Brightspace Tip #428: Are You Ready?

Each threat of heavy rains and street flooding in our area should be a reminder that course delivery is vulnerable to unplanned events. Potential interruptions to class activities include but are not limited to natural disasters, widespread illness, acts of violence, planned or unexpected construction-related closures, severe weather conditions, and medical emergencies.

Here are a few things you can do in Brightspace to help you prepare should the need arise.

• Understanding and Building Your Course
  • Getting Started for Instructors Video Playlist
  • Content Tool Quick Reference (pdf)
  • Deliver Course Content

• Utilize Brightspace’s Communication Tools
  • Announcements Tool Quick Reference Guide (pdf)
  • Create an Announcement (video)
  • Classlist Tool Quick Reference Guide (pdf)
  • Classlist - Contact Learners (video)

• Collecting Student Work
  • Assignments Tool Quick Reference Guide (pdf)
  • Simplify Assignment Collection

• Utilize Brightspace’s Collaboration Tools
  • Discussion Forums
    • Discussions Tool Quick Reference Guide (pdf)
    • Create Discussion Forum in Discussions Tool
  • VoiceThread
    • Using VoiceThread in your Brightspace Courses
    • VoiceThread Basics
    • Be Ready for Mother Nature with VoiceThreads
    • VoiceThread FAQs

• Posting Grades
  • Grades Tool

• Zoom Web Conferencing
  • Zoom How-to Resources for Faculty
  • Zoom How-to Resources for Students

For those who missed our "Preparing to Teach During an Interruption: Strategies for Maintaining Instructional Continuity" workshop and for those who want to learn more about instructional continuity, you will find a link to the workshop recording, PowerPoint slides, and resources discussed in the workshop here:

• Preparing to Teach During an Interruption workshop recording [46:10]
• Workshop Slides (pdf)
• Instructional Continuity Quick Start Guide (pdf)

Want More Information?

Instructors Quick Start Tutorial
Continuous Delivery release notes
Brightspace Known Issues
Request a sandbox course
Sign-up for Brightspace training sessions
You can find Brightspace help at D2L's website.
Join the Brightspace Community.
Try these Brightspace How-To documents.
Visit our Brightspace FAQs for additional Brightspace information
or schedule a one-on-one session, email, or
call Janice Florent: (504) 520-7418.

Note: Are you doing something innovative in Brightspace or perhaps you've discovered a handy tip? Share how you are using Brightspace in your teaching and learning in The Orange Room.

Image credit: "The threat of disasters is real" by jflorent is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0