Instructor Documentation (Higher Ed)

About System Widgets

Brightspace core includes default System Widgets that are set up to represent and help you engage with various tools in Brightspace directly from your course or organization homepage.

This is the bullhorn icon used for warnings.

Important: The System Widgets List can also display widgets that are available with paid add-on widget packages. For example, widgets included with the Homepage Widget Expansion Pack. Add-on widget packages are not included with default system widgets in Brightspace Core and require additional purchase. Also, To add and modify widgets, your role must have the appropriate permissions. Contact your administrator and refer to System Widgets Permissions.

To locate system widgets

From your course homepage, click Course Admin.
Click Widgets.
Click the System Widgets tab to review the System Widgets List.

You can use this list to customize system widgets and preview how they will look.

This is the paper note and pencil icon used for notes.

Note: For information about how to add widgets to your course homepage, refer to Add widgets to your homepage.

The following are the default System Widgets that can be added to your course homepage:

Widget	Description
Access Google Workspace	A space where users can quickly access their Google Workspace account. Note that users must first link their Google Workspace account to use this widget.
Activity Feed	Provides a central location for instructors to post messages and assignments. You can also provide links to course materials and external resources.
Admin Tools	Provides administrators with direct access to all the administrative tools in the Admin Tools menu.
Announcements	Learners can easily view instructor communications about important, upcoming dates.
Auditors	Displays all the users with audit permissions in the course.
Bookmarks	Shows the content a user has bookmarked in the course.
Calendar	Learners are able to see all upcoming events in one spot, like assignment or quiz due dates.
Completion Progress	Provides learners with an overview of their progress on course completion. Additionally, provides instructors with an overview of the course completion requirements set by the course designer.
Course Administration	Provides quick access to course administrative tools.
Google Search	Provides users with access to Google's search engine on their course homepage.
Google Workspace	Gives users access to their Google tools within Brightspace. The Google Workspace widget displays users' emails, events, and documents on their Brightspace homepage. Note that users must first link their Google Workspace account to use this widget.
Kaltura	As a video content management tool, Kaltura allows instructors and learners to create, upload, edit, manage, publish, discover and deliver high-quality, rich video to any device, live or on demand. To learn more about Kaltura, refer to D2L Partner Profile - Kaltura.
Learning Repository (LOR)	Provides users with quick access to the LOR.
Microsoft 365	Provides users quick-access to a collection of enterprise-grade communication and productivity services. Depending on the license chosen, these services may include Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, OneNote, Lync Online, and Office Professional Plus.
My Courses	On the org homepage, users can view all the courses they are enrolled in.
My Org Units	Displays the org units that a user is a part of.
My Settings	Shows the options for customizing personal settings in Brightspace.
Quick Eval	Offers evaluators a single location to view all submissions that are awaiting evaluation.
Role Switch	Allows users with permissions to switch between different roles or personas in their Brightspace course.
Tasks	Displays a user's personal tasks as an agenda.
Updates	Shows any new content that a user needs to view, like unread discussion posts or assignment submissions.
User Links	A comprised list of all the links in the course.
Work To Do	Shows all content with due or end dates in the near future or in the past. Any overdue work will appear at the top of the list, and upcoming items appear below.