Start-of-Semester Tasks for Faculty

Below, you'll find instructions for common start-of-the-semester Brightspace tasks. We encourage you to contact your Instructional Technologist with any questions or concerns you have as you start each new semester.

  • You can log in to Brightspace two ways:

    • Log in to MyLMU
    • Click the Brightspace icon
    • Optionally, use the options menu to navigate to Academics » Learning » Brightspace

    Or

    Read the knowledge base article for full details.

  • To be able to access your course in Brightspace, the following must occur:

    • You must complete the onboarding process with Human Resources.
    • The Registrar's Office's PROWL system must list you as the instructor on record.

    Note: ITS cannot add courses to LMU's official registry.

    If PROWL lists your course and shows you as the instructor assigned to it, yet you're still unable to access your course in Brightspace, please submit a ticket to the ITS Service Desk and include a screenshot from PROWL.

  • Option 1

    • In the My Courses section, use the left or right arrows to ensure you are viewing the current semester
    • Click anywhere in your course's tile

    Tip: When viewing your course tile, hover over the image, click on the three dots [•••] in the top right corner, then choose Pin to create a shortcut on your Brightspace main page. This allows you to get to your courses quickly after at login.

     

    Option 2

    • Click "Select a Course" at the top of the page to search
    • Select your course

    Tip: Click the pushpin icon to the right of the course's name, to keep the course highlighted at the top of your list.

    Read the knowledge base article for additional information.

  • Note: Before proceeding with these steps, please review the full guide:
    Brightspace - Copying Content From One Course to Another

    1. In your NEW Course, click the Course Admin site menu option, then click the Import/Export/Copy Components link
    2. Choose Copy Components from Another Org Unit
    3. Choose the Search for Offering option
    4. Enter the name of your old course, then click the magnifying glass icon to begin the search
    5. Choose your OLD course then click Add Selected
    6. Choose Copy All Components to copy the whole course

    Tip: Optionally, choose Select Components to copy individual parts of the course.

  • To request a course merge, visit http://its.lmu.edu/servicedesk, click on Request Services, then click the Brightspace Merge Request option.

    • Click Course Admin from the navigation menu
    • Under Site Setup, click Course Offering Information

     

    • Uncheck the box under Active, then Save

     

     

    • Click Roster from the navigation menu
    • Choose Add Participants » Add existing users
    • Search for your TA by an identifier and press "Enter"
    • Check the box next to their name
    • Assign them necessary permissions
    • Click the Enroll Selected Users button

    Tip: Do not enroll students manually. PROWL will do this automatically. If students are in PROWL but not Brightspace, please contact helpdesk@lmu.edu.

    Read the knowledge base article for additional tips.

    • Click on "Content" at the top of your Brightspace front page.
    • In the "Add a Module" box on the left side, type a name such as "Syllabus, Week 1", or "Homework Files" and press Enter.
    • Drag and drop a document from your desktop onto the dotted area.

    Tip: In Brightspace, Modules are like organizational Folders.

    Read the knowledge base article for additional tips.

    • Click "Course Admin" on the top banner/menu
    • Select "Announcements"
    • Select "New Announcements"
    • Compose your message

     

    Read the knowledge base article for helpful tips.

    • Click "Roster" on the top menu/banner
    • Select "Email Roster" to email all students
    • To email select students, check the box to the left of a student's name. When you've checked all the boxes you need, click "Email"

     

  • To open your Brightspace course earlier than the default start date, follow these steps:

    1. Enter your Brightspace course.
    2. Click the Course Admin option in the navigation menu.
    3. Click the Course Offering Information link.
    4. In the Start Date section, make your desired changes.
    5. Click the Save button.

    Read the knowledge base article for helpful tips.