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The Brightspace Editor integrates with all D2L Brightspace Learning Environment tools that have HTML content creation capabilities. For example, the HTML Editor is available when editing discussion topics, create custom instructions for assignment folders, or create content topics.
The Brightspace editor appears in multiple tools and content areas within a Brightspace course. Below are some examples of where instructors can access the editor:
While bold, italic, and underline are easily accessible from the main toolbar, there are additional text format options available.
Highlight the text intended for format, then click the arrow next to Underline. Sub-menu in Underline Select strikethrough, superscript, or subscript from the drop-down menu.
Add Heading Styles
Use heading styles to structure text and make content more accessible for students using screen readers.
To add a heading style: Click the format drop-down menu (set to Paragraph by default). Format drop-down menu in Paragraph Select a Heading style (H1, H2, H3, etc.) from the drop-down menu.
Font Colour
Text can be changed to any colour. Keep in mind to follow UDL and accessibility principles if changing text colour.
Highlight the text for formatting, then click the Select Colour button to open the Select a Colour window. Select Colour button Select a font colour or enter a hex value. Click Save to finish
Change Text Alignment
Users are able to manipulate the alignment of the text based on their needs.
Place the cursor where to align the text, or highlight the text meant for formatting. Click the alignment button. Alignment button Select an alignment option from the menu. Drop-down menu within Alignment button
Add a Bulleted or Numbered List
The List tool allows for the creation of different lists. Users also have the ability to increase and decrease the indent on listed items to align them with other sections.
Place the cursor where needed to create a list, or highlight the text needed for formatting. Click the Bulleted list button. Bulleted list button Select the Bulleted list or Numbered list from the drop-down menu. Can also increase or decrease the indent of listed items from this menu. Drop-down menu within Bulleted list button
Additions in the Text Editor
Add Page Dividers
Page dividers can be a helpful tool to separate blocks of text or varying pieces of content.
Place the cursor where needed to add a divider. Click the other insert options icon in the editor. Other insert options icon Select Divider from the drop-down menu. Drop-down menu within the other insert options icon
Add Emojis
While some may not consider them “professional”, emojis and similar symbols add a small visual element to what could otherwise be a bland text block of content.
In the Brightspace editor, place the cursor where needed to insert an emoji. Click the other insert options icon in the editor. Other insert options icon Select Emojis from the drop-down menu. Drop-down menu within the other insert options icon In the Emojis pop-up, select an emoji. Search for emojis or sort by category
Add Equations
The Graphical Equation Editor enables users to insert mathematical equations within the Brightspace Editor. It supports the input of MathML, LaTeX, graphical, and chemistry equations.
Access the text-editor to create an equation in. Click the other insert options icon in the editor. Other insert options icon Click the Equation icon to see the equation options. Drop-down menu within other insert options icon From the Equation drop-down list, select which kind of equation to insert. Equation sub-menu accessed by clicking Equation In the Insert Equation window, enter the equation using keyboard characters and the cursor to select symbols from the tabs. Various mathematical and scientific options for creating equations Click Insert. Click Save or Publish or Update to save the work. The options will vary depending on which tool being used within the Text Editor.
Insert Code Snippets
With coding knowledge, users can spice up their content with various learning objects and content-structuring not normally supported by the basic Brightspace text-editor.
Access the Brightspace Editor and place the text cursor in the spot where needed to create a code snippet. Click the Other Insert Options icon in the editor toolbar. Other insert options icon Select Insert Code from the drop-down menu. Drop-down menu within other insert options icon Once select Insert Code from the menu, a source code editor will open in place of the text editor. Insert code window view Adjust the display settings: Select a coding language from the drop-down menu in the top right-hand corner. Click on the bullet icon to enable or disable line numbering. Toggle between dark mode and light mode using the moon/sun icon. Enter the code the same way as in a source code editor. Click on the code snippet to edit it after it has been inserted into the text editor Click the checkmark to save and insert the snippet into the HTML Editor.
Insert Symbols
Symbols include special characters such as currency, Latin, arrows, and more.
In the Brightspace editor, place the cursor where needed want to insert a symbol. Click the other insert options icon in the editor Other insert options icon Select Symbols from the drop-down menu. Drop down menu within other insert options icon In the Special Character pop-up, select the symbol to be inserted. Special characters can be searched for or sorted by category
Embed Multimedia
Insert an Image
Images can be a great way to break up text in a content space, as well as providing visual aid to learning material. Ensure alternative text is added if the image isn’t decorative.
Access the Brightspace Editor to add the image. Move the cursor to the location in the Brightspace Editor textbox where the images will be placed. Click the Insert Image button in the Editor toolbar Insert image button Choose the image location: If the image is on the computer, select the My Computer button. Choose the file from the computer and drag and drop it on the designated area, or click Upload to select the image from the computer, then click the selected image and click Add. If the image is located on the web, select URL. Enter or paste the web address for the image, then click Add. If the image is located within the course, select the Course Offering Files. Choose the file from the course files, then click Add. Once clicked Add, the system will prompt to add an alternative text for the image selected. To ensure that the image is accessible to all users, enter a short description of it in the Alternative Text field or check the ‘This image is decorative’ box if it is a decorative image. Select OK. Click Save or Publish or Update to save the work.
Insert a Quicklink
Quicklinks are direct links to existing files or activities in the Brightspace course that can be inserted anywhere the Brightspace Editor appears (descriptions, announcements, discussion forums, etc.). For example, an instructor could insert Quicklinks into a module description to link to assessments (Assignments, Quizzes, etc.) that students can complete for that particular week/module. Quicklinks can enhance course navigation and help make course files/activities easier for students to find.
Quicklinks can also be used as a method to insert an external link to a different website or article.
Note: It is recommended to use the Quicklink tool instead of copying and pasting a URL link. Quicklinks will continue to work if the content is exported or copied to another course.
Access the Brightspace Editor to add the Quicklink. Select the location for the link within the Brightspace editor textbox. Click the Insert Quicklink icon on the Editor toolbar. Insert Quicklink icon A pop-up window will open with two categories: Course Materials and Third Party. Insert Quicklink menu Select the course item intended for insert into the HTML Editor. The pop-up window will close and a URL will be generated. Continue to edit content in the Brightspace Editor. Click Save or Publish or Update to save the work. The options will vary depending on which tool being used within the editor.
