Learning Management Systems

Brightspace Autumn17 Release Offers Flexibility, Streamlined Features

• By Rhea Kelly
• 10/23/17

D2L today unveiled the Autumn17 release of its Brightspace learning management system. The latest features focus on flexibility and streamlined workflows, according to a news announcement.

"We've been listening closely to feedback from the Brightspace community. You've made it clear — you want to work in a way that's convenient for you, not in a way a system forces you to work," explained Cheryl Ainoa, COO of D2L, in a statement. "The new features in Autumn17 allow you to streamline your day, freeing up time so you can focus on student engagement and success."

The system's new capabilities include:

• Content from Microsoft OneDrive or Google Drive can now be added to the Content tool, Brightspace Lessons and Portfolio with a simple click;
• YouTube videos now display inline when the link is added to Brightspace Lessons;
• Surveys, self-assessment and quizzes can be built by uploading questions from existing sources to the Brightspace question library;
• Critique^It Assignments enable rich-media feedback, real-time peer review and anonymous grading for assignments;
• Assignment posts can be created from the activity feed, and drafts can be saved for later sharing;
• Activity feed posts can be scheduled in advance;
• Responsive design makes the system usable via mobile device, tablet or desktop;
• Data from the system can be refreshed hourly; and
• On-demand and live virtual training is available for instructors and administrators.

In addition, the new release offers features specifically designed for K-12 use:

• Brightspace for Parents let teachers communicate with parents to share student work, upcoming assignments and more;
• Image-based navigation allows young students to explore the LMS independently; and
• A new animated cartoon character guides students through documenting their work in Portfolio, where teachers can approve posts and share work with parents.

For more information, go to the D2L site.