Workshops for Brightspace Users
The Office of Online Learning and Academic Technologies is offering the following
workshops throughout the year. Except where noted, all workshops are led by Todd Taylor, Online Learning Manager.
You may sign up for either the live session or the asynchronous online resources.
Register for all sessions here.
Adding and Structuring Content
Thursday, August 21 from 3pm - 4pm
The Adding and structuring content workshop will provide exercises on adding modules,
embedding existing videos and audio files, adding existing graded activities to modules,
and adding new pages. You will also be provided with exercises on moving content within
a move as well as how to change a module title. This workshop will outline how to
ensure content is released to students.
Adding a Syllabus
Friday, August 22 from 11am - 12pm
The Adding a Syllabus workshop provides resources and step-by-step instructions to
help you setup and configure your syllabus using the Syllabus tool in Brightspace.
Adding Assignments
Thursday, August 28 from 3pm - 4pm
The Adding Assignments workshop will focus on building out basic assignments in Brightspace.
You will be provided with an example of an assignment. The exercises will outline
how to create a basic assignment with an appropriate title, score, description, submission
method, and visibility.
Setting up the Gradebook
Friday, August 29 from 11am - 12pm
The Setting up the Gradebook workshop aims to provide you with a show-and-tell of
the gradebook from the perspective of the student. In doing so, the workshop will
aim to explain how the gradebook communicates to the student their performance. The
workshop will then provide exercises on how to set up the gradebook. First, the workshop
will outline the recommended settings for the gradebook. Then, the workshop will guide
participants through the process of creating high level categories. Finally, the workshop
will show how to associate assignments, discussions, and quizzes with those categories.
Ad Hoc Communication (new)
Tuesday, September 2 from 11am - 12pm Friday, September 5 from 3pm - 4pm Are your
messages met with tumbleweeds and the sounds of crickets? Are your students misinterpreting
your announcements? This session will review a 2 x 2 matrix to provide a framework
to analyze ad hoc (course logistic) communication tools in Brightspace. On one dimension,
we will compare synchronous and asynchronous tools. On the other dimension, one- and
two-way communication tools will be outlined. Upon review, it may be discovered that
the most versatile tools for course communication, such as Padlet and Discussions,
may be overlooked. The session will demonstrate how to set up and use each tool.
Performance Communication (new)
Tuesday, September 9 from 11am - 12pm
Wednesday, September 10 from 3pm - 4pm Performance communication is communication
related to tasks set in the course. Performance communication is often based on feedback
and grades. This session will outline various methods for providing multimodal feedback
in Brightspace, including annotations, video-based overall feedback, video-based think
aloud feedback, and whole-of-class feedback. Awards, as an alternative form of performance
communication, will be introduced and an attendance tool will also be demonstrated.
Soliciting Feedback (new)
Tuesday, September 16 from 11am - 12pm
Wednesday, September 17 from 3pm - 4pm
Body language gives us insights into student engagement in an in-person class. This
workshop considers how we might garner similar insights for the online components
of our course. It will provide a deep dive into the survey tool in Brightspace. The
session will also explore how to set up reports, use AI to analyze survey data, and
build a feedback discussion forum.
Automated Communication (new)
Monday, September 22 from 11am - 12pm
Friday, September 26 from 3pm - 4pm
Is your time wasted chasing up non-responsive students? This workshop will explore
automated messages in Brightspace. You will automate emails to students who have not
logged into your course, as well as provide support resources to students whose grades
fall below your benchmark. Automation can also be used to recognize students. You
will set up rules to send emails to congratulate students. You will also explore how
to use Awards to get a treasure hunt in your course, rewarding students for completing
activities.
Get Help
If you need assistance with Brightspace, call the SUNY Online Support Services Help Desk (open 7 days per week) at 1-844-673-6786 during the following hours:
Monday - Friday 7:00am-12:00am Midnight EST
Saturday 10:00am-6:00pm EST
Sunday 10:00am-9:00pm EST
If you are having trouble with your FIT Username and Password, call IT for FIT at (212) 217-4357.