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Navigating Brightspace

Overview

This page provides an overview of the main navigation elements within Brightspace, helping you understand the platform's structure and key features.

Brightspace's interface is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, with clearly defined areas for different functions. Whether you're uploading course materials, communicating with students, or managing assessments, understanding how to navigate Brightspace is important for effective module delivery.

A sample welcome pop up in Brightspace

Key Features

  • Module Homepage: The module homepage is the initial page that students see when entering a module. It is comprised of a module banner, announcements, the module descriptor, an optional welcome message and the module calendar.
  • Module Descriptor: The module descriptor widget is automatically populated to display existing module descriptor information that has been entered via the Curriculum Management System (CMS).
  • Welcome Message: The welcome message widget provides a designated space for lecturers to introduce and welcome students to the module. The welcome message will launch to students on first login to the module in the form of a pop-up window from the module homepage. After they have viewed the welcome message it then rests on the module homepage. The student can view it at any time.
  • Navigation Bar: Within the module, you will find the navigation bar which takes you to important sections of the VLE including:
    • My Learning: To populate your module content.
    • Assessment: Takes you to the assignment setup, submission, feedback, and quizzes area.
    • Discussions: Where you can set up class discussions.
    • My Class: For class registrations, class lists, and engagement tracking.
    • Module Tools: Where you can perform tasks such as module administration, importing and exporting content.
  • Calendar: The calendar contains all time tabled  information and makes key due dates and submission deadlines visible.
  • Announcements: Announcements are a key method of communicating with all students enrolled in a module. All announcements are displayed on the module homepage and students can select to receive module announcements via email or via the Brightspace Pulse app available for download from device app stores

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