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.