Brightspace July Updates
Brightspace uses a Continuous Delivery model for monthly updates; some of the changes released in July 2025 have an impact on faculty use. Below are the changes that you may see. Full release notes can be found here.
[NEW] Flexible text or file submission options in Assignments for enhanced learner choice
This update allows instructors to create assignments that accept submissions in the form of an uploaded file, text entered in the Brightspace editor, or both.
[NEW] Groups – Bulk enroll and unenroll users to Groups with CSV file import
Instructors can now bulk enroll or unenroll users in existing groups using a CSV file to import through the Groups tool, helping to streamline group management for larger classes.
Note: The system provides a sample file and instructions. If using the sample file, the first row needs to be deleted as it will cause an error message when running if not removed.
[UPDATED] Improved completion reporting in Visual Table of Contents Widget
With this update, the Visual Table of Contents widget now determines completion based on topic completion status, not visited state. Manual completion topics are considered complete as soon as they are marked complete in the Content tool, and the widget now accurately displays progress for manual completion topics. Other topic types including quicklinks to quizzes, assignments, and discussions are unaffected by this change. This behavior now aligns with how completion is tracked throughout the Content tool.
[NEW] Quizzes: Full HTML Editor for Question Feedback
This update introduces the full HTML editor for question-level feedback in Quizzes, aligning it with the editors already available for Attempt Feedback and Overall Feedback, including support for the equation editor and file upload features.
[NEW] Quizzes: Reopen a submitted quiz attempt
Instructors can now reopen the most recently submitted quiz attempt, allowing learners to resume from where they left off. The new feature supports scenarios where learners run out of time or submit their attempt by mistake, improving overall quiz management flexibility.
Notes:
-
-
-
- After the user resubmits an attempt, the attempt indicates that the quiz was reopened.
- Indicates extra attempt under “Special Access” in quiz settings
- Students see status, time remaining, and message that states, “When you re-enter the quiz, the timer will resume counting down.”
- If the quiz has an end date, the instructor receives a prompt to enter a new end date and then an option to reopen the quiz.
-
-
[NEW] Quizzes: Statistics available for rubrics on written response questions
Instructors can now view rubric statistics for rubrics associated with written response questions across all learners’ first attempts at a quiz. Both Overall Statistics and Criteria Statistics are included with this update. Previously, rubric statistics were limited or inconsistent for written response questions. This provides instructors with consistent rubric statistics across all assessment types for better insight into how learners perform written response questions in particular.
Respondus Lockdown Browser
Below are the recent updates for Respondus Lockdown Browser & Monitor.
-
- An instructor setting now enables students to access MS Excel during a Respondus Monitor exam. For more details, visit Using Excel with Respondus Monitor
- A new flag will indicate if the test taker is holding a phone or device. Details here.
- WebAssign (Cengage) and Hawkes Learning have released seamless integrations for Respondus Monitor. This adds to the growing list of publisher integrations, including Pearson MyLab and McGraw Hill ALEKS.
- New feature – Handheld device flagging.
- There are updates video tutorials that can be found in the LockDown Browser Dashboard
- Improvements to the computer vision system
Want training on using Lockdown Browser & Monitor? Register for the upcoming Respondus Webinar.
Or join our HVCC Training opportunity on August 26 at 2:30 p.m.: Registration Link
HVCC Respondus Training Agenda:
-
- How to use LockDown Browser to prevent digital cheating in proctored testing environments
- How to use Respondus Monitor in non-proctored environments, to protect exam integrity and confirm student identity
- Advanced settings including combining proctored & non-proctored settings and using external tools in quizzes without compromising exam integrity
- The student perspective using each application
- Efficient review of the assessment data collected, including the Review Priority system, timeline, and milestone features
- Best practices and tips for success with both applications
Turnitin PeerMark Interface
There is a new appearance to the user interface when adding Turnitin PeerMark into the Content area in Brightspace.
Faculty are now able to create a New Assignment or Copy PeerMark Assignments from Existing Courses.
Fall 2025 Course Shells
Reminder, course shells for upcoming semesters and terms will become available on Brightspace 30 days before their start dates. By having a coordinated time, we hope to limit impacts on course shells from master schedule changes. Also, students are set to be available in courses beginning 30 days before a term’s start date. If you make your course active before a term start date, students can access any course content and activities available to them in the course.
If you wish to begin updates and edits to courses for upcoming semesters and terms before the 30 days, you can copy your courses into Z areas. If you need additional Z areas or need Z areas cleaned out, you can submit a help request using the following forms.
Published: Thu, 17 Jul 2025 11:57:47 +0000 by m.kong