Learning Brightspace by D2L

Course details

Brightspace is a highly customizable learning management system from D2L that helps instructors manage higher education. It offers a flexible UI and supports blended classrooms and online learning. In this course, find out how easy it is to get started. Join instructor Alan Ackmann as he explores essential features and best practices you need to know to teach with Brightspace. Learn how to customize the Brightspace interface, communicate with students, enhance and streamline grading and feedback, and enable common classroom practices ranging from taking attendance to securely distributing materials in an in person or online format.

Plus, see how to add quizzes, customize the Brightspace experience to improve accessibility for all users, and enhance the community and collaboration in your classroom with tools like discussion boards and feedback. Along the way, Alan shares tips that can help you work more efficiently and effectively with this powerful LMS.

Learning objectives
Explain the meaning of a course management system and recognize the connected nature of different Brightspace components.
Devise appropriate strategies for communicating with different student groups using Brightspace tools and features.
Manage Brightspace facilitated classroom tasks, discussions, data, and information more efficiently.
Grade and assess student work through Brightspace’s gradebook, quizzes, and rubrics.
Design a Brightspace environment that aligns with your specific course needs and objectives.
Enhance your skill with D2L through other resources and plug-ins.

Concepts

0. Introduction

01 - Enhance your potential with Brightspace by D2L
02 - What is a course management system
03 - The modular nature of D2L

1. Brightspace and Communicating with Students

04 - The D2L content editor
05 - Communicate through the activity feed
06 - Email students in Brightspace
07 - Use the course calendar tool in Brightspace
08 - Automate intelligent agents with Brightspace
09 - Set up a user profile in Brightspace

2. Brightspace and Classroom Management

10 - Set up the course content tab
11 - Use the attendance tool in Brightspace
12 - Set up assignment folders
13 - Set up course discussion boards
14 - Distribute D2L Brightspace awards
15 - Access and track student progress
16 - View classwide statistics and data
17 - Poll students through D2L surveys
18 - Set up student self-assessments
19 - Manage dates tool
20 - Create D2L small groups

3. Brightspace and Assessing Student Work

21 - Set up quizzes and exams
22 - Add question to quizzes
23 - Develop a question library
24 - Gain insight through quiz question reporting
25 - Set up an assignment rubric
26 - Design a custom rubric
27 - View nuanced rubric reporting
28 - Set up a self-calculating gradebook
29 - Add gradebook items and categories
30 - Leave feedback in the gradebook

4. Customizing Brightspace

31 - Import, export, or copy D2L course components
32 - Develop a course homepage
33 - Customize the navigation bar
34 - Create a custom theme
35 - Customize a course image
36 - Set up release conditions
37 - Activate your course

Conclusion

38 - Next steps

Learning Brightspace by D2L

Authors

Alan Ackmann