Brightspace is a cloud-based learning platform that makes learning easy, flexible and smart. It is easy to create engaging courses and content, integrate video, personalise learning, capture and share expertise across the organisation, and it supports all mobile devices.
See our introductory overview of Brightspace here
What To Expect When Your Modules Are Due for Transition
Dear Colleagues,
The transition and implementation phase is now nearing a close. Over 27,000 students are using the live Brightspace environment and we have received positive feedback so far. The last cohort of modules has been moved over and will be available to Module Coordinators to access from the 15th July 2019. Brightspace face to face training has been availed of by over 1,000 staff members and is still running to facilitate any staff who may not have attended. Information on supports and steps involved in the process is detailed below.
Thank you to all for your cooperation and engagement during this important development. We are committed to using technology to enhance learning at UCD and provide for the growing needs of our diverse user community.
Kind regards,
Professor Jason Last
Strategically, this project falls under UCD Strategic Objective no.2 To Provide an Educational Experience That Defines International Best Practice (UCD Strategy 2015-2020) and it relates to the supporting UCD IT Strategic themes of Enhancing Educational Technology Services and Contributing to the Student Experience (IT Strategy 2020). The project comprised two distinct phases.
Phase II which is now nearing completion, is concerned with the implementation of the new virtual learning environment, the seamless integration of existing UCD systems and smooth transition of data from one system to another. This has required extensive consultation with Schools and Colleges, the design and roll out of a bespoke training programme covering general to specialist topics for UCD users, with a variety of online and face to face support options. Modules have been migrated from Blackboard in cohorts, following the success of the initial cohort of Early Adopters which was closely monitored to allow for amendments and learnings. Feedback has been captured from all cohorts throughout to ensure issues are addressed. In order to facilitate this change over Blackboard is running concurrently with Brightspace until 1st September 2019. All modules have now been migrated to Brightspace. Instructors can review and edit content in advance of start of term from the 15th July 2019.
During Phase I inputs to this process included a Faculty and Staff survey (607 respondents), a Student survey (5,080 respondents) an open digital comment box, a dedicated email address, this microsite, a number of reports from special interest groups, a facilitated workshop with Educational Technologists, User Experience Trials for staff and students and various reports and strategic documents including the Curriculum Review and Enhancement recommendations. A Request for Proposal for UCD's Future VLE which was then issued to the existing framework established by HEAnet and the decision to select D2L was ratified by UMT in December 2017.
Phase II of the Project The VLE Transition is sponsored by the Registrar and Deputy President, with the Project Oversight Group reporting upwards to UMT Education. The Project Oversight Group is a representative body comprised of key stakeholder staff and students tasked with overseeing all aspects of Phase II. See membership listed below.
The VLE Transition team led by Marian O'Connor is responsible for the the migration of content, integration of systems, content design, training and support and communications with particular emphasis on ensuring a smooth and timely transition to the new UCD environment.
Project Oversight Group
All remaining modules have been transferred from Blackboard to the Brightspace environment. The Live environment will be available from 15th July and module content will be visible to students from the 26th August. This means that all content has to be prepared by Module Coordinators and in the live environment in advance of this date. Three scenarios and workflows (pdf) are encountered depending on your whether your module is new or existing. You will also find information on how to set start and end dates and hide content here.
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Step 1 - staff account is enabled for Brightspace access | |
Step 6 - staff member receives access to online training and spends time working in Brightspace with access to resources and training materials |
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Step 2 - private sandbox is created for staff member to familiarise themselves with the platform and housekeep modules | |
Step 7 - staff member is advised of support methods, FAQs, support clinics and other resources available and additional training available |
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Step 3 - staff member books into face to face training session(s) | |
Step 8 - staff member attends training session 2: Assessment Grading & Feedback |
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Step 4 - module is migrated to Brightspace holding area for review. A migrated module will be denoted by _mig for example 'Financial Accounting Migrated - ACC10040_mig'. Use the checklist provided to make sure that your content has fully transferred. See our checklist | |
Step 9 - staff member receives access to the Live teaching modules in Brightspace. This means that these modules are no longer available in Blackboard. Live teaching modules are denoted by a date at the end eg 'ABCD10000-Introduction 2018/2019 Semester 2' |
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Step 5 - staff member attends training session 1: Getting To Know Brightspace | |
Step 10 - staff member prepares content and moves it to the live teaching module. Three scenarios and workflows (pdf) |
Support Resources |
Contact Details |
Purpose |
Sample Queries |
Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Brightspace Helpdesk |
https://brightspace.ucd.ie “Brightspace Helpdesk” widget on the landing page 1800 903 294 (free) Queries can be made via email, phone, or chat |
Just in time training and support relating to Brightspace features and functionality | "How do I set release conditions?" “Can you remind me how to do create a quiz?" “I wonder if it is possible to use html templates for content…“ |
24/7 |
IT Services Helpdesk |
ithelpdesk@ucd.ie Extn 2700 Please include Brightspace in the subject of the email so the call can be routed straight to the ETS team. |
UCD IT Support for troubleshooting queries relating to the use of Brightspace (& Blackboard) in UCD | “Something is not working the way I expected it to.. “ “I cannot access my module…” “I have a problem with a test and not being able to edit questions" |
Mon - Fri 9.30am - 5.30pm |
Future VLE Project Updates & Enquiries |
futurevle@ucd.ie |
Updates on the transition project and enquiries that relate to the transition process. | “Is my module due for transition?” “When can I expect to hear from you?" “What information is being made available to students?” |
Mon - Fri 9.30am - 5.30pm |
Future VLE Training Team |
vletraining@ucd.ie |
Enquiries that relate to training for Brightspace | “I want to book on training?" “What type of content do you cover?” “I can’t make it to any advertised sessions, what should I do?” “I am not based in Belfield how can I get trained?” “I want to suggest training on different topics |
Mon - Fri 9.30am - 5.30pm |
See What Others Have Asked |
Platform Queries and Approved Changes | Responses to platform functionality queries received to date, approved change requests and expected deployment timeline, list of known functionality differences between Brightspace and Blackboard | "What are the differences between Blackboard and Brightspace?" | Always |
Tips & Tricks from Brightspace Users |
Brightspace Tips & Tricks for UCD Staff | Here are a few tips and tricks to help you navigate the new platform and understand where it might differ from Blackboard. | Useful tips for Module Coordinators | Always |
IT Support Web |
IT Services Brightspace Information Pages | IT Support pages and answers to common queries about Brightspace and the Pulse Mobile App. |
Useful information for instructors | Always |
Brightspace Community Webpages |
Community Pages on the Brightspace Platform | Brightspace Community pages for all Brightspace users globally to avail of articles, updates and discussions relating to the platform. |
The community is a great place to search for use cases or get some queries answered by other community members. | Always |
Brightspace YouTube Channel |
Brightspace on YouTube | A series of video playlists designed by Brightspace for their users. | A good source of short impactful videos showing some of the features and functionality in use. | Always |
If you have modules moving to Brightspace it is important to book and attend the training provided, as it will take you through the content transfer process in more detail. Your sandbox module will be used for training.
Please book your training slot as soon as you can. Note it is not necessary to have your content already migrated to book onto training. The training plan focuses on 2 face-face training sessions per faculty/staff member:
1. Getting Started with Brightspace
2. Assessment and Grading
3. Creating Quizzes and using the Grade Centre
4. Feedback using Rubrics
5. Using Release Conditions and Intelligent Agents
6. Additional Tools in Brightspace eg Module Builder, FAQs, Glossary, Virtual Classroom
1. What sort of training is available?
2. Do I need to do anything?
3. When will my module(s) be moving to Brightspace?
4. When is Blackboard being switched off?
5. What does a migrated module look like?
6. How do I transfer my content from the holding module to the live module?
7. I now have access to my live module-what's the next step?
8. I have a live module, but I don’t have a holding module?
9. My colleague needs access to the module, who do I contact?
10. When will students be able to access Brightspace for Semester 1 (Cohort 2) modules?
11. My module isn’t running (inactive) but it has a live module and the content is migrated.
12. If I have a question out of hours - where can I get help?
The following sessions will run in week two in Building 71 (the old bar):
Tuesday 10th September: 12.30 to 13.00 and 13.00 to 13.30
Wednesday 11th September: 12.00 to 12.30 and 12.30 to 13.00
Thursday 12th September: 13.30 to 14.00 and 14.00 to 14.30
1. Top Tips for Students Using Brightspace
2. How do I log into Brightspace?
3. I am not receiving my module/course Notifications?
4. My module is not showing on Brightspace but should be there?
NB When a change in registration is made, please allow up to 24hrs before seeing this change refleced in Brightspace.
5. A module I deregistered from is still showing on Brightspace, should it be there?
6. My Modules keep moving every time I leave the homepage, how can I stop this?
7. When is the Blackboard service ending?
8. Are there information sessions available to students?
9. What Support is available for students?
During February - March 2019 student feedback was sought on Brightspace via a workshop attended by 15 students and a feedback survey undertaken by 380 students.
Thank you to those who took the time to share their thoughts. This feedback was incorporated into our communications, training programme and supports for students.
5,080 UCD students participated!
Thank you to each of you for taking the time to share your views. This feedback was used to help us choose the virtual learning environment that is best suited to your needs.
Please see some highlights from the Student Survey.
Thanks again from the Future VLE Team
You can share thoughts or suggestions on your Future VLE anytime by clicking on the button below or contact the Future VLE Team at futurevle@ucd.ie
