit your question to the .

• Consult the course setup guide: Wondering how to start building your Brightspace course site? Work your way through theÌýcourse setup guideÌýto ensure you include all the important course elements.
• Merge your courses prior to adding content:ÌýIf you’re teaching multiple sections of the same course and want to merge them into one in Brightspace, fill out theÌýcourse merge request formearly, before you’ve built any course content. Courses can only be merged prior to student activity in the course.
• Create a course overview tour:ÌýHelp your students navigate your Brightspace course byÌýcreating aÌýshort video that explains where to find key course content.
• Activate your course to allow students access: Courses are hidden by default when they are created by ITS. You’ll need to activate your course to share it with your students.
• Update your Zoom software:ÌýIf you use theÌý, you will need to update to the latest version each term to ensure you have access to the newest features, fixes and settings.

If you have any questions, connect with TLS for support. Complete aÌýcourse consultation request to meet with TLS staff for assistance with your course design and setup or submit your question to the .

ÌýWrapping up your fall term in Brightspace

• Drop-ins are available for sign up: It’s grading time for the fall. If you have gradebook questions, or want TLS staff to check over your settings, we are ready to help. Register for one of our drop-in sessions:
  • Dec. 7– Brightspace Support Hour
  • Dec. 9– Gradebook Clinic
  • Dec. 14– Gradebook Clinic
  • Dec. 16– Brightspace Support Hour
• Tips for communicating with your students: All Brightspace courses have start and end dates based on the first and last day of class. If you want to communicate with your students after the course end date has passed, or before the winter start date has arrived, send anÌýemail in the Brightspace Classlist.ÌýAnnouncements in BrightspaceÌýdon’t get sent to students outside the start and end dates in a course. They can be pre-scheduled for release for the first day of class though.
• ExploreÌýgradingÌýtutorials for Brightspace:ÌýTLS has created a Brightspace channel for instructors and students in Mediaspace. Watch the tutorial onÌýdive deeper in theÌýor share the video tutorial ofÌý

Unwrapping the winter term ahead

• Consult the course setup guide: Wondering how to start building your Brightspace course site? Work your way through theÌýcourse setup guideÌýto ensure you include all the important course elements. If you get stuck, complete aÌýcourse consultation request formÌýand TLS staff will meet with you to help you stay on track.
• Merge your courses prior to adding content: If you’re teaching multiple sections of the same course and want to merge them into one in Brightspace, fill out theÌýcourse merge request formÌýearly, before you’ve built any course content. Courses can only be merged prior to student activity in the course.
• Create a course overview tour:ÌýHelp your students navigate your Brightspace course byÌýcreating aÌýshort video that explains where to find key course content.
• Activate your course to allow students access: Courses are hidden by default when they are created by ITS. You’ll need to activate your course to share it with your students. For instructions, seeÌýmake courses active.
• Update your Zoom software for maximum performance: If you use theÌý, you will need to update to the latest version each term to ensure you have access to the newest features, fixes and settings. TheÌýdesktop appÌýoffers a fuller, feature rich experience over a browser-based session. With the start of term on the horizon, it’s a great time to ensure you’re getting the most out of your tools.

Whether you’re wrapping up the fall or unwrapping the winter term, TLS is ready to help. Fill out aÌýcourse consultation requestÌýto meet with support staff or submit your question to theÌý.

On the Brightspace Support site you’ll find a Course Setup Guide with a helpful checklist, tips and reminders for your pre-term setup. You can also explore a video overview of all of and a , along with links to helpful guides and sample courses.

Wondering how other instructors have set up their courses? Watch a or one of our recordings. You’ll hear directly from your colleagues about what worked for them and what didn’t.

Get to know Brightspace with short video tours

We’ve created a Teaching and Learning Services (TLS) Mediaspace channel for , and a channel for too, with quick tours of common course tasks in Brightspace.

Our student overview tours give a helpful look at completing a quiz, submitting an assignment or reviewing grades. It’s the perfect resource to share with your students as you head into final exams. There’s also a helpful video tour for ahead of the winter 2022 term.

Explore new training topics to expand your skill set

If you’d like to learn more about the LMS, and are looking for deeper exploration and training, watch one of our workshop recordings, such as , orÌý We add new videos regularly, so check back often for more offerings.

Connect with TLS for support

You have more help available for the learning management system than ever before. TLS can suggest resources, provide training and demonstrations, and answer your questions. Request a course consultation or submit your request to the and we’ll be in touch!

Get to Know Brightspace

The more you explore the new system, the more confident you’ll become. To help you get started, TLS has developedÌýa Brightspace TA Support website, where you can find documentation on how to navigate and use the system. You can also visit the to watch aÌý and short videos on common Brightspace activities, such as using the .

SupportÌý

D2L providesÌý for Brightspace 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year via email, chat and phone. If you need support for tools that integrate into Brightspace, such as Zoom, BigBlueButton, H5P and Kaltura/Mediaspace, submit your request through the . TLS also offersÌýconsultations for TAsÌýlooking for one-on-one assistance.

TA Central Hub

The new TA Central Hub in Brightspace is a space for TAs to watch pre-recorded training videos, access resource materials and share resources related to online teaching. If you are a new TA and would like to enroll in the hub, please contactÌýSam Shortt. Individuals who were previously enrolled in the cuLearn TA Central Hub have been automatically enrolled in the Brightspace version.

If you do not yet have Brightspace courses available to you, you can self-enrol in a sample course by visiting the in Brightspace. On the Discover page, click to self-enrol in the Brightspace Tools Course to explore and see examples of all the tools available in the new LMS.

cuLearn access will continue for approximately two years via the usual to allow for content review and assignment/grade retrieval. After this two-year period, content will be archived and available by request only. As always, course access is at the discretion of the instructor and courses may be made inactive at any time. If you are looking for a previous cuLearn course and it is not available, contact the instructor.

SupportÌý

D2L provides for Brightspace 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year via email, chat and phone. If you need support for tools that integrate into Brightspace, such as Zoom, BigBlueButton, H5P and Kaltura/Mediaspace, submit your request through the . TLS will also be offering consultations for TAsÌýlooking for one-on-one assistance.

TLS has developed a Brightspace TA Support website, where you can find documentation on how to navigate and use the system. You can also watch this to help you get started on the new system.

Training

There are several TA-focused training sessions running this month. ToÌýregisterÌýfor a session, or for any questions about training,ÌýpleaseÌýcontact Sam Shortt, Educational Development Coordinator, TLS.

• Overview of Brightspace
  • May 10ÌýfromÌý2Ìý–Ìý3:30Ìýp.m.
  • May 18 from 10:30 a.m. – 12p.m.
• Working with Assignments
  • May 11ÌýfromÌý2Ìý–Ìý3:30Ìýp.m.
  • May 20 from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Working with Quizzes and Discussions
  • May 13ÌýfromÌý2Ìý–Ìý3:30Ìýp.m.
  • May 21 from 10:30 a.m. -12 p.m.

TA Central Hub

The new TA Central Hub in Brightspace is a space for TAs to watch pre-recorded training videos, access resource materials and share resources related to online teaching.

Individuals who were previously enrolled in the cuLearn TA Central Hub have been automatically enrolled in the Brightspace version. If you are a new TA and would like to enroll in the hub, please contact Sam Shortt.

There are many ways to learn and engage with Brightspace. Teaching and Learning Services (TLS) hasÌýa varietyÌýof resources,Ìýsupport andÌýtraining to help you begin.ÌýÌý

Register for BrightspaceÌýtrainingÌý

Instructor–focusedÌýBrightspace Basics workshopsÌýcontinue this month. They provideÌýaÌýmoreÌýcompleteÌýoverview of all the basic tools involved in an initial course setÌýup. Intermediate/Advanced workshops areÌýalsoÌýavailableÌýonÌýa variety ofÌýtopics, such asÌýassignments andÌýrubrics,Ìýquizzes,Ìýdiscussions,ÌýandÌýgradebook.ÌýRegister for an upcoming sessionÌýor checkÌýout recordings of past sessions on the newÌý.Ìý

ReviewÌýmigratedÌýcuLearnÌýcontent orÌýstartÌýfreshÌý

ITSÌýandÌýD2LÌýcontinue to migrate course content fromÌýcuLearnÌýto Brightspace. To date,ÌýapproximatelyÌý20,000ÌýcoursesÌýhave been migrated.ÌýOnce you log in to Brightspace, you’ll findÌýyour migrated courses under the Converted tab of the MyCourses widget—if your course is not yet available, check back soonÌýor reach out if you have concerns.ÌýIf you’re teachingÌýthis summer, course shellsÌýareÌýavailable under the summer 2021 tabÌýon yourÌýÌýÌý

As you start to build your course, you may choose to rework migratedÌýcuLearnÌýcontent or start fresh in Brightspace.ÌýNew web pages forÌýCourse Migration ResourcesÌýandÌýCourse Setup ResourcesÌýon the Brightspace Support Site can help with this process.Ìý

Connect with TLS forÌýcourseÌýsupportÌýÌý

If you would like to review your migrated cuLearn content or explore aÌýfreshÌýBrightspace course setupÌýwith the TLS team, please complete theÌýBrightspace Consultation Request Form.ÌýÌý

Remember that extensive instructions and guides are also available on theÌýInstructor Support Site,ÌýStudent Support SiteÌýandÌýTA Support Site. If you need technical support, submit your request to the Ìýor contactÌýÌýÌýÌý

PeekÌýinside a BrightspaceÌýcourse andÌýhearÌýfromÌýaÌýpilotÌýinstructorÌý

Curious to see an example of a Brightspace course in action? SignÌýup forÌýthis month’sÌýWelcome to My Online ClassroomÌýsessionÌýwith BrightspaceÌýpilotÌýinstructor,ÌýJulieÌýMcCarroll.ÌýShe’ll be discussing herÌýwinter 2021 Brightspace course and herÌýexperienceÌýteaching in theÌýpilot. Many more Brightspace ShowcaseÌýevents will be coming up throughout April and May.ÌýStay tunedÌýfor upcoming opportunities!Ìý

Pilot launch

This term, our Brightspace pilot launches, with 31 courses representing graduate and undergraduate programs across the disciplines. Instructors, students and TAs in the pilot will test out the settings and integrations in Brightspace and report back any adjustments that need to be made. This important project will help ensure that the new system will be optimized for the entire campus community when Brightspace launches for all courses in May.

Coming soon – sandboxes and training

Campus-wide access to Brightspace and to sandbox courses will be granted in February – just a few short weeks away! With the access to Brightspace, TLS will be offering a range of online training workshops next month. Registration will be available on our events page. Check back in the coming weeks to sign up for a session.

In the spring, Brightspace pilot instructors will be showcasing their courses and inviting the campus in to explore what teaching and learning can look like in the new system. TLS will be taking the LMS on the road in a few weeks too! We’ll be visiting departments across ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ to discuss Brightspace, and the training and support plans for the campus.

Support

In preparation for course development, we’ve launched a new Brightspace Support website with some preliminary support pages, with many more pages to come over the next few months. Round-the-clock direct support for the LMS has also started with 24/7/365 support from D2L for instructors, staff and students.

Curious to look inside the Brightspace interface? Check out the video for a short introduction from the student point of view, or join the to start your journey on a self-guided learning path.

We look forward to working with you to get your course ready in ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´’s new LMS, Brightspace!

A new feature we’re excited about this month is Course Builder in Brightspace. Course Builder allows you to easily setup the entire layout and structure of your course by dragging and dropping course modules and activities onto a course canvas for customization later. Poof! — just like that you’ve added course elements such as modules, assignments and forums by drag and drop to your course page. All that’s left is to customize the dates and details.

We like this tool because it makes setup fast. Course Builder allows you to see the progression, flow and main assessments of your site easily. If there’s one thing we all need right now, it’s to make course setup easier and more efficient.

Look for workshops and support opportunities in the new year on how to use Course Builder to get your course up and running quickly and easily.