This Guide walks you through the basics in Brightspace, such as finding and pinning your course for easy access, create a Brightspace Profile, creating a news item, and emailing your classlist. Also, if you wish to become more familiar with the terminology used in Brightspace (e.g. what is a widget?), be sure to check out the content under the Common Terminology Used in Brightspace tab.
If you have questions that are not answered in this Guide or the FAQ page, please let us know at asktei@sjcme.edu.
Common Terminology in Brightspace
Wondering what a widget or a course navigation bar is? How about a module or Dropbox?
Watch this video to learn some of the most frequently used terminology when it comes to Brightspace.
Common Terminology in Brightspace (6 minutes)
Why should I pin my course?
If you teach several courses or several sections, it may be difficult to easily locate the course or section you are currently teaching. Pinning your course in Brightspace allows you to easily access your course(s).
Below are videos demonstrating two ways you can find and pin your course(s) - choose what works best for you.
Note: If you prefer written instructions, see the PDF below each video or in the Written Instructions box on the right-hand side of the page.
Find and Pin Your Course Using the Select-a-Course Grid (1.30 minutes)
Find and Pin Your Course Using the My Courses Widget (1.45 minutes)
Create a News Item
Why should I create news items in my course?
Creating a news item in your course is a great way to communicate with students as it is the first thing they will see when they log into your Brightspace course. Feel free to add information such as quiz reminders, class updates, create a link to Google Meets, or anything else you would like your students to know. You can even schedule news items ahead of time to display when you desire.
This video walks you through creating a news item in your course.
Note: If you prefer written instructions, see the PDF below the video or in the Written Instructions box on the right-hand side of the page.
Create a News Item (3 minutes)
Schedule a News Item in Advance
Why Should I Schedule a News Item in Advance?
Scheduling a News Item in advance allows you to communicate with students throughout the duration of your course, and also saves you time.
Watch this short video to learn how to schedule news items in advance.
Schedule a News Item in Advance (2 minutes)
Pinning News Announcements (a.ka. News Items)
As of August 2023, you can now pin news announcements (items) to the top of the News feed in your Brightspace course so students will see important messages in their news feed every time they log into your course. Watch as Justin Sparks, Learning Management System Administrator, shows you how quick and easy it is to pin news announcements:
Why would I need or want to email my classlist in Brightspace?
You would email your students through the classlist for any reason you wish to communicate with your students. Instead of having to add all of their names to a Google email, Brightspace makes it easy to email all, some, or even just one of your students without ever having to leave your Brightspace classroom. Students will receive your email in their SJC email account and their responses will go to your SJC email account.
Watch this video to learn how to email your classlist in Brightspace. Also, be sure to check out the Email Your Classlist by Sections video posted below as well.
Note: If you prefer written instructions, see the PDF below each video or in the Written Instructions box on the right-hand side of the page.
Email Your Classlist (2.48 minutes)
Email Your Classlist by Sections (1.5 minutes)
It is easy to email your classlist by sections in Brightspace. Watch this short video to see how.
Why You Should Update Your Brightspace Profile?
Before you start teaching, you'll need to set up your profile in Brightspace. Adding a professional-looking headshot and some details about your career and/or personal interests allows you to establish presence in your course and connect with students.
In your Brightspace profile settings, you can upload a picture and provide information about yourself. Students will see your picture in the Classlist and next to all your discussion posts, as well as the top right hand corner of the course. Also, if you click a student's photo in the Classlist, you'll be able to view their full profile (and students will be able to access your profile in the same way).
Note: This is not the same as having an instructor bio in the course. If you have questions, please contact asktei@sjcme.edu.
Watch this short video, produced by Brightspace, to learn how to create your profile in Brightspace.
Note: If you prefer written instructions, please see the PDF below the video or in the Written Instructions box on the right-hand side of the page.
Create a Profile (2 minutes)
I need to edit something in one of my modules. What do I do?
If it is a minor edit (such as a broken link), email asktei@sjcme.edu. If you need to change something that might affect an assessment or grading, please contact your Program Director for approval. Upon approval from the PD, email asktei@sjcme.edu and someone will make the edit for you!
My course has more than one section. Can I email just one section of my classlist?
Yes! For more information, watch this video or visit the tab entitled "Email Your Classlist".
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Have technical questions or concerns about these features? Email asktei@sjcme.edu.
For training information, see below.
