When you first log into your course in BrS, enter one of your courses using one of the two methods described in the Log In to Your BrS Course unit of this guide. CUNY Central will be migrating courses from the last two years into Brightspace (BrS). However, the layout and organization of your course might appear different because Brightspace relies on a modular course structure for navigation.
Glossary
Module
–a large container for organizing course content.
Submodule
– a smaller container (folder) that can be nested within the module to organize content.
Topics
– individual pieces of content within a module or sub-module (PDFs, videos, assessments, external links, etc.)
Structure
Learning modules are independent instructional segments, crafted to lead students on a targeted educational path. Think of them as folders containing scaffolded course material. These segments are versatile, suitable for both digital and face-to-face learning environments, and should be centered on educational goals or themes.
Quick Tips
Organize Top-Level Modules
Use these for major course themes. In a 15-week course, consider four top-level modules to simplify navigation and maintain focus.
Create Weekly Sub-modules
Place these within top-level modules for weekly content like lectures and readings. Aim for 1-3 weekly sub-modules per top-level module.
Populate with Topics
Add study materials, interactive elements, and assessments within the secondary modules to engage students weekly.
Click on the Content tab on the top menu.
Click on Add a module on the left.
Type in the title of the module reflecting its content, e.g., Syllabus & Schedule.
Press the Enter or Return key on your keyboard.
Click on the module name from the left menu to enter the module.
Click on add a sub-module at the center of the page.
📌 Syllabus upload to Brightspace content is mandatory for online courses per CUNY LMS Usage Policy for Online Courses.
Click on the name of your module from the left menu. [see the section above ℹ️]
Click on the Upload/Create button below the module’s title.
Select the Upload Files option.
Click on the My Computer option.
Click on the Upload button and locate a file you wish to attach.
Click on the Add button.
Click on the name of your module from the left menu.
Click on the Upload/Create button below the module’s title.
Select Create a Link.
Give the link a descriptive title for easy identification and accessibility (e.g., Join Zoom).
Paste the URL in the provided field.
Select the “Open as External resource” option to prevent issues with viewing the resource.
Create.
Click on the name of your module from the left menu.
Click on the Upload/Create button below the module’s title.
Click on Create a File.
Note: You can access text editor from other Brightspace tools such as assessments, discussions, or emails.
A text editor box will appear.
Add a title of your file in the Enter a Title field.
Type in the content in the text box.
Click on the name of your module from the left menu.
Click on the Upload/Create button below the module’s title.
Click on Create a File.
Note: You can access text editor from other Brightspace tools such as assessments, discussions, or emails.
Click on the Insert Stuff icon from the text editor.
Select YouTube.
In the search box, type the key word that will help you find a video you are looking for.
You can also paste the URL of the existing YouTube video.
Click on the Search button.
Click on the title of the video you wish to embed.
Click on Next.
Scroll down and click on the Insert button.
Click on the name of your module from the left menu.
Click on the Upload/Create button below the module’s title.
Click on Create a File.
Note: You can access text editor from other Brightspace tools such as assessments, discussions, or emails.
Click on the Insert Image icon to embed an image in the text box.
Click on the name of your module from the left menu.
Click on the Upload/Create button below the module’s title.
Note: You can access text editor from other Brightspace tools such as assessments, discussions, or emails.
Click on the Equation symbol to add math or chemistry symbols.
Click on the Plus icon to insert code, symbols, emojis, and other elements into the text box.
Click on the Link icon to add hyperlinks to your content.
Click on the Existing Activities button.
Select the appropriate assessment type to add to the module or sub-module.
Click on Upload/Create button below the module or sub-module’s title.
Select either the New Assignment, New Discussion, New Quiz, or any other option
that suits your course.
Blackboard Ally tool that automatically checks for accessibility issues and generates alternative accessible formats is integrated into Brightspace.
Click on the More link from the top navbar.
Select Tools.
Click on Ally Course Report.
In Brightspace, you can use the View as a Learner function to evaluate the effectiveness of the tool. It allows you to experience the course from a student’s perspective. The student experience should be intuitive, accessible, and aligned with UDL principles.
Enter Learner View
To enter the Learner mode in Brightspace, click on your name at the top-right of the page.
Click on the Change link to switch your view from instructor to learner.
Exit Learner View
To exit the preview and return to the instructor view, click on the X icon next to Viewing as Learner.
Note that certain tools such as Quizzes and Assignments will not preview content in the View as Learner mode. Instead, these tools use the Preview mode.
Make it unavailable to students.
Click on Content on the menu bar once you are in your course.
Click on the module or sub-module on the left sidebar.
Click on the chevron next to the name of module or sub-module at the top of the screen.
Click on Hide from Users to make the module or sub-module unavailable to students.
Make it available to students.
Click on Show to Users to make the individual topic unavailable to students available to students.
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