{"id":2032,"date":"2024-12-16T15:48:28","date_gmt":"2024-12-16T20:48:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/langaraquickguides\/?post_type=chapter&p=2032"},"modified":"2026-02-25T14:56:26","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T19:56:26","slug":"from-outcomes-to-content-your-complete-brightspace-course-setup-guide","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/langaraquickguides\/chapter\/from-outcomes-to-content-your-complete-brightspace-course-setup-guide\/","title":{"raw":"Complete Brightspace Course Setup Guide","rendered":"Complete Brightspace Course Setup Guide"},"content":{"raw":"

Your Complete Brightspace Course Setup Guide<\/h1>\r\nThis quick guide follows a backwards design approach to course development: we'll start by establishing your course structure based on learning outcomes, then set up your gradebook to align with these outcomes, before creating specific content and assessments. This method ensures that all course elements support your educational goals.\r\n

Accessing Your Courses<\/h2>\r\nThe first step in building your Brightspace course is logging in and accessing your course shell. This is where all your teaching materials and activities will live. Learn how to access your Brightspace course shells<\/a>.\r\n

Building from Scratch or Copying Content from Another Course<\/h2>\r\nNew to Brightspace? You can either start fresh or leverage existing content by copying components from a colleague's course. Both approaches are valid, depending on your needs. We recommend building your course in a development course then copying material over to your active course. A development course is a private Brightspace course shell allowing you to edit, organize, and revise content on a blank slate without fear of breaking anything or disrupting your active classes. Request a development (DVP) course<\/a> to get started and learn more about how to Copy Content from Another Course<\/a>.\r\n\r\nIf you're building from scratch or have copied existing course components, you'll want to follow the steps below to ensure an optimal learner experience and make the course your own.\r\n

Creating a Logical Structure with Modules<\/h2>\r\nThe course structure is created within the content area<\/a> of the Brightspace course shell.\r\n\r\nInstead of generic titles like 'Week 1' or 'Module 2,' use descriptive names that reflect the key concepts, themes, or learning outcomes (e.g., 'Introduction to Cell Biology,' 'Understanding Market Forces,' or 'Foundations of Literary Analysis'). These meaningful titles help students understand the purpose and progression of course content. The Content tool serves as a hub for course materials and activities, and a well-planned, consistent course structure helps students navigate your course with purpose.\u00a0Learn how to create and organize modules<\/a>.\r\n

Setting Up the Grade book<\/h2>\r\nBegin with the end in mind: Configure your gradebook first to ensure alignment between learning outcomes and assessments. Linking your assessments directly to the gradebook ensures efficient grading and communication. Learn more about the grades tool and get instructions for setting up your grade book<\/a>.\r\n

Creating Assessment Items<\/h2>\r\nAdd assignments, quizzes, discussions or other assessments and link them directly to the gradebook to streamline grading and feedback. Consider adding rubrics to clarify expectations and make grading consistent. how to create assessments here.\r\n\r\nLearn more about the Assignments tool and how to create an assignment in Brightspace<\/a>.\r\n\r\nLearn why you should use the Question Library to create and store questions<\/a>.\r\n\r\nLearn how to set up a quiz in Brightspace<\/a>.\r\n\r\nLearn how to use the Discussions tool for graded and ungraded activities<\/a>.\r\n\r\nLearn how to create rubrics and grade with rubrics in Brightspace<\/a>.\r\n\r\nAdding dates<\/a> to assessed items in Brightspace ensures that they'll appear on the Work To Do widget and in the Brightspace course calendar.\r\n

Populating Modules<\/h2>\r\n\"\"Use the Upload\/Create <\/strong>button to add new content to your modules, including media-rich HTML pages.\r\n\r\nUse the Existing Activities<\/strong> button to add previously created discussions, assignments, quizzes, checklists, etc. and documents to modules.\r\n\r\nUse descriptive module overviews to guide students with clear instructions and links to readings and activities.\r\n\r\nTo learn more about best practices for populating modules and sharing content with learners, register for Langara's Essentials to Excellence: A Brightspace Companion for Instructors<\/a> self-paced online course.\r\n

Creating Non-Assessed Activities<\/h2>\r\nSupport student learning and engagement by adding non-assessed activities like surveys, or checklists. These tools help build collaboration and keep students on track.\r\n\r\nLearn how to set up a Brightspace survey<\/a>.\r\n\r\nLearn how to create checklist to support students' progress through a module or assignment<\/a>.\r\n\r\nLearn how to create a survey or formative quiz using Microsoft Forms<\/a>.\r\n\r\nLearn how to embed resources, like Microsoft Forms quizzes and Padlet activities in a Brightspace webpage<\/a>.\r\n

Using the Homepage to Welcome and Guide Students<\/h2>\r\nCreate an inviting digital entrance to your course through the homepage - it sets the tone for student engagement and success. Use the banner and announcement tools to welcome students and provide updates throughout the term.\r\n\r\nA detailed welcome message or video<\/a> at the beginning of the course introducing the instructor, course objectives, and what students can expect sets a warm, engaging tone and clarifies the course's purpose.\r\n\r\nRegular announcements<\/a> or updates summarizing what will be covered each week, highlighting important dates or deadlines, and any changes to the syllabus. This keeps students informed and engaged with the course progression.\r\n\r\nQuicklinks<\/a> are direct links to existing files or activities in your Brightspace course or to external content. They can be added to announcements and module descriptions.\r\n

Checking Accessibility<\/h2>\r\nCreate an inclusive learning environment by utilizing Brightspace's accessibility checker to ensure all students can engage fully with your course materials. Learn how to use Brightspace features and tools to increase the accessibility of your content<\/a>.\r\n

Previewing Your Course on a Phone and Navigate using the Previous and Next Buttons<\/h2>\r\nWith most students accessing content via mobile devices, preview your course on a phone to ensure optimal viewing and navigation across all platforms.\r\n\r\n\"\"\r\n

Navigate Your Course Like a Student: Using Previous and Next Buttons<\/p>\r\n

When students move through your course content, they primarily use the Previous<\/strong> and Next<\/strong> buttons - these are essential navigation tools in Brightspace. To test this navigation:<\/p>\r\n\r\n

    \r\n \t
  1. Open any module in your course<\/li>\r\n \t
  2. Look for the navigation buttons at both the top and bottom of the page - they appear as Previous<\/strong> and Next<\/strong><\/li>\r\n \t
  3. Click through your entire course using these buttons to experience it as your students will<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n

    Important: Some course elements can disrupt this navigation flow:<\/p>\r\n\r\n