There are two ways to create and share assignments on Brightspace: via the Assignments tool or via the Content tool. We recommend creating the assignment via the content tool as this is the simplest way to create, share, and link the assignment to the content unit. Regardless of where you start the assignment builder or editor, the experience is the same.
For video instructions, please see Assignments – Create an Assignment – Instructor
Create an Assignment via Content Tool
To create an assignment via the Content tool: Go to Content → Select Create New > Select Assignment
Create an Assignment via Assignment Tool
To create an assignment via the Assignments tool: Go to the Assignments tool > Select New Assignment
Configure Assignment settings:
On the New Assignment page, enter the assignment Name, add the max point Grade (optional), and add a Due Date if necessary.
Select each of the right hand drop-down menus (Availability Dates & Conditions, Submission & Completion, and Evaluation & Feedback) to set the specific assignment parameters, details are listed below.
Add Assignment Instructions
Add the assignment instructions, using the Brightspace HTML editor. Add text, attach assignment resources, videos, gifs and other media files.
Select the “Insert Stuff” icon or the link icon to reuse or upload new resources to the assignment.
See HTML Editor for more details.
Assignment Grade
When instructors add a Grade to the assignment, they can alter it's gradebook settings too.
Select Grade out of to assign a grade value and to review grading options.
Grading Options
Edit or Link to Existing means this assessment counts towards final grade and should be linked to the gradebook. For more information on gradebook linking please visit this link:
Not in Gradebook means this assessment does not count towards final course grade
Reset to Ungraded reverts the assessment to an ungraded item
Availability Dates & Conditions
Set Start Date & End Date
Start Date: Earliest students can see an assignment.
End Date: Last day students can see an assignment.
Enable and Add additional Release Conditions
Restricts access to assignment until X criterion is met.
Add parameters for Special Access
Useful for all student accommodations, and special projects (i.e. Thesis projects etc.).
Select Manage Special Access to add accommodations. See Assignment Accommodations for more details.
Submission & Completion Options
Determine the Assignment Type
Individual Assignment students submit on behalf of themselves
Group Assignment students submit on behalf of a group.
Create group in the Groups and Sections tool in Course Information.
Add or Associate an existing Assignment Category
This is an organizational feature to tailor the view of the assignment’s tool it does not impact grading or the final grade.
Set the Submission Type
Submission types allowed are:
File submission- Students must submit a file attachment, PDFs, Word,
Text submission- Students submit in text responses, or attach video via the insert stuff option.
On paper submission- Student submits hardcopy of their work in person. No submission on line. Grades distributed online.
Observed in person- Student presents work in person. No submission on line. Grades Distributed online.
Determine the max Files Allowed Per Submission
Unlimited - students can resubmit unlimited times until the end date.
One file means the students can only submit once before the end date.
Outline the Allowable File Extensions
Students must upload specific file attachment.
Options include: PDF, Annotatable files, Files that can be previewed without conversion, Images and Videos, Custom File Types, Compatible with Turnitin
Set the parameters for Submissions attempts
All Submissions are kept - Student can submit multiple files and Instructor can review all attempts in students submission file.
Only one Submission allowed - Student can only submit one attachment
Only the most recent submission is kept - Student can submit multiple attachments, Instructor can only review the latest submission attempt
Add a Notification Email for completed submissions
Evaluation & Feedback
Attach existing Rubrics or create new Rubrics
Select Add Rubric to attach exiting rubric or to create a new rubric
Attach existing or create new Learning Objectives
Select 'Manage Learning Objectives' to attach existing learning objective to the assessment
Enable or Disable Annotation Tools
This feature allows Instructors to provide in-context feedback.
See Annotation Tools for more information
Enable or Disable Anonymous Marking
Enable and manage Turnitin Integration
Select Manage Turnitin to outline Turnitin similarity checking rules.
🏁 Review Assignment Details and Save
Review Assignment’s availability: Start Date, Due Date, and the End Date, Accommodations, and Special Access.
Review the assignment max Grade Out Of, and the Gradebook settings.
Review Submission Types, Allowable File Extensions, and review Turnitin Integration.
Once all assessment details are reviewed, toggle the visibility indicator to make the assignment accessible to students on the chosen start date and time.
By default assessments are invisible and must be made visible prior to the start date for students to view it
Then select Save and Close to save the assessment
Assignments that are not named will automatically be saved as ‘Untitled’.
All assignments have a default setting of ‘Ungraded’.
Assignments can be edited after being published. However, do this with caution, especially when Turnitin is enabled. Please contact edtech@brocku.ca for more info.
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