Brightspace (by D2L)
Brightspace, commonly referred to as just “D2L,” is the learning management system used at Colorado Mesa University. CMU uses the Brightspace learning environment for all online, hybrid, and face-to-face courses, allowing students and instructors to engage in online classroom activities.
- Instructors can make class syllabi, grades, and materials available online.
- Students can communicate with classmates and instructors using the D2L email and discussion tools.
- Instructors can use online quizzing and assignment submission tools to reduce or eliminate the need for printing tests and papers.
All students and faculty members have a D2L account that can be easily accessed through the D2L application in MAVzone.
Watch these videos to learn more about Navigating the Brightspace Learning Environment.
This section introduces the most commonly used D2L tools. Each tool link is a downloadable/printable PDF guide with a clickable table of contents menu and links to videos.
- Getting Started: As a first step, it is always a good idea to look at your account settings to make sure that everything is set up to your preference. You can also opt to set up your profile in D2L. Note that this is not a private profile and information will be visible to others in your class. You can also set up your account to receive course notifications via email (or add the Brightspace Pulse app on your mobile device). Finally, the calendar tool available in every course helps you stay on top of current and upcoming events.
- Accommodations (PDF): If you have a Faculty Accommodation Memo (FAM) from EAS which includes testing accommodations, your instructor will use the Accommodations tool to set up your extended time.
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Assignments (PDF): Formerly known as "Dropbox", the assignments tool is used to upload and submit assignments online directly to your instructor. Instructors can view/download submissions, check for plagiarism (via Turnitin), and return submissions with grades and feedback. Your instructor usually sets up an assignment folder with a restricted start, due, and end date. Instructions for the assignment are also provided.
- Awards (PDF): Awards are accomplishments that you have obtained through a course and are determined by your instructor. You can also share these awards on LinkedIn.
- Classlist (PDF): The Classlist tool lists all users enrolled in a course. Apart from being able to see all your classmates and who is online, you can use this tool to send a quick class or individual email.
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Class Progress (PDF): Track your detailed course progress in D2L using the view progress tool.
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Content (PDF): This is the main area of the course where you can usually find all the materials for your online course. This may be designed by weeks, modules, or units. Depending on the course design, you can access all course materials, activities, and assessments from this one location.
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Course News (PDF): The course news section is available on the first page (homepage) of every course. This is where you will find course-related information/announcements from your instructor. Please make sure to pay attention to this area to stay on top of the posted information.
- Discover (PDF): This tool allows you to self-register for available training/resource courses.
- Discussions (PDF): Online discussions provide one of the best ways to engage and collaborate in an online class. Most of the interaction between classmates and the instructor takes place using the Discussions tool in D2L. Usually, required discussions are already linked in the content area of the course, but all discussions can be viewed directly from the tool as well.
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Grades (PDF): View all your current grades and feedback from the grades tool.
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Groups (PDF): View group enrollments, choose which group to join, submit to group assignment folders or discussions, or contact group members from the Groups tool.
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Quizzes (PDF): The Quizzes tool houses online quizzes, exams, and tests. While many questions are instantly graded after submission, short and long-answer-type questions are usually graded manually by your instructor. Quizzes are usually time and date restricted and can be set up with a multitude of options. Learn where and how to access your quizzes or exams in D2L.
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Respondus Lockdown Browser (Video): Respondus is used to lockdown browser and communication tools in D2L while taking a quiz. This video will show you how to download and install the browser
- Video Note, Audio Note & Media Library (PDF): Video Note and Audio Note are quick tools to create brief (up to 30-minute) video and audio recordings directly in D2L. This guide also covers Media Library tools.
- What is D2L? (YouTube video)
- How do I make visual adjustments in D2L? (PDF)
- Do D2L and other applications have a mobile app? (PDF)
- How do I set up the Brightspace Pulse app? (YouTube video)
- How do I view assignment feedback when my instructor is using Turnitin's Feedback Studio? (YouTube video)
- How do I complete a Course Evaluation? (PDF)
- How do I download an ePortfolio? (Video)
- How do I use Microsoft Sway? (Self Registration Training Course in D2L)
- How can I improve my virtual meeting experience? (PDF)
- How can I improve my video chat etiquette? (YouTube Video)
Zoom
- How do I create a Zoom account? (PDF)
- How do I participate in a Zoom meeting in my D2L course? (PDF)
- How do I host or participate in a Zoom meeting on the desktop or mobile app? (PDF)
- How do I turn on live transcription or adjust other accessibility features? (PDF)
MS Teams