Introduction
UCD is pleased to announce an upcoming enhancement to Brightspace: the (opens in a new window)New Content Experience (NCE). This updated display of content in the My Learning area of modules, aligning with the introduction of the UCD VLE standards, will bring a clean and minimalist content display to Brightspace, which will improve the visual presentation of content for students. Other tools in Brightspace (Assignments, Quizzes, Discussions …etc) will remain the same.
What is happening?
The New Content Experience is being implemented in your Brightspace Sandbox. Within your sandbox module My Learning area you can experience the New Content Experience (which can be toggled on and off via a pull-down tab at the top of the frame) from Thursday 22 February 2024. You can compare the new content experience display with the classic content display, so you can see the differences.
Pending approval, all newly created modules will have the New Content Experience. Existing and older modules will be unaffected.
Figure 1: An example of the New Content Experience in Brightspace, with the unit layout aligned with the VLE Standards
What do I have to do?
Explore the new features and make any necessary adjustments to your content's layout, training materials, or any other aspects of your modules.
Provide (opens in a new window)feedback on your experience of the New Content Experience in Brightspace as it will feed into the University recommendation as to when this will be made available across all modules.
Figure 2: Screenshot showing the pull down tab to toggle the New Content Experience off and on in the sandbox.
Why is this being introduced?
D2L, the Brightspace providers, are moving all customers to the New Content Experience.
The New Content Experience is expected to enhance the student learning experience within Brightspace offering a cleaner and more user friendly visual layout for students, simplifying navigation. The New Content Experience also aligns with the roll out of the VLE Standards within the University ensuring a consistent and high quality experience for students across all modules.
Some important new features are only available in the New Content Experience, such as (opens in a new window)New Display Pages for Assessable Activities in New Content Experience
Key Dates
From 21 Feb 2024 instructors will be able to trial the new content experience within their sandbox module in Brightspace.
Feedback will be sought between 21 Feb and 20 March 2024.
A recommendation will go to UMT Education Group based on feedback from users in early April 2024.
Further information will be provided throughout the Spring Trimester.
Support and training will be available for staff when the new content experience becomes available.
Queries and support requests can be directed via the IT Support Hub at www.ucd.ie/ithelp
UCD IT Services
Computer Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.Contact us via the UCD IT Support Hub: www.ucd.ie/ithelp