About course content
Instructors can create course content with the following tools:
- Create course content with the Content tool
- Format HTML course content with the use of Brightspace Editor
- Add URL links to a course with the Links tool
- Create a custom learning path in a course with the Release Conditions tool
- Notify learners about updated course content
- Add availability and due dates in Content
- Evaluate assignment submissions from Content
Create new content using an existing HTML document template
You can create multiple HTML documents from one central HTML template saved in a template directory. Each template is saved with standard styles and images included.
If you set up a path to a directory containing HTML templates in Manage Files, these template choices appear in a drop-down list when you create a new document. All links to assets such as images, CSS, and JS files are maintained when you create a new HTML document from a template using the Content tool.
Note: If you have already created an entirely new HTML document, you can save it in your template directory for other documents. If you are using SCORM packages, refer to How to Insert a SCORM Package.
To create a new HTML document using a template
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From your course navbar, click Content.
Note: The following steps are completed using the Lessons content experience.
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Within a module click Create New.
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Click HTML Document.
Figure: The HTML Document option of the Create New window.
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From the New HTML File page, enter a Name.
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Click Select Template. Select an HTML template from the drop-down list.
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Click Save and Close.
Create new content
Use the Content tool to create a file to add to your course as new content.
To create a file for your course
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From Content, select the module where you want to create the content.
Note: If you need to create a module, see the article Set up and Manage a Course.
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Click Upload/Create to expand the drop-down menu.
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Click Create a File.
Figure: The Create a File option in the Upload/Create menu.
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Do one or more of the following:
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Complete the file details using Brightspace Editor.
Figure: The Create a File dialog.
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Click Select a Documentation Template to view the available pre-made file templates.
Note: This option is only available if your Brightspace implementation has templates pre-configured.
Figure: The Select a Documentation Template menu showing the available templates.
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Click Save and Close to review and publish your file.
Figure: The Save and Close button.
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Review the completed file and scroll down to include additional configuration options:
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Set Visibility options to restrict the content.
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Add Dates and Restrictions.
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Align standards or learning objectives to the content file on the Learning Objectives tab.
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Review student completion and exemptions on the Completion Summary tab.
Figure: The Activity Details, Learning Objectives, and Completion Summary tabs provide additional configuration and usage information about your content.
Format your document
Use the robust set of options found at the top of Brightspace Editor to customize your document:
Figure: Brightspace Editor options for customizing content.
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Edit Font configurations.
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Use Insert Stuff to insert multimedia, files, links, embed code, and record videos with the Video Note tool. For more information about including video into your content, see How to use Video Note.
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Use the Insert Quicklink option to add a link to a specific file, assessment, or module.
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Use Insert Image to add images to your content. Ensure you include adequate alternative text for use with assistive technology.
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Use the Equation Editor to build equations directly into your file.
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Use the Accessibility Checker to ensure your document meets online accessibility standards in compliance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AAA standards (worldwide) and compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, 1973 (United States of America).
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Select More Actions to access additional format options.
Return to content
To create more files or set up your course for further file creation or course setup, you can use the file path to return to Content.
Figure: File path links leading back to Content.
Note: For more information, refer to Create Course Content.
Add external content to a course using the Content tool (classic content experience)
Use the Content tool to add external files to your course modules using your computer. There are two ways to add external files from your computer. Drag and drop, or using the Upload/Create menu.
To drag and drop new external files from your computer
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Select the files from your computer to import into Brightspace.
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Drag and drop those files into the module.
Figure: A file being dragged into the Drag and Drop files here field.
To add external files from your computer using your keyboard or the user interface
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In the Upload/Create drop-down menu, select Upload Files.
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Select files from your computer and select Open.
Figure: The Upload File option on the Upload/Create menu.
Add existing material
To add an existing course object to Content
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On the navbar, click Content.
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On the Table of Contents page, for the module you want to add a course object to, click Existing Activities and do one of the following:
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To add an existing assignment, click Assignments.
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To add an existing chat, click Chat.
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To add an existing checklist, click Checklist.
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To add an existing discussion topic, click Discussions.
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To add an existing Brightspace ePortfolio item, click Brightspace ePortfolio.
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To add an existing external learning tool, click External Learning Tools.
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To add an existing form template, click Forms.
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To add an existing quiz, click Quizzes.
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To add an existing self assessment, click Self Assessments.
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To add an existing survey, click Surveys.
Note: Additional menu options may be available depending on your institution.
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Do one of the following:
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To insert an existing activity, in the Add Activity window, click on the activity.
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To create and insert a new activity, in the Add Activity window, click Create New [activity]. Enter your activity details and click Create and Insert.
Re-order course content
In the Content tool, you can arrange your course content by dragging and dropping modules and topics using the module or topic's drag handle (content_draghandle).
If you drag a module or topic above or below other modules and topics, a gray line appears to indicate you can drop the module or topic there. If you drag a module or topic over another module, the module appears orange to indicate you can drop it there.
You can also automatically update your existing files by dragging the newest version of your file from your computer into the appropriate module. When a module contains no topics, an upload target displays. If you drag a file over an upload target, that area appears orange to indicate you can drop it there. When a module contains topics, you can still drag a file into it. A horizontal line indicates where the file will be dropped, allowing you to create new topics between pre-existing ones. You can also drop files from your computer directly into the Table of Contents panel.
When you drag files from your computer into a module's upload target to add or update topics, the files will save in the Manage Files tool. A dialog prompt will appear asking you where in Manage Files you want to save the new file.
Internet Explorer 9 and older currently do not support dragging and dropping files from your desktop into Brightspace.
Add third-party tool resources to a course
Use the Content tool to add a third-party tool to your course, such as Google Drive or One Drive.
To add a third-party tool to your course
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From Content, select the module where you want to create the content.
Note: If you need to create a module, refer to Create and Arrange Modules.
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Click Existing Activities to expand the drop-down menu.
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Click the third-party tool from the drop-down menu.
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Click the activity you want to include to add it to your module.
Figure: The Existing Activities menu.
Note: Availability of third-party tools is configured and managed by your Brightspace administrators.
Import existing content from another course
Use the Content tool to import existing content from another course. You can import content by either copying an existing course, or importing a course package.
To import existing content
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From Content, click Table of Contents.
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Click the Import Course drop-down menu. Two options exist to import content into your course: Copy Existing Course and Import Course Package.
Figure: The Import Course drop-down menu in Table of Contents.
Copy an existing course
You can copy an existing course in Brightspace.
To copy an existing course
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From the Import Course drop-down menu, click Copy Existing Course.
Figure: The Import Course drop-down menu with the Copy Existing Course option highlighted.
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Click Copy Components from another Org Unit.
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Use Search for offering to search for the course containing the course components you want to copy.
Figure: The Import/Export/Copy Components window with the Search for offering button highlighted.
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Choose the course.
Figure: The Select course offering window with a sample course offering selected.
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Click Add Selected.
Figure: The Add Selected button.
Note: From the Import/Export/Copy Components menu, there are additional options to:
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Copy Components from Parent Template
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Export as Brightspace Package
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Export as Common Cartridge
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Export as Thin Common Cartridge
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Import Components from Learning Object Repository or Course Package
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Select Copy All Components or select individual components to indicate which components to copy over. You are notified when the course upload is complete.
Figure: The Copy All Components and Select Components buttons.
Note: When choosing Select Components, you have the option to select all items or individual items from the following tools: Content, Content Display Settings, Course Files, Assignments, Grades, Grades Settings, Quizzes, Awards, Rubrics, Course Appearance, Surveys, and Release Conditions.
The Copy Course Components History menu displays your current and any previous course copies. From this page you can copy another package, view content you just imported, or review and manage dates.
Import a course package
Use the Content tool to import a course package.
To import a course package
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Select Import Course Package to import a zipped course file.
Figure: The Import Course drop-down menu highlighting the Import Course Package option.
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Do one of the following:
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Click Import All Components.
Figure: The Import Course Package pop-up window highlighting the Import All Components button.
Note: When importing a course package, you can select Advanced Options, which allows you to select specific components to import from the course package.
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Select View Content, Import Another Package, or Review and Manage Dates once the file has completed importing.
Figure: The Import Course Package window showing a successful import and the available options.