Brightspace is URI’s learning management system (LMS). It is a web-based, mobile-friendly, hosted learning platform used for delivering course content and other online learning resources. Brightspace contains a flexible suite of tools for creating custom content for online delivery. Instructors can promote student engagement and successful learning outcomes through utilization of the many Brightspace tools and features.
Course Shells
Course shells are available in Brightspace 60 days prior to the start of a new term. Faculty wishing to design a course prior to shells being available can create a ‘development’ course in Brightspace.
Course Merging
Self-service Merges: faculty may choose to merge their sections of the same course. A merged course presents one set of content to all sections. Student rosters are also combined. The process may take 24 hours.
Complicated Merges : there are some cases in which the instructor cannot merge the necessary sections. In some cases it’s not possible – in other cases the TLS team can do it for you. Submit a service desk ticket to request a complicated merge.
See instructions for self service course merging for Brightspace courses
Attend training sessions to learn how to perform course merging
View YouTube tutorial to learn how to do self-service course merging
Read blog post on To Merge or Not to Merge Course Sections in Brightspace
Training, Support and How-to Guides
Pulse App
A mobile app that helps students keep track of important updates. It brings news, deadlines, and grades together in one place so they can spend less time organizing and more time learning.
Learn how to use the Pulse AppBrightspace Integrations
TLS manages the integration of 3rd party tools, plugins, LTIs and software integrations into Brightspace.
In order to protect students, faculty, and our institution and to ensure the integrity of the learning management system and compliance with federal regulations, URI thus performs a standard review of all third party tools prior to integration.
Brightspace System or Setting Change Requests
Change management is the process of reviewing, testing, documenting, and implementing system edits, enhancements, and changes. For Brightspace request changes, we are required to follow the IT Change Management Process – which includes (but isn’t limited to) 1) a formal request from a department, and 2) processing it through the testing and then ETAC approval steps.
The best way to learn how to use this new tool is to take the online course (of course, this is in the tool itself). Click on the “Go To Brightspace” box to log in. When you first log in, you will see a page similar to the one below.
From the homepage of Brightspace, look for the “Discover” menu item in the top navigation bar. When you click on this item, you will go to a page like the one shown here.
Click on the box labeled Students Getting Started in Brightspace, which will take you to the intro course on how to make the best use of the tool.
There are a lot of tutorial videos available through YouTube on the Brightspace Tutorials Channel. In addition to these, ITS TLS and ATL offer a wide spectrum of training opportunities for faculty on a regular basis – all of them listed below.
For direct help with pedagogy, please visit the ATL. For technology questions or help, please click on one of the links below to submit a ticket. There are also a long list of specific Knowledge articles located on the bottom of this page or search Brightspace categories in our knowledge base.
How to Get Assistance
24/7 Support – Live Chat
Look for this icon on the home page as well as a bunch of other locations in the product – if you need help at any point, just click on the icon and get connected directly to Brightspace staff, even when the URI Service Desk is closed.
ATL Pedagogical Support
Get pedagogical support from the Office of Advancement of Teaching & Learning
Tyler Hall
9 Greenhouse Road
Kingston, RI 02881
Web: https://web.uri.edu/atl
IT Service Desk
Get support for all issues related to eCampus, email, internet connections, wireless, smartphones and tablets, laptops, desktops and more.
Submit Support Request to IT Service Portal: https://uriprod.service-now.com/sp
Virtual Service Desk: Via Zoom Sessions
Web (Training & Office Hours): https://its.uri.edu
Walk-in Support: Kingston Library, Second Floor 227
Email: helpdesk@uri.edu
Phone: 401-874-HELP (4357)