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HTML pages open in default browser instead of Pulse app

Arman.V.176

Hi there,

I noticed that since recently, I can't put a exact date on it, HTMl within the Pulse app do not open within the app itself anymore, but instead open in my default browser. Is this due some update or something. Personally I liked it when they opened within the Pulse app.

Can anybody share more information on this?

Kind regards,

Arman

I already found the answer myself :) https://community.d2l.com/brightspace/kb/articles/27559-december-2024-20-24-12

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Miguel.B.1144

Hi @Arman.V.176

Thank you for reaching out the Community. That is correct. at present, external links now open in a device's native browser to improve user experience and enable new functionality. This new version also implements new security enhancements that improve content access and login for a safer learning environment.

Please kindly find below further information regarding this specific update:

https://community.d2l.com/brightspace/kb/articles/27559-december-2024-20-24-12#pulse-external-links-open-in-native-browser-updated

I hope this helps and please feel welcome to reach out with more questions!

Best regards

Miguel B.

Katie.P.17

Hi @Miguel.B.106

On this subject: one thing I've noticed is that when the html pages open in the default browser, there is no more navigation. No arrows in the page to get to the next page in the content like there is on the website view. Instead, you have to navigate back to the pulse app and then select the next html page, which opens in a new tab in the default browser. I see this becoming an issue for our learners. Is this something that will be changed in the future?

Vivek.V.7147

Hi @Katie.P.17

This is expected behavior because once the HTML file opens in a new browser window, it functions as a standalone webpage and no longer maintains a direct connection with the Pulse application. Consequently, the in-app navigation buttons for accessing previous or next files are not available within the browser view.

We understand your concern about how this might impact the learning experience for your students, requiring them to navigate back to the Pulse app to select subsequent HTML pages, which then open in new browser tabs.

For future development consideration of this behavior and the potential for improved navigation within externally opened HTML content from the Pulse app, we recommend submitting this as a Product Idea Exchange (PIE) item. This will allow other users to vote on your suggestion and provide valuable feedback to our product development team.

You can submit your idea here: https://desire2learn.brightidea.com/ideas/boards

Thank you

Vivek

Arman.V.176

@Vivek.V.2277 Personally, I do not feel that the navigation buttons add much value, since you can already use the side menu for navigating to other content within the course. Similar button were part of the 'old content experience' and dropped for the 'new content experience'. But I reckon they are back due to popular demand.

One thing I noticed however, is that since the navigation buttons are present the Ally-buttons for checking the accessibilty of your content and/or downloading the content in another format are not visible anymore (in the teacher view), except for the HTML-pages.

For example, if the content is a pdf file, you can't observe them. Still if you hover your mouse over the positions they were present they are still there, but not visible directly anymore.

In the student view the Ally-button for downloading the content in another format is present though.

Kind regards,

Arman

Christina.T.727

Hello,

Just wanted to pick up this conversation - so can see in Dec 24 release notes that external links are meant to open in browser.

But surely standard HTML pages of content topics, (We use New Learner Experience) should be opening within the app, so that the user can navigate through the content?

Right now you open the app, select the course, navigate to content, and as soon as I click a topic it opens in browser. To get to the next topic you have to navgiate back to the app, and then select again.

Same with Quizzes - if I click a quiz that opens in browser, and I have to complete the quiz on browser instead
And likewise with Checklists - if a I click a checklist that opens in browser rather than on the app

I can't view my class progress on the app.

It literally feels like the only purpose of the browser is to show you what courses you are enrolled in and what topics are in that courses, but otherwise you need to use a laptop or tablet (on browser) to have a good experience

Its an awful user experience, surely this isn't how the pulse app was designed? If this is how the app was designed you might as well remove it from the app store.

Bharti.B.80

Hello @Christina.T.727 ,

After reviewing this further, I can confirm that this behavior is expected and aligns with a product change that was introduced some time ago. In February 2023, Brightspace Pulse was updated so that web-based content (including HTML content topics, quizzes, checklists, and other web pages) now launches in the device’s default browser rather than within the Pulse app’s embedded browser.

The rationale behind this change was to:

Improve reliability and compatibility with LTI integrations
Allow learners to use full browser capabilities (for example, saved passwords, single sign-on flows, and opening links to other apps)
Reduce limitations that existed within the in-app web view

There was a similar discussion in the Brightspace Community when the change was first introduced, which you may find helpful for additional context here.

Thanks and Regards,

Bharti

Arman.V.176

Hello @Bharti.B.332

I now the rationale behind opening links in the device's default brwoser. Yet, in my opinion it reduces the usefullnes of the Pulse app dramatically. Now the app more or less functions soley as a link list instead of functioning Android app, as mentioned by @Christina.T.727. Now you just have the laptop/ desktop experience, but on a mobile device. I don't find this usefull. The app experience should be different than the laptop/desktop experience.

Kind regards,

Arman

Victor.B.3228

Hi @Arman.V.176 ,

I understand your perspective, and I agree that it can be frustrating when the app experience feels too similar to the desktop experience rather than being optimized for mobile use.

Unfortunately, this functionality is not available in Pulse at this time. However, we strongly encourage you to submit this feedback through the Product Idea Exchange (PIE) in the Brightspace Community. Submitting a PIE allows D2L’s Product Management team to review the request and consider it for a future release based on client demand.

If you’re not sure how to submit a PIE request, you can find step-by-step guidance in the following article:
https://community.d2l.com/brightspace/kb/articles/1300-pie-frequently-asked-questions#how-to-submit-an-idea-in-pie

Kind regards,

Victor