Getting Started in Brightspace – Your Top Ten Steps

1. In your module site, review your module content units, lessons and folders (e.g change from weeks to themes if needed) by changing existing structure, adding or deleting as needed

2. Add your content files into the Resources folder in the Manage Files tool (not visible to students) and link the files to your module main page (visible to students).

• Admin>Manage Files> add your files to 1-Resources-Files folder
• If you have requested your material to be migrated from Sulis, tidy it up in Manage Files
• Return to main page by pressing Content in Nav bar, click the section you want the file to go and insert file: Add Existing>choose More (…)>Course File>1-Resource files and insert file.
• Make the file visible/invisible until you are ready to display it and order the reading sequence.

Top tip: using the ‘Drop and drop’ feature is not recommended as you will not be able to find your file again!

3. Develop your content in your module

1. In the Navbar, click Content>select a unit, lesson or folder>click Create New>click HTML doc>click Select Template dropdown menu. Edit this.
   •  Use the Insert link icon  to insert course files, weblinks, checklists, assignments, discussions and much more.
   •  Use Insert Stuff icon  to include video and audio notes, links to videos, websites, etc.
2. In the Navbar, click Content>select a unit, lesson or folder>click Add Existing>External Tool Activity to insert content from external tools (OneDrive, MsTeams meetings, BBB, Leganto, and Panopto).

4. Add additional participants (TAs and other lecturers) in Class Organisation>Classlist tool

5. Edit your calendar, discussion boards, and chat as needed

6. Unhide your content units as needed and set up release conditions

7. Publish your site in Admin>Course Offering Information

8. Send your first announcement

Tip: promote the Brightspace Pulse app among your students so they get notifications on their phones.

9. Create your assignments (Assignments, Quizzes and Discussions) and Rubrics. Collect your assignments, grade and provide feedback

10. If you decide to use the Grades tool (which is not essential):  

• Set up your gradebook (Categories first) in Grades tool
• Synchronise your gradebook with Assignments, Discussion, and Quizzes
• Grade in Assignments, Quizzes and Discussions and save as Draft
• When you are ready to release grades, change status to Published in the tool (Assignments, Quizzes and Discussions)

Tip: Grades is most useful when you have multiple continuous assessment items to manage and display to your students, but it is important to set it up correctly BEFORE you start grading. Attend training and consult a learning technologist before working on Grades.