Brightspace, which will replace Blackboard as Vanderbilt’s course management system this summer, is now available for instructors planning their summer and fall courses.
Faculty are invited to visit http://brightspace.vanderbilt.edu, log in with their VUnetID and password, and explore the new platform. Students are welcome to visit Brightspace as well, although courses will not be available to students until they are activated by instructors.
Brightspace was chosen to replace Blackboard after a yearlong needs assessment and vendor selection process involving faculty, staff and students. The platform has a modern, responsive design and a number of innovative features, including drag-and-drop file management, a mobile-friendly interface, a virtual classroom and a student portfolio tool.
“Vanderbilt is committed to leveraging educational technologies to support learning and teaching,” Vice Provost for Learning and Residential Affairs Cynthia Cyrus said. “Brightspace will provide a core set of instructional tools to benefit campus. I look forward to implementing Brightspace in my own classroom.”
To learn how to use Brightspace, visit the Brightspace support site hosted by the Vanderbilt Center for Teaching. The site features on-demand resources including tutorials and walk-throughs, as well as information about upcoming Brightspace orientation sessions.
“We are excited to help launch Brightspace at Vanderbilt,” said Derek Bruff, director of the Center for Teaching. “We know there will be a learning curve with the new system, but we’re ready to help faculty and students see what they can do with it.” Center for Teaching staff are available on request to come to departments and schools to provide general introductions to Brightspace or more tailored orientation sessions.
More information on the transition from Blackboard to Brightspace can be found on the Brightspace support site. Questions may be sent to Brightspace support at the Center for Teaching via brightspace@vanderbilt.edu or by calling 615-322-0200.