Dear Colleagues,
D2L with their solution Brightspace has been chosen as the new supplier for UCD's virtual learning environment.
Phase II, the scope of which is to smoothly transition to the new learning environment, is now well underway. Over 25,000 students are using the new live environment and we have positive feedback so far. Extensive face to face training, which has been designed by UCD specifically for UCD users, is running regularly to facilitate staff in transitioning and using the new platform. For further information on supports and steps involved in the process please read on.
Kind regards,
Professor Jason Last
Here's what D2L says about Brightspace:
Brightspace is Easy
The user experience makes it easy for instructors to design courses, create content, and grade assignments. That gives you more time to focus on what really matters: teaching and learning.
Brightspace is Flexible
Instructors can teach the way you want to teach. There’s support for inline collaboration and rich multimedia. And you can even customize content, assessments, or the interface itself.
Brightspace is Smart
Built-in analytics reports help you track and understand performance for departments, courses, or individuals. These can be used to tailor each learner’s experience to fit their needs and goals.
See our introductory overview of Brightspace here and you can find Brightspace video tutorials on their YouTube channel or visit their website: https://www.d2l.com/
Cohort 1 modules have now been transferred from Blackboard to the Brightspace environment and will be available to students from 7th January 2019. This means that all content has to be prepared by Module Coordinators and in the live environment in advance of this date.
![]() |
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 |
![]() |
Step 2 - private test module 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 |
![]() |
Step 3 - staff member books into face to face training session(s) | ![]() |
Step 8 - staff member attends training session 2: Assessment Grading & Feedback |
![]() |
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. | ![]() |
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' |
Step 5 - staff member attends training session 1: Getting To Know Brightspace | Step 10 - staff member prepares content in the Holding module and when finalised moves it to the Live Module |
Brightspace Drop In Clinic sessions for staff queries are now running. The following dates remain for February/March 2019:
February/March:
If you have modules moving to Brightspace in Cohort 1 (click here to see a full list of modules in Cohort 1) 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, Feedback and Grading
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 |
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 |
1. How do I log into Brightspace?
2. How do I know when my modules are on Brightspace?
If you see the Brightspace logo appear beside a module that means it has moved over to Brightspace and you will be using the new platform to access it.
3. 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.
4. Is there any training available?
5. What Support is available for students?
1. Why this solution?
2. What is the timeline for implementation?
3. What sort of training is available?
4. What does this mean for my existing modules on Blackboard and Moodle?
5. How will content be migrated?
6. Do I need to do anything?
7. When will my module(s) be moving to Brightspace?
1. Early Adopters - September 2018
2. Cohort 1 - all Semester 2 modules (January 2019) have transitioned with the following exceptions:
2.a. Cohort 1a - approx 350 Semester 3 modules will transition in February in advance of April 2019.
3. Cohort 2 - all Modules in Semester 1 (September) 2019-2020 Academic Year
8. When is Blackboard being switched off?
9. Will Brightspace have a tool to check the originality of student work submitted?
1. I now have access to my live module-what's the next step?
2. How do I transfer my content from the holding module to the live module?
3. I have a live module, but I don’t have a holding module?
4. What does a migrated module look like?
5. My module isn’t appearing?
The following modules have been excluded from Cohort 1a:
- Year-Long Modules
- Level 3 UG modules in the College of Arts and Humanities, Business, Social Sciences & Law, and the School of Architecture.
Please note the date live modules for Cohort 1a (Summer Term) will be available will be posted shortly.
6. Are post graduate modules being migrated?
7. When are April start Semester 3 module(s) migrating?
8. When are Semester 1 2019-20 module(s) migrating?
9. When will students be able to access Brightspace for Cohort 1a modules?
10. My colleague needs access to the module, who do I contact?
11. My module isn’t running (inactive) but it has a live module and the content is migrated.
12. An exemption was approved for my module, but I see a migrated module, what does this mean?
13. Is it too late to request an exemption?
14. Do you have drop-in clinics where I can get help?
15. If I have a question out of hours - where can I get help?
Over the last 10 months UCD conducted an extensive VLE Review with the objective of choosing the most appropriate platform for our diverse user needs into the future. 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).
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. The output of this analysis was a Request for Proposal for UCD's Future VLE which was then issued to the existing framework established by HEAnet. The proposal sought detail on five key areas: Pedagogical Features and Functionality, Technical Requirements, Support and Training, User Experience and Cost.
Having selected D2L Brightspace as the recommended future VLE, the decision was ratified by UMT in December 2017 which brings us to the Implementation phase: Phase II - Your Future Is Bright.
The Phase II Project 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. See membership listed below.
This Group is tasked with overseeing all aspects of Phase II transition to the new environment (including integration of systems, content design, training and support, communications) with particular emphasis on ensuring a smooth and timely transition to the new UCD environment.
Project Oversight Group
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