How to Navigate Your Course

Once you enter your course, you will be taken to your Course Homepage.

The Course Homepage is divided into three main areas:  Minibar,  Course Navigation Bar, and  Course Homepage Widgets.

Minibar

The Minibar is used to switch between courses, alert you when you have new email, news and discussion items and change or set personal Brightspace settings.

Course Navigation Bar

Your course Navigation bar provides easy access to the tools used in your course. Although it may vary in each course it will typically look like this.

Content Link

When you click theContent link, you are taken to the Course Content page. This page will contain all of the information, course materials, links and resources that your instructor has made available to you. On the left you can access the Table of Contents which will list all of the contents of your course.

Viewing Content

When you want to view the content, click a module name to display the topics your instructor has added. To view a topic or page of content, click on the topic name. Your content will appear in a page as seen below.

• Bookmark a topic
• Displays page in new window
• Previous or next topic/module
• Content viewer
• Table of contents collapsible tab
• Note: The example shown here is an HTML page. If you are viewing a document such as a pdf or word document the print button will not appear at the bottom of the page. When you view documents that are not HTML, a menu with additional options appear when you mouse over the bottom left corner.

Communication Link

The communication menu lists the communication and collaboration tools which may be used in your course.

• Classlist: The Classlist tool allows you to view who's enrolled in your course, search for a person’s name, check the online status of your classmates or instructor or send email to your individual classmates, your instructor or groups.
• Discussions: The Discussions tool is an asynchronous communication and collaboration tool; this means it is not in real time. It allows you to read and reply to discussion postings on different topics, share thoughts or ask questions about the course, share files, or work in groups on assignments.
• Online Rooms: Online rooms is web conferencing software. Your course may or may not include online room sessions.
• Webex: Webex is web conferencing software. Your course may include Webex conferencing software instead of, or in addition to, online rooms.
• Instant Messenger: The Instant Messenger is an online messaging tool for sending text messages to classmates and other Brightspace users. An instant message is quicker and less formal than an email.
• Groups: The Groups tool is a tool that your instructor may use to set up groups for your course. Your instructor has to option to add you to the groups manually, randomly or allow you to self enroll.
• Locker: The locker tool is a tool that can be used as an individual storage space for course files in Brightspace or can be a space for file sharing within groups.

Assessments Link

The Assessments dropdown lists all of the assessment tools available to your instructor in your course.

• Assignments: The Assignments tool allows your instructor to create folders for each assignment so that you can submit your assignments inside of Brightspace within a specific time period. After uploading your submission to the appropriate Assignments folder, you will receive an email confirmation that your file was submitted. Once your assignment has been graded you can return to the Assignments folder to view your grade and any feedback that your instructor has left.

  NOTE: As a student it is your responsibility to ensure your assignment has been successfully submitted. In addition to your email receipt users can click the “View History” button on the Assignments folder to confirm submission.

• Grades: Here you can check your grades on assignments and tests. While each course will have its own Gradebook settings, you can often view your individual grades, feedback comments, as well as class averages.
• Quizzes: Use the Quizzes tool to take a quiz, and if your instructor has activated them you can review your quiz results, and see class statistics for a quiz.
• Self-Assessments: Similar to quizzes, Self Assessments will allow you to test yourself and provide you with instant results. These self assessments are not graded, however you should refer to your course Syllabus for evaluation details.
• Surveys: Your instructor may request you use this tool to complete a survey on a particular topic.

Course Home Page Widgets

The Course Homepage widgets are the boxes on the course homepage that provide information and easy access to course information and resources.

• Course Content: Provides quick access to the main modules for your course.
• News: Lists course announcements and information posted by your instructor.
• Updates: Displays the number of new items like discussion posts, available quizzes and email.
• Learning Resources: Contains a list of important support departments available to students.

For further assistance with using any of the tools associated with your course, users are encouraged to contact Client Support.